Adeel Mahmood wins Outstanding Ph.D. Thesis Research Award

Adeel Mahmood

Adeel Mahmood is the winner of this year's ECE Outstanding Ph.D. Thesis Research Award. The annual award is given to a graduating Ph.D. student from the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) based on the significance of their doctoral research. 

Mahmood’s research focuses on the two core pillars of information theory: data compression and channel coding. By introducing novel frameworks and challenging long-standing assumptions, Adeel aims to formulate more robust, practical, and adaptable models for modern applications. In data compression, he introduced new frameworks that redefined the fundamental performance limits of lossy compression, overturning results that had stood unchallenged for decades. In channel coding, Mahmood’s work proposed a novel cost model that superseded existing models and demonstrated new ways in which feedback can enhance communication performance.

“This award is particularly meaningful to me because my research revisits fundamental problems in classical information theory—an area that is often seen as having reached maturity decades ago,” said Mahmood. “Given that I pursued a more theoretical direction, I often faced uncertainty about my research impact because application-driven results tend to garner more attention in an engineering environment. Therefore, achieving this award reaffirmed my belief in the potential of these theoretical breakthroughs to reshape both fundamental insights and practical applications.”

Mahmood joined the Ph.D. program in Fall of 2019 with an interest in researching circuits and devices. “Over the summer he apparently decided to switch to information theory. I pulled up his application and saw a note from one of our colleagues describing him as ‘the best that Cornell has to offer;’ I was honored to take him on,” said Aaron Wagner, professor in electrical and computer engineering.

“It is rare to see a Ph.D. dissertation that leads to a paradigm shift in the field, as opposed to merely advancing the state of the art within existing paradigms,” said Wagner in his nomination letter. “Adeel's dissertation work has led to not one but two paradigm shifts. This is certainly unprecedented among my past students, and I venture it is very rare overall!”

The Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Committee reviews award nominations with oversight from the director of graduate studies. In addition to a cash prize, the name of the winner(s) will be added to a perpetual plaque located outside of the Director's office in Phillips Hall.

More Spotlights