Rakesh Agrawal MS’83, PhD’83, a visionary in data science and a pioneer in modern computing, has been named an inaugural recipient of the CDIS Distinguished Achievement Award. Agrawal, who earned his master’s and doctorate degrees in Computer Sciences from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1983, has transformed the field of data science with innovations that are as prolific as they are foundational.
Driven by the desire to make the world better through scientific breakthroughs and by building practical working systems, Agrawal has not only shaped industries but also fundamentally changed how data can be harnessed for knowledge and decision-making. As one of the foremost pioneers of data mining—a field focused on extracting meaningful patterns and insights from vast data sets—he has unlocked possibilities for industries ranging from healthcare and finance to e-commerce and beyond. By revealing patterns hidden within complex data, data mining fuels AI, enables predictive analytics, and drives strategic decision-making in businesses, research institutions, and government agencies worldwide.
Agrawal’s research has been a cornerstone in the evolution of data mining, helping it develop into a discipline that touches billions of lives each day. Known as a luminary of database and data mining technologies, he is the most-cited researcher in database systems and one of the most influential computer scientists globally, with over 140,000 citations to his work. His achievements include publishing the first and second most-cited papers in the fields of databases and data mining, papers recognized as among the most impactful in all of computer science.
Agrawal’s work goes beyond academic research; it has directly fueled new industries. His pioneering data mining concepts led IBM to create the Intelligent Miner, a groundbreaking product that opened up an entirely new software category. The technology’s influence extended into commercial products, including Microsoft Bing and IBM’s DB2 OLAP Server, driving advancements that now serve millions of users daily. For his contributions, Agrawal has been awarded numerous prestigious honors, including the Association for Computing Machinery’s (ACM) SIGKDD Innovation Award and the ACM-SIGMOD Edgar F. Codd Innovations Award.
Reflecting on his journey, Agrawal fondly recalls the mentorship he received at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. “My time at UW was profoundly impactful,” he shares. “Mentors like David DeWitt taught me what it meant to conduct research that changes the world. He often reminded me ‘You’ll do your best work when you leave here,’ and he was right—UW prepared me to think big and aim high.”
Indeed, “aim high” is advice Agrawal eagerly shares with the next generation of researchers. He believes that success lies in both the audacity to dream big and the dedication to pursue research that others can build upon. “Great work is work that inspires others. Your ideas don’t just belong to you—they become a foundation for others to innovate further,” he advises.
Beyond his technical achievements, Agrawal exemplifies the role of technology in societal advancement. As the founder of Data Insights Laboratories and the Professor Ram Kumar Memorial Foundation, he continues to drive initiatives that promote knowledge accessibility and technological empowerment. His influence has reached national and global scales, from advising on India’s educational system to participating in National Academy of Sciences studies that shape science and technology policies internationally.
Rakesh Agrawal’s contributions, both in pushing the boundaries of computing and in using technology as a force for good, are transformative. His dedication to innovation and impact serves as a profound inspiration to the entire UW–Madison community. Congratulations, Dr. Agrawal!