Ranveer Chandra
Ranveer Chandra | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jamshedpur, India |
| Occupation(s) | Computer scientist, Managing Director of Microsoft Research for Industry, CTO for Agri-Food at Microsoft, affiliate professor at University of Washington |
| Known for | Wireless hardware virtualization, digital agriculture innovations, Project FarmBeats/Azure Data Manager for Agriculture |
Ranveer Chandra is an Indian American computer scientist who leads as the Managing Director of Microsoft's Research for Industry division and holds an affiliate professorship at the University of Washington. His expertise spans software-defined networking, wireless network technologies, and innovations in digital agriculture. Formerly, he was the Chief Scientist for Microsoft Azure Global and currently serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for Agri-Food at Microsoft.
Early life and education
Originally from Jamshedpur, India, Chandra completed his undergraduate studies with a B.Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. He then pursued and earned a PhD in Computer Science from Cornell University.
Work
Dr. Chandra began his professional journey at Microsoft Research located in Redmond, Washington. Among his significant contributions is the co-invention of wireless hardware virtualization, a technology that allows a single Wi-Fi adapter to connect concurrently to multiple networks. Developed alongside Victor Bahl, this breakthrough was integrated into Microsoft’s Virtual Wi-Fi feature introduced with Windows 7 (2009), improving both wireless connectivity and coverage.
He also spearheaded the white space networking initiative at Microsoft Research, sharing his research outcomes with agencies such as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). His efforts played a role in shaping FCC policies regarding TV white space spectrum, enabling expanded wireless access.
In 2015, Chandra initiated Project FarmBeats within Microsoft, which subsequently developed into Azure Data Manager for Agriculture (ADMA). This solution combines AI, edge computing, and IoT technologies to enhance agricultural efficiency and cut operational expenses through data-centric decision-making. FarmBeats has earned commendations from influential figures like Bill Gates, who emphasized its transformative potential in farming.
Chandra’s influence extends across major Microsoft platforms including Windows, Azure, Visual Studio, and Xbox. He has authored over 100 scholarly articles and holds upwards of 150 patents issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). His research citations exceed 23,000 according to Google Scholar metrics.
Research impact
Chandra is widely acknowledged for his proficiency in computer systems with a focus on networking, wireless communication, battery technology, and Internet of Things (IoT) frameworks. His AgTech innovations culminated in Microsoft Azure Data Manager for Agriculture (ADMA), which has been adopted by corporations such as Bayer and Land O’Lakes to implement digital agricultural solutions. His foundational publications on AI and GenAI applications in agriculture have propelled practical deployments by industry leaders including Bayer and ITC.
Professional service contributions
In addition to his research roles, Chandra participates on advisory boards for firms like Cropin and Terramera, supporting advancements in agricultural productivity and sustainability. He also contributes to advisory groups such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Technological Advisory Council (TAC) and the IoT Advisory Board at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Furthermore, he co-leads the World Economic Forum's Global Future Council focused on Food and Water Security.
His engagement with the National Academies includes delivering keynote addresses at events like the 2019 US-UK Scientific Forum on Sustainable Agriculture, serving on organizing committees for workshops on Dynamic Soil Information Systems, and holding membership within the National Academies Frontier of Engineering (FOE) program.
Recognition
Chandra has contributed to the doctoral committees of more than 15 candidates from prestigious universities including MIT, Stanford University, CMU, UT Austin, UIUC, University of Wisconsin, University of Washington, and ETH Zurich.
Ranveer has delivered keynote addresses at workshops organized by NSF and the USDA, and has also briefed the Secretary of Agriculture. His research has been highlighted in major media outlets such as The Economist, BBC, and The Globe and Mail.
He holds Fellow status with both the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
Awards
- Named an ACM Fellow in 2022
- Listed among Newsweek’s America's 50 Most Disruptive Innovators in 2021
- Awarded IEEE Fellow in 2020 for advancements in software-defined wireless networking
- Recipient of the USENIX ATC Award in 2015
- Recognized as one of the Innovators Under 35 in 2010
- Honored with the ACM SIGCOMM Award in 2009