Reflections on my Research, Teaching, and Leading: Energy-Efficient, Reliable & Fun Computing Across the Hardware/Software Stack

Abstract:

Prof. Iris Bahar has been working on the design of computer systems for the past 3 decades.  Her research has led her to develop new approaches to reduce energy consumption and improve reliability in high-performance processors, specialized embedded systems, and computing systems designed with emerging technologies. More recently she has focused on the design of robotic systems, and how they can benefit from energy-efficient design techniques.  In this talk, Prof. Bahar will give an overview of some of her current research projects covering memory design techniques using near-memory-processing, and efficient use of machine learning techniques for robust scene perception.  She will also talk about her creation of new interdisciplinary courses that mix art, design, engineering, and computing.  Finally, she will share some of her thoughts and experiences growing a young, vibrant computer science department at the Colorado School of Mines.

Bio:

Iris Bahar received the B.S. and M.S. degrees in computer engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and the Ph.D. degree in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She recently joined the faculty at the Colorado School of Mines in January 2022 and serves as Department Head of Computer Science.  Before joining Mines, she was on the faculty at Brown University for 26 years and held dual appointments as Professor of Engineering and Professor of Computer Science.   Her research interests focus on energy-efficient and reliable computing, from the system level to device level.  Most recently this includes the design of robotics systems. She is the 2019 recipient of the Marie R. Pistilli Women in Engineering Achievement Award and the Brown University School of Engineering Award for Excellence in Teaching in Engineering.  More recently, she is the recipient of the 2022 University of Illinois ECE Department Distinguished Alumni Award and the 2024 IEEE Field Medal in Undergraduate Teaching.  She is an IEEE fellow and an ACM Distinguished Scientist.