Dr. Salman Avestimehr

Professor

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Biography

Salman Avestimehr is a Dean's Professor and inaugural director of the USC-Amazon Center for Secure Trusted Machine Learning. He is also the director of the vITAL research lab. He received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of California, Berkeley, in 2008, after obtaining his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Sharif University of Technology in 2003. Prior to his current position, he was an Assistant Professor at Cornell University and a postdoctoral scholar at the Center for Mathematics of Information at Caltech. His research focuses primarily on information theory, machine learning, distributed computing, secure private learning, and federated learning. Avestimehr has received several accolades, including the IEEE Information Theory Society's James L. Massey Research and Teaching Award and the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. He is also a Fellow of IEEE and has held editorial roles with reputable journals. He has been recognized for his contributions to research and teaching through various awards and is a prominent figure in his field.

Research Interests

Experience

Dean's Professor

2013-01-01 — Present

University of Southern California • Los Angeles, CA

Serving as a Dean's Professor and inaugural director of the USC-Amazon Center for Secure Trusted Machine Learning.

Assistant Professor

2009-01-01 — 2013-01-01

Cornell University • Ithaca, NY

Worked in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department.

Postdoctoral Scholar

2008-01-01 — 2009-01-01

Center for Mathematics of Information, Caltech • Pasadena, CA

Conducted research in information theory.

Awards

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Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers

2011-01-01
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IEEE Information Theory Society James L. Massey Research & Teaching Award

2019-01-01

Requirements for University of Southern California

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Listening
Required:20
Reading
Required:20
Writing
Required:20
Speaking
Required:20
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Listening
Required:6
Reading
Required:6
Writing
Required:6
Speaking
Required:6
Overall
Required:6.5
GRE General
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Math, or Hard Science
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Official transcripts
  • Personal Statement
  • Resume/CV
  • Letters of Recommendation (not required for MS CS, but allowed)
Specialization Notes

GRE is NOT required for Master's applicants for 2025-2026.