Kasturi Varadarajan, professor in the Department of Computer Science, received the Graduate College's Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award in 2024.
Varadarajan, an expert in algorithmic foundations, computational geometry, and combinatorial optimization, has served as a Director of Graduate Studies—leading the orientation of new graduate students and organizing professional development workshops for the department.
During his time at Iowa, Varadarajan has mentored 8 doctoral students to completion with a 9th now in progress. He has also advised over 70 master’s students on course choices needed for completion of their programs, as well as several non-computer science students transitioning to the program.
His award nominators stressed that all of his students are better for having known him and he is admired for the lasting relationships he creates.