Prasad Tetali Named Head of Department of Mathematical Sciences

Prasad Tetali has been named the Alexander M. Knaster Professor and Head of the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University’s Mellon College of Science.  

“I’m excited to join Carnegie Mellon and its renowned Department of Mathematical Sciences,” said Tetali. “As department head, I aim to broaden and maintain the excellent standard in research and commitment to high-quality education and outreach. I am also committed to improving on all aspects of diversity, equity and inclusion for the members of our community.”

Tetali comes to Carnegie Mellon from Georgia Tech, where he has been a member of the School of Mathematics faculty since 1994 and held a joint appointment in the College of Computing since 2000. There, he was a Regents’ Professor and director of the algorithms, combinatorics and optimization Ph.D. program. As an educator, he has advised many doctoral students, postdoctoral fellows and undergraduate students.

Tetali’s research focuses on probability theory, discrete mathematics and approximation algorithms. He has published more than 100 research papers and given numerous invited lectures in his fields of expertise. Among his research honors, Tetali was named a fellow of both the American Mathematical Society and the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics.

Prior to joining Georgia Tech, Tetali earned his bachelor’s degree from Andhra University in India, his master’s degree in computer science and automation from the Indian Institute of Science and his doctoral degree from New York University’s Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences. He completed postdoctoral work at AT&T Bell Labs.

“Prasad will continue the forward-thinking vision and ingenuity that has made the Department of Mathematical Sciences one of the most creative and respected in the country,” said Rebecca W. Doerge, Glen de Vries Dean of the Mellon College of Science. “The department’s well-earned reputation, focus on both pure mathematics and interdisciplinary studies, and top-notch people allow Carnegie Mellon to attract some of the most sought-after undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty and staff to Pittsburgh. Prasad is among the best and the brightest and we look forward to welcoming him to the Mellon College of Science.”

Tetali succeeds Professor Tom Bohman, who is returning to the faculty to focus on his research and teaching after being department head for 10 years. Tetali will begin his tenure at Carnegie Mellon on July 1.