Human-Computer Interaction Scientist
Machine Learning Expert
Artificial Intelligence Researcher
Human-Centered Design Expert
Assistant Teaching Professor
Department of Computer Science
Director: Research Group on Data Driven Innovations for Human-Technology Symbiosis
Emory University
Dr. Nirmalya Thakur is currently working as an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Emory University, USA. He is also the Director of the Research Group on Data Driven Innovations for Human-Technology Symbiosis. Before joining Emory University, he was working as a Dean's Fellow at the University of Cincinnati, USA. Dr. Thakur received his Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of Cincinnati, USA. Prior to his Ph.D., he also received his Master of Science in Computer Science degree from the University of Cincinnati, USA. He has a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from KIIT University, India.
Dr. Thakur's research interests include Human-Computer Interaction, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Internet of Things, Pattern Recognition, and Natural Language Processing. He has co-authored 41 peer-reviewed publications (12 journal papers, 27 conference papers, and 2 invited book chapters) in these fields (Scopus H-index 9, 240 citations, Link to Scopus Profile). He has delivered 28 presentations as an invited speaker/presenter at international conferences and universities in 9 countries: the United States, Canada, China, France, Denmark, Nepal, Malaysia, Switzerland, and Indonesia. Dr. Thakur has received about $60,000 in research funding in the form of multiple fellowships and grants including a grant from the National Academy of Sciences.
Dr. Thakur is a globally celebrated scholar in the field of Computer Science and he has received several awards, honors, and recognitions both at a national and international level. He was recently featured on the cover page of Millennium Magazine . Prior to that, he was interviewed by IEEE TV for his contributions to the field of Computer Science. The groundbreaking findings of his research papers have been featured by Yahoo News, Business Insider, and multiple other news outlets. His long list of awards and accolades is a testament to the global appreciation of his contributions to advancing research, innovation, and discovery in the field of Computer Science. He received the Young Scientist of the Year Award at the 2nd International Business and Academic Excellence Awards, the Excellent Researcher of the Year Award at the 2nd International Academic and Research Excellence Awards, the Young Innovator Award at the 2nd Universal Innovators Leadership Awards, and the Best Presenter Award at the 5th International Conference on Data Science, and Information Technology. He was featured in the American Scientist Magazine after receiving a Grant in Aid of Research from the National Academy of Sciences and he has received certificates of appreciation from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the European Alliance for Innovation (EAI) for his outstanding contributions as a reviewer for their conferences (certificate from IEEE, certificate from EAI). His biography was also featured by Marquis Who’s Who in 2020 and in 2019 for his contributions to the field of Computer Science (2020 feature, 2019 feature).
He has also published 2 co-edited books titled - Human-Computer Interaction and Beyond: Advances Towards Smart and Interconnected Environments (Part I and Part II ). In addition to presenting latest research and development in the field of Human-Computer Computer, the books celebrate the diversity in computing in this field as the chapters (both parts combined) are co-authored by experts in this field from 15 countries: Albania, Chile, China, Croatia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Spain, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Dr. Thakur has received about $60,000 in research funding in the form of multiple fellowships and grants.
At a university level, he received the Risk Management Award, Distinguished Thesis Award, Engineer of the Month Award, and the Interdisciplinary Research Fellowship award from the University of Cincinnati between 2017 to 2021. He was also one of the finalists of the highly competitive U.S. National Academy of Medicine (NAM)'s Healthy Longevity Catalyst Award Competition.
Dr. Thakur is known to bring out the best in his students. He has taught different courses both at Emory University and the University of Cincinnati as well as delivered invited webinars at other universities such as Northern Kentucky University, LBEF Campus, Nepal, and the Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation, Malaysia. He has supervised several students on research projects. Three of his students co-authored conference papers earlier this year and presented the same at an international conference. Two of his students also received a fellowship by following his guidance and mentorship. The following is a review posted by one of his students on RateMyProfessor – "The BEST professor I have ever had. Labs and Zybooks homework every week but super manageable. A couple of the labs are pretty difficult but he is super helpful and always willing to meet with students to help them even outside of his office hours. Amazing professor would highly recommend" and there are several such reviews from his students which are available in the course evaluations (available upon request) of the courses he has taught.
He is highly active in the scientific community in different roles. He serves as an editorial board member of the journals - Human Factors in Healthcare (Elsevier), Journal of Technology and Disability, (IOS Press), Journal of Technology and Healthcare, (IOS Press), and International Journal of Business Intelligence and Data Mining (Inderscience Publishers). He has served as a Scientific Advisory Board Co-Chair for 3 conferences. He has served as a Technical Committee Member for 28 international conferences that took place in the last 4 years in China, Taiwan, South Korea, Denmark, and Japan. He has also reviewed papers for several journals including - IEEE Access, IEEE Systems Journal, Journal of Internet of Things (Elsevier), Journal of Building Engineering (Elsevier), Proceedings of the ACM on Interactive, Mobile, Wearable, and Ubiquitous Technologies, and Journal of Future Robot Life (IOS Press). In addition to the above, he serves as a Full Member of SigmaXi (nominated), member of IEEE, member of ACM, member of IEEE Sensors Council, and member of IEEE Systems Council.
Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering
University of Cincinnati, USA
Specialization: Human-Computer Interaction
Thesis: A Human-Centered Activity Aware Framework for Adaptive Ambient Assisted Living
Advisor: Dr. Chia Y. Han
M.S. in Computer Science
University of Cincinnati, USA
Specialization: Human-Computer Interaction
Thesis: Framework for a Context Aware Adaptive Intelligent Assistant for Activities of Daily Living
Advisor: Dr. Chia Y. Han
B.Tech in Electrical Engineering
KIIT University, India
Open Position: The Research Group on Data Driven Innovations for Human-Technology Symbiosis is currently looking for a motivated undergraduate student to work on a Big Data project. If you are an undergraduate student at Emory University majoring in Computer Science and interested in this position, please send your resume to Dr. Thakur at nirmalya.thakur@emory.edu to apply for this position