# Srinivas Akella

> academic, Computer Scientist, Professor of Computer Science, researcher

**Wikidata**: [Q95984056](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q95984056)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/srinivas-akella

## Summary
Srinivas Akella is a computer scientist and academic currently serving as a Professor of Computer Science at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. His career spans significant research and teaching roles at institutions including Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Carnegie Mellon University, where he earned his Ph.D. He is recognized for his contributions to research and education in computer science.

## Biography
- **Education:**
    - Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University (1989–1996)
    - Master of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University (End date: 1993)
    - Bachelor of Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (1985–1989)
- **Known for:** Computer Science research and academia.
- **Employer(s):**
    - University of North Carolina at Charlotte (Professor, 2009–Present)
    - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Professor, 2000–2008)
    - University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign (Fellow, 1996–1999)
    - Carnegie Mellon University (Research Assistant, 1989–1996)
    - Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Internship, 1992)
- **Field(s):** Computer Science, Academic Research.
- **Work Location:** Charlotte, North Carolina.
- **Languages:** English.

## Contributions
Srinivas Akella has contributed to the field of computer science through a combination of academic instruction, research, and publication. His work bridges computational theory and practical application, notably in areas requiring complex digital systems.

One specific area of his research involves the application of computer science to biological systems. He is credited with contributing to the work "Toward an artificial Golgi: redesigning the biological activities of heparan sulfate on a digital microfluidic chip." This project explores the intersection of digital microfluidics and biology, aiming to replicate biological processes synthetically.

Beyond specific research projects, Akella has maintained a continuous presence in academia. He has held teaching and research positions at several high-ranking technical institutions, including Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and Carnegie Mellon University. His role involves mentoring students and advancing the academic mission of the computer science departments he has served.

## FAQs

### Q: What is Srinivas Akella's current academic position?
A: Srinivas Akella currently serves as a Professor of Computer Science at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, a position he has held since 2009.

### Q: Where did Srinivas Akella receive his education?
A: He earned his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and Master of Computer Science degrees from Carnegie Mellon University. He completed his Bachelor of Technology at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras.

### Q: What specific research area has Srinivas Akella worked on?
A: His research includes work on digital microfluidics, specifically contributing to projects such as the development of an "artificial Golgi" on a digital microfluidic chip for redesigning biological activities.

### Q: Has Srinivas Akella worked in industry?
A: While primarily an academic, he held an internship with the Ministry of International Trade and Industry in 1992 and has conducted extensive research assistantship work during his time at Carnegie Mellon University.

## Why They Matter
Srinivas Akella represents the vital link between computer science education and interdisciplinary research. His long-standing tenure as a professor at institutions like the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute highlights his role in training the next generation of computer scientists. By transitioning from a student at IIT Madras and Carnegie Mellon to a professor and researcher, he has contributed to the academic ecosystem for over three decades.

His work matters because it applies computational principles to complex problems, such as those found in biology (e.g., the artificial Golgi project). This demonstrates the versatility of computer science in solving problems outside traditional software engineering. His sustained employment and progression in academia underscore his reliability and importance as an educator and researcher in the United States.

## Notable For
- **Professor of Computer Science:** Holding a senior academic role at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
- **Carnegie Mellon Alumnus:** Earning both a Ph.D. and Master’s degree from the prestigious Carnegie Mellon University.
- **Interdisciplinary Research:** Contributing to the field of digital microfluidics with applications in synthetic biology.
- **Academic Leadership:** Having served as a professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) prior to his current role.
- **Global Academic Experience:** Having educational and fellowship experiences spanning institutions in India (IIT Madras), the U.S. (CMU, UIUC), and Japan (Ministry of International Trade and Industry).

## Body

### Education and Early Career
Srinivas Akella laid a strong foundation for his career in computer science at the **Indian Institute of Technology Madras**, where he earned his **Bachelor of Technology** degree in 1989. Following this, he moved to the United States to attend **Carnegie Mellon University**, a leading institution in the field. He served as a **Research Assistant** at Carnegie Mellon from 1989 to 1996, during which time he earned both his **Master of Computer Science** (1993) and his **Doctor of Philosophy** (1996).

During his doctoral studies in 1992, Akella expanded his horizons internationally by completing an **internship** with the **Ministry of International Trade and Industry**.

### Academic Appointments
Upon completing his Ph.D., Akella continued his academic trajectory:
- **1996–1999:** Served as a **Fellow** at the **University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign**.
- **2000–2008:** Joined **Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute** as a **Professor**.
- **2009–Present:** Appointed **Professor** of Computer Science at the **University of North Carolina at Charlotte**.

### Research and Professional Identity
Akella is identified primarily as a **computer scientist**, **researcher**, and **university teacher**. His research interests include computer science applications in other domains. A notable work attributed to him is the paper/project titled *"Toward an artificial Golgi: redesigning the biological activities of heparan sulfate on a digital microfluidic chip."*

He maintains active profiles in the academic community, with identifiers on **Google Scholar**, **DBLP**, and **LinkedIn**. He is affiliated with the **WikiProject Mathematics** and various WikiProjects related to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

## References

1. [University of North Carolina at Charlotte](https://cci.uncc.edu/directory/srinivas-akella)
2. [curriculum vitae](https://webpages.uncc.edu/sakella/)
3. [curriculum vitae](https://webpages.uncc.edu/sakella/Akella.webCV.pdf)
4. [International Standard Name Identifier](https://isni.org/isni/0000000055568614)
5. [Virtual International Authority File](http://viaf.org/viaf/33990841)
6. [Library of Congress](http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/nb2008017063)
7. Virtual International Authority File
8. [ORCID, Inc.](https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4706-4610)
9. [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sakella/)
10. University of North Carolina at Charlotte
11. NUKAT
12. zbMATH Open
13. [Google Scholar](https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=vPOJwdkAAAAJ)
14. Toward an artificial Golgi: redesigning the biological activities of heparan sulfate on a digital microfluidic chip