R. Srikant, an IIT Madras alumnus, has been appointed the new director of the National Center for Supercomputing Applications, a leading hub for high-performance computing and data science.
Indian-born engineering scholar R. Srikant has taken the helm as the new director of the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA), one of the world’s foremost centers for high-performance computing and data science. His appointment marks a significant milestone for the center as it continues to play a crucial role in advancing research in various fields.
Srikant, who holds the Grainger Distinguished Chair in Engineering and is a professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, officially assumed his role on January 1, 2026. He succeeds Bill Gropp, the previous director, and also serves as co-director of the C3.ai Digital Transformation Institute, which is a collaborative effort with the University of California, Berkeley.
His journey to leading NCSA began in India, where he established his academic foundation at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. After earning his undergraduate degree in 1985, Srikant moved to the United States to pursue advanced studies at the University of Illinois, where he joined the faculty in 1995.
Srikant’s deep connections to both his alma mater and his early education in India have significantly influenced his career, which is characterized by the integration of complex theoretical mathematics with practical technological applications.
His new role at NCSA comes at a critical juncture, as artificial intelligence and extensive data processing are becoming increasingly vital to global research initiatives. NCSA is tasked with providing the infrastructure necessary to support breakthroughs in diverse areas, including genomics and climate modeling.
“I’m very excited to begin this new journey with NCSA,” Srikant expressed. “My focus is on supporting our excellent researchers and staff, strengthening collaboration across the center, and ensuring that NCSA continues to thrive in its research, service, and impact missions.”
NCSA is not unfamiliar territory for Srikant. He previously served as the acting director of operations at NCSA for several months in 2023 and has engaged in numerous research collaborations between his home department and the high-performance computing experts at NCSA.
His research interests encompass a wide range of topics, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, communication networks, quantum computing, and applied probability. Srikant has received significant recognition for his work on the mathematical analysis and design of algorithms for the internet, wireless networks, and data centers. His accolades include the IEEE Koji Kobayashi Field Award for Computers and Communications and the ACM SIGMETRICS Achievement Award. Additionally, he is a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
For Srikant, this new role represents a full-circle moment in a career that began with a degree in Chennai and has now culminated in a leadership position at a premier American computational research institution. His vision for NCSA is poised to drive innovation and collaboration in the rapidly evolving landscape of supercomputing and data science.
According to The American Bazaar, Srikant’s leadership is expected to enhance NCSA’s impact on research and technology development.