McCormick faculty profile: Prem Kumar

Name/Title
Prem Kumar, SBC Professor of Information Technology

Hometown
I grew up in New Delhi, India; came to the US in 1976 to attend school and have stayed.

Departments
Joint appointment in Electrical and Computer Engineering (McCormick School of Engineering); and Physics and Astronomy (Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences)

Current project
I have several research projects. Please see my Web site http://www.ece.northwestern.edu/~kumarp

Recent/notable publications, awards, honors, exhibits
Elected Fellow of the Institute of Electrical Engineers, American Physical Society, the Optical Society of America, and The Institute of Physics

Hobbies
I like to read and travel and I enjoy playing chess and ping-pong. Also I coach little league soccer.

Questions and Answers

What is the best thing about being a teacher at Northwestern?

Great student body, both undergrad and grad. The students are ambitious and motivated.

How does your research influence your teaching?

I like to bring the latest thinking to the classroom. At the Center for Photonic Communication and Computing, which I direct, there is lots of exciting work going on in areas of ultrahigh speed fiber-optic communication, quantum communication and cryptography, and quantum computing. The constantly evolving research thinking is great for motivating students in classes, as it allows them to not only critically examine what is state-of-the-art, but also see what lies ahead.

Do you have a favorite teacher-student experience you'd like to share?

Over the years there have been many experiences that are worth remembering. One that stands out pertains to a student named Laura Tiefenbruck. About four years ago, as a junior she stopped by my office to inquire what my research was about. After talking to her for about half hour or so, I was convinced that she was aspiring to see beyond what is taught in classes. Fortunately, I was looking for an undergraduate student to work in my lab during that summer. The rest, as they say, is history. Laura went on to win a highly competitive four-year scholarship from Lucent Technologies to attend graduate school. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. at MIT.

If you weren't a teacher, what would you be doing?

I have never seen myself in any other role. When I became a teaching assistant in graduate school, it became obvious to me that the best way to learn is through teaching. When I discuss ideas like teleportation, EPR (Einstein Podolsky and Rosen) paradox, quantum entanglement, etc. with the undergraduates, it forces me to think carefully about the quantum physics involved, so I can explain the subtle concepts in a simple way, while being accurate in their implications. Over the years, I myself have learned things more deeply in this way than is possible by just researching and discussing with the experts only.

What is your favorite spot on campus?

Aside from my office and my lab, I like to take walks along the lake in summer time. Having an academic meeting with a student while walking along the lake is sheer fun.

Prem Kumar

Prem Kumar