Mosharaf Chowdhury receives David E. Liddle Research Excellence Award

Mosharaf Chowdhury, associate professor of computer science and engineering, has received the David E. Liddle Research Excellence Award. Given by the College of Engineering, the award recognizes researchers whose work has profoundly influenced their field.

Chowdhury is celebrated for his pioneering work in artificial intelligence (AI) and distributed systems, where his research tackles crucial challenges related to energy efficiency, computational performance, and data privacy. His leadership in the ML.Energy Initiative, which involves collaboration with researchers from top institutions including MIT and Carnegie Mellon University, has been transformative and led to breakthroughs in reducing the energy requirements of AI processes. In addition, his group’s work in quantifying and reducing the environmental impact of AI—embodied by the widely adopted Zeus and Perseus systems—has made significant strides in creating a more sustainable future for AI technologies.

The impact of work extends beyond academia, with tangible applications in industry. His innovative solutions for efficient AI systems have been deployed at major technology companies such as Meta, Google, and Microsoft, showing the real-world applicability and importance of his work.

“Mosharaf’s work in the ML Energy Initiative is nothing short of transformative,” said Z. Morley Mao, professor in CSE. “In a world increasingly reliant on AI, these areas are not merely important; they are existential to ensuring equitable access, sustainability, and responsible development.”

In addition to his research accomplishments, Chowdhury is an inspiring educator, developing popular courses such as CSE 585: Advanced Scalable Systems, which focuses on systems for large-scale AI and data science.

Throughout his career, Chowdhury has earned numerous accolades, including best paper awards at prestigious conferences and multiple recognitions from organizations that include Google and Meta. His impressive publication record, with over 28,000 citations, highlights the broad influence of his work across both academic and industrial communities.

By establishing game-changing systems for memory disaggregation, energy-optimized AI, and AI infrastructure in general, Chowdhury continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in computing, delivering solutions that are both innovative and essential for future technological progress.