Dr. Robert Pilawa Podgurski

Professor

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Biography

Robert Pilawa-Podgurski is currently a Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at the University of California, Berkeley. He is the founding director of the Berkeley Power Energy Center (BPEC). Prior to his current position, he served as an Associate Professor in Electrical Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He earned his BS, MEng, and PhD degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His research focuses on power electronics with a specific interest in renewable energy applications, electric vehicles, energy harvesting, CMOS power management, high density and high efficiency power converters, and advanced control of power converters. Pilawa-Podgurski has received several awards for his contributions in the field, including the Chorafas Award for an outstanding Master’s thesis at MIT, the Google Faculty Research Award in 2013, and the Richard M. Bass Outstanding Young Power Electronics Engineer Award from the IEEE Power Electronics Society. He has co-authored numerous prize papers and is a fellow of the IEEE. He has also received various teaching awards, recognizing his exceptional contributions in education throughout his academic career.

Research Interests

Requirements for University of California, Berkeley

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
GRE Subject
Overall Score
Required:500
Overall
Required:500
TOEFL
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree or recognized equivalent Preparation comparable to undergraduate major at Berkeley in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics 2 full years lower-division work (Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Multivariable Calculus) 8 one-semester upper-division courses (Real Analysis, Complex Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Linear Algebra)
Application Checklist
  • Graduate Application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Unofficial Transcripts
  • C.V./Resume
  • Course and Textbook List
Specialization Notes

The Mathematics Subject GRE is required for the Fall 2026 admissions cycle. General GRE is optional.