Farnam Jahanian

Farnam Jahanian is an Iranian-American computer scientist, academic administrator, and researcher renowned for his work in dependable computing and cybersecurity. He has held significant leadership positions at Carnegie Mellon University and played a pivotal role in shaping national science policy through service on key federal advisory boards. His career spans foundational academic research, entrepreneurial ventures, and high-level stewardship of major research universities in the United States.

Early life and education

Born in Tehran, Iran, Jahanian immigrated to the United States for his higher education. He completed his undergraduate studies in computer science at the University of Texas at Austin, earning a Bachelor of Science degree. He then pursued graduate studies, receiving a Master of Science and a Doctor of Philosophy in computer science from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His doctoral dissertation focused on issues central to fault-tolerant computing and system reliability, laying the groundwork for his future research trajectory.

Academic career

Jahanian began his academic career as a professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. During his tenure at Michigan, he co-founded Arbor Networks, a cybersecurity company that developed innovative network security and traffic monitoring technologies. He later joined Carnegie Mellon University, where he held the Edward S. Davidson Collegiate Professorship in the School of Computer Science. His academic leadership at CMU included serving as head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and later as the university's Vice President for Research.

Research and contributions

Jahanian's research has made substantial contributions to the fields of dependable computing, cyber-physical systems, and network security. His early work involved developing formal methods and runtime verification techniques to ensure the reliability and safety of critical distributed systems. He conducted pioneering studies on internet routing stability and large-scale network anomalies, research that directly informed the development of commercial intrusion detection systems. His later investigations extended into the security of cyber-physical infrastructure and the trustworthiness of autonomous systems, influencing both academic literature and practical engineering applications.

Leadership roles

Jahanian ascended to the role of Provost and Chief Academic Officer at Carnegie Mellon University in 2015, overseeing all academic and research programs across its campuses in Pittsburgh, Qatar, and Rwanda. In 2017, he was appointed President of Carnegie Mellon University, guiding the institution's strategic vision, fostering interdisciplinary initiatives, and strengthening its global partnerships. Beyond CMU, he has served in influential advisory capacities, including as a member of the National Science Board, which governs the National Science Foundation, and on the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology during the Obama administration.

Awards and honors

Jahanian has been recognized by several prestigious professional organizations for his research and leadership. He is an elected fellow of both the Association for Computing Machinery and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. He has received the IEEE Computer Society Technical Achievement Award for his contributions to dependable computing and network security. His service to national science policy was further acknowledged through his appointment to the National Science Board and his receipt of the Computing Research Association's Distinguished Service Award.

Category:American computer scientists Category:Carnegie Mellon University faculty Category:University of Michigan faculty Category:Iranian emigrants to the United States Category:Cybersecurity researchers