Ashwin Mohan, Ph.D.
Computer Science Faculty
Biography
Dr. Ashwin Mohan is an award winning educator, applied scientist, and STEM leader at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA). Dr. Mohan’s work resides at the intersection of computer science, artificial intelligence, and neuroscience, with a specific focus on translating advanced computational research into inquiry-based learning environments. This cross-collaboration has helped generate a fundamental understanding of structure-function relationships in biological systems using various computational approaches, including machine learning formulations.
As the Principal Investigator of the SYNAPSE Lab, Dr. Mohan has mentored over 50 student research projects, guiding learners through the complexities of experimental design, machine learning, and ethical review. His mentorship philosophy emphasizes accessible research and technology, ensuring that students from all backgrounds have the STEM tools to solve real-world problems. To date, he has secured over $35,000 in micro-grant funding to support student-led research and has been published in journals such as TeachEngineering and IEEE Transactions in Engineering Education
Prior to joining IMSA, he served as a Research Scientist in Biomedical Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis and taught at Glenbrook South High School. Dr. Mohan’s extensive background includes developing multi-scale computational models to study disease mechanisms and leading NSF-funded initiatives to bring neural engineering and robotics to rural K-12 communities. He is also the co-founder of a non-profit dedicated to fostering scientific collaboration between the USA and India. He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Missouri and a B.S. from the University of Bombay.