Grad student Rishika Varma Kalidindi receives Moeller Award

Rishika Varma Kalidindi, a master’s student in computer science and engineering (CSE), has been selected to receive the Moeller Award. Given by the CSE Graduate Committee, the award is named in honor of U-M alum Christopher Moeller, a distinguished software developer who has made significant contributions to higher education via scholarships and other initiatives. The award recognizes students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievements, a commitment to social responsibility, and mentorship or leadership in the academic community.

A first-year master’s student at U-M, Rishika has already demonstrated a dedication to advancing the field of computer science, excelling in both her coursework and research endeavors. She currently conducts research in the Order Lab under the guidance of Prof. Ryan Huang. Her primary focus is the development of fault tolerant systems, utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as eBPF to improve software reliability. Her research has already resulted in a co-authored paper submission to OSDI, a leading conference in computer systems.

In addition to her technical skills, Rishika has a track record of leadership and mentorship service. She has actively participated in initiatives to support students, both at U-M and in the broader academic community. For instance, while working as a software engineer at Google before coming to U-M, she contributed greatly to supporting her fellow interns, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, by offering guidance and sharing her own experiences to help them navigate their projects and career paths.

The Moeller Award will allow Rishika to further her research goals while continuing her involvement in mentorship, paving the way for a future in academia or industry, as she considers pursuing a PhD.