Logo: University of Southern California

Milind Tambe Named a 2013 ACM Fellow

Tambe honored for transformative advances in computing
By: Megan Hazle
December 10, 2013 —
Milind Tambe, USC Viterbi Professor of Computer Science and Industrial Systems Engineering

Milind Tambe, Professor of Computer Science and Industrial and Systems Engineering, has been selected as an Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Fellow for his contributions to theory and practice of multiagent systems, teamwork, and security games. Tambe was previously awarded the ACM Autonomous Agents Research Award in 2005.

“We recognize these scientists and engineers, creators and builders, theorists and practitioners who are making a difference in our lives,” said ACM President Vinton G. Cerf. “They’re enabling us to listen, learn, calculate, and communicate in ways that underscore the benefits of the digital age. Their advances have led to opportunities for improved healthcare, enhanced security, expanded interactions, and enriched lifestyles.”

This year, ACM recognized 50 of its members as ACM Fellows for their contributions to computing that are driving innovations across multiple domains and disciplines. The organization’s most prestigious member grade recognizes the top 1% of ACM members for their outstanding accomplishments in computing and information technology and/or outstanding service to ACM and the larger computing community. Candidates for Fellow must have 5 years of continuous Professional Membership.

“At USC Viterbi Computer Science, we are very proud of Milind for his work in the broad area of autonomous agents,” said Gaurav Sukhatme, Professor and Chair of Computer Science at USC Viterbi. “His insights into agent design have led to systems with impact on diverse fields – the very embodiment of Engineering+.”

Milind Tambe is the Director of USC Viterbi’s Teamcore Research Group on Agents and Multiagent Systems, which is focused on conducting research that aims to solve real-world problems of security, sustainability, and safety. He is also a researcher at the USC National Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events (CREATE), where his team developed a security games framework and algorithms based on game theory to optimize the use of limited security resources, a framework that includes intelligently randomized schedules for patrol teams. This ARMOR system has been deployed by the U.S. Coast Guard in a number of cities across the country, including Boston, New York, and Los Angeles, by the U.S. Federal Air Marshals, and by airport security departments such as LAX airport police.

“I thank the ACM for this wonderful honor,” said Tambe. “I am as always very grateful to my research team for their terrific teamwork.”