Dr. Raj Reddy

Mozah Bint Nasser University Professor of Computer Science and Robotics, Founder of the Institute for Software Research

The Institute for Software Research was founded in 1999 by Professor Raj Reddy, after serving as Dean of the School of Computer Science, 1991-99, and as founding Director of the Robotics Institute, 1979-91.

Dr. Reddy's accomplishments are legendary. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He was president of the American Association for Artificial Intelligence, 1987-89. He was awarded the Legion of Honor by French President Mitterand in 1984, the Bronze Tower by Korean President Kim Dae-jung in 2002, the ACM Turing Award in 1994, the Okawa Prize in 2004, the Honda Prize in 2005, and the Vannevar Bush Award in 2006. He served as co-chair of the President's Information Technology Advisory Committee under U.S. Presidents Clinton and Bush, 1999-2001.

In ISR, Reddy has led efforts in Carnegie Mellon's Million Book Universal Digital Library projects with India, China, and other countries, and helped establish Carnegie Mellon campuses in Silicon Valley and in Qatar.

Dr. William L. Scherlis

Director of Institute for Software Research, Founding Director of PhD in Software Engineering, Professor of School of Computer Science

Professor William L. Scherlis became Director of ISR in 2005. Previously in ISR, he founded the PhD program in Software Engineering and conducted research on software assurance, software evolution, and collaboration for software teams.

During 1987-93, he was the senior executive for software research at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and since 1993, he led the High Dependability Computer Project for NASA, and has led research for the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security. He has also served on committees for the National Research Council and DARPA, and has testified before Congress on innovation, information technology, and the roles for Federal CIOs.

John Kang

Director of Asia Collaboration

Since 2002, John Kang led ISR's Executive Program Office under Carnegie Mellon's Strategic Plan, to expand the University's international impact through academic programs, executive education and training, and corporate relationships, which build from Carnegie Mellon's existing strengths.