100 Famous UC Berkeley Professors [2026]

The University of California, Berkeley has long stood at the center of global scholarship and innovation, pairing a storied public-university mission with a research culture that routinely shapes modern life. From Nobel- and Turing-level breakthroughs to influential work in law, public policy, humanities, and the social sciences, Berkeley’s faculty have helped define entire disciplines while mentoring generations of leaders, builders, and thinkers. What makes Berkeley especially distinctive is the way its professors blend rigorous inquiry with real-world impact—advancing frontier research, informing policy, founding companies, and elevating public understanding through teaching, writing, and civic engagement.

To help readers discover the scholars who give Berkeley its intellectual edge, we’ve curated this list of famous UC Berkeley professors across departments and domains, prioritizing widely recognized faculty who are actively contributing to the university’s academic community. DigitalDefynd’s compilation of famous UC Berkeley professors highlights educators and researchers known for landmark discoveries, influential ideas, and exceptional teaching—offering a practical starting point for anyone exploring Berkeley’s academic strengths, areas of excellence, and the minds shaping what comes next.

 

100 Famous UC Berkeley Professors [2026]

No.	Name	Position at UC Berkeley	Domain / Recognition
1	Jennifer A. Doudna	Professor of Chemistry & Molecular Biology	Co-inventor of CRISPR gene editing; Nobel (2020)
2	Janet L. Yellen	Professor Emerita, Haas School of Business	U.S. Treasury Secretary; first female Fed Chair
3	Robert B. Reich	Professor of Public Policy (Emeritus)	U.S. Labor Secretary (Clinton admin); inequality author
4	David Card	Professor of Economics	Labor economist; Nobel Prize in Economics (2021)
5	Stuart J. Russell	Professor of Computer Science (EECS)	AI pioneer; co-author of AI: A Modern Approach; founded Center for Human-Compatible AI
6	Saul Perlmutter	Professor of Physics	Astrophysicist; Nobel Prize in Physics (2011) for discovering accelerating universe
7	Randy W. Schekman	Professor of Molecular & Cell Biology	Cell biologist; Nobel Prize in Medicine (2013) for protein secretion research
8	George A. Akerlof	Prof. Emeritus of Economics	Macroeconomist; Nobel Prize in Economics (2001) for asymmetric information theory
9	Michael I. Jordan	Prof. of EECS and Statistics (Distinguished)	Machine learning pioneer; named “most influential computer scientist” (Science, 2016)
10	Pieter Abbeel	Professor of EECS	AI and robotics expert; leader in deep reinforcement learning and robot learning
11	David A. Patterson	Prof. Emeritus of EECS	Computer architect; co-inventor of RISC; Turing Award (2017)
12	Shafi Goldwasser	Professor of EECS; Dir. of Simons Institute	Cryptographer; Turing Award (2012); co-inventor of zero-knowledge proofs
13	Richard M. Karp	Prof. Emeritus of EECS	Theorist in algorithms; Turing Award (1985) for NP-completeness theory
14	Jitendra Malik	Professor of EECS	Computer vision pioneer; developed influential algorithms in image recognition
15	Scott Shenker	Professor of EECS	Networking & internet architecture leader; co-founder of software-defined networking
16	Ion Stoica	Professor of EECS	Distributed systems expert; co-founder of Apache Spark & Databricks
17	Umesh Vazirani	Professor of EECS	Quantum computing pioneer; known for work in quantum algorithms and complexity
18	Krste Asanović	Professor of EECS	Computer architect; co-developer of RISC-V open ISA; co-director, ADEPT Lab
19	Erwin Chemerinsky	Dean & Professor of Law	Constitutional law scholar; author of leading texts; public commentator on Supreme Court
20	Judith Butler	Prof. Emerita of Comp. Lit. & Critical Theory	Philosopher and gender theorist; author of Gender Trouble; influential in feminist theory
21	Ruzena Bajcsy	Professor Emerita of EECS	Robotics and AI pioneer; founding director of CITRIS institute
22	Barry Eichengreen	Professor of Economics	Economic historian; expert on global finance and the Great Depression
23	Christina Romer	Professor of Economics	Economic historian; former Chair of President Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers
24	Emmanuel Saez	Professor of Economics	Economist known for inequality and tax research; John Bates Clark Medalist
25	Hal R. Varian	Prof. Emeritus (Info. & Econ.)	Information economist; Google’s chief economist; author of microeconomics textbook
26	Maurice Obstfeld	Professor of Economics	International economist; former Chief Economist of the IMF; expert on global capital flows
27	George Lakoff	Prof. Emeritus of Linguistics	Cognitive linguist; known for conceptual metaphor theory and political framing (Don’t Think of an Elephant!)
28	Arlie R. Hochschild	Prof. Emerita of Sociology	Sociologist; author of The Second Shift and Strangers in Their Own Land on work and emotions
29	Alison Gopnik	Professor of Psychology	Developmental psychologist; expert on children’s learning; author of The Philosophical Baby
30	Alexei Filippenko	Professor of Astronomy	Astrophysicist; expert on supernovae; 9-time “Best Professor” award winner at Berkeley
31	Daniel Kammen	Professor of Energy (ERG)	Energy and climate policy expert; former U.S. State Dept. science envoy; renewable energy advocate
32	Inez Fung	Professor of Atmospheric Science	Climate scientist; pioneering climate modeler studying carbon cycles and climate change
33	Jay D. Keasling	Professor of Chem. & Bioengineering	Synthetic biology pioneer; engineered microbes to produce anti-malarial drug; National Medal of Science laureate
34	Omar Yaghi	Professor of Chemistry	Chemist known for Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs); “molecular sponge” materials
35	Peidong Yang	Professor of Chemistry	Nanomaterials chemist; invented semiconductor nanowire arrays for artificial photosynthesis
36	Laura D. Tyson	Prof. Emerita of Business & Public Policy	Economist; former Chair of President Clinton’s Council of Economic Advisers; expert in trade and competitiveness
37	David Teece	Prof. Emeritus of Business (Haas)	Scholar of management and strategy; known for “dynamic capabilities” framework in business innovation
38	Dawn Song	Professor of EECS	Computer security and privacy expert; MacArthur Fellow for work in cybersecurity and deep learning
39	S. Shankar Sastry	Professor of EECS	Control systems and robotics expert; former Dean of Engineering; developed autonomous and cyber-physical systems
40	Ula Taylor	Professor of African American Studies	Historian and author on Black women’s history; Distinguished Teaching Award recipient
41	Edward Frenkel	Professor of Mathematics	Mathematician (representation theory); author of bestselling book Love and Math; known for engaging math outreach
42	Venkat Anantharam	Professor of EECS	Electrical engineer; expert in information theory, stochastic networks, and communication systems
43	Susan Marqusee	Professor of Biochemistry (MCB)	Biophysicist; discovered fundamentals of protein folding; former Director of QB3 institute
44	James Demmel	Professor of Mathematics & Computer Science	Computer scientist and mathematician; known for numerical linear algebra (LAPACK); ACM/IEEE Ken Kennedy Award winner
45	Dan Garcia	Teaching Professor of EECS	Renowned computer science instructor; developer of CS10 (The Beauty and Joy of Computing); multiple teaching awards
46	John DeNero	Teaching Professor of EECS	Hugely popular CS instructor; co-developer of Berkeley’s CS61A curriculum and online learning tools
47	Terry Johnson	Teaching Professor of Bioengineering	Award-winning bioengineering educator; known for engaging lectures and the book Teaching Introductory Biology
48	Kathryn Abrams	Professor of Law	Scholar of constitutional law, gender, and social movements; former director of Berkeley’s Center on Reproductive Rights
49	Alessandro Chiesa	Assistant Professor of EECS	Computer scientist; co-inventor of zk-SNARK cryptography; co-founder of StarkWare Industries
50	Tsu-Jae King Liu	Dean of Engineering; Professor of EECS	Semiconductor devices expert; co-inventor of the FinFET transistor; first female Dean of Berkeley Engineering
51	John Connelly	Professor of History (Sidney Hellman Ehrman Professor)	Modern East & Central European history; nationalism and comparative education (director of Institute of East European, Eurasian, and Slavic Studies).
52	Thomas James Dandelet	Professor of History	Early modern European history (specialist in Spanish and Italian Renaissance history).
53	Brian DeLay	Associate Professor of History	U.S. history, particularly the American West, borderlands and the international arms trade in the 19th century.
54	Michael Christ	Professor of Mathematics	Mathematical analysis and partial differential equations (prominent researcher in harmonic analysis).
55	Vinod K. Aggarwal	Professor of Political Science and Business (Business & Public Policy)	International political economy and business strategy (expert on trade policy and global supply chains).
56	Beverly Z. Alexander	Faculty, Economic Analysis & Policy, Haas School of Business	Clean energy and sustainable business (leads Cleantech to Market program, focusing on environmental innovation in business).
57	Ned Augenblick	Associate Professor of Economic Analysis & Policy, Haas School of Business	Behavioral economics and political economy (research on decision-making and public policy).
58	Cameron Anderson	Professor of Management of Organizations, Haas School of Business	Organizational behavior and psychology (known for research on power, influence, and leadership dynamics in organizations).
59	Kevin Coldiron	Adjunct Professor, Haas School of Business (Garwood Center for Corporate Innovation)	Financial innovation and asset management (practitioner-educator in finance and corporate innovation).
60	Clayton R. Critcher	Professor of Marketing, Haas School of Business	Consumer behavior and judgment decision-making (expert on how biases and self-perception affect consumer choices).
61	Sunil Dutta	Professor of Accounting, Haas School of Business	Financial accounting and reporting (research on performance measurement and corporate governance in accounting).
62	Matilde Bombardini	Associate Professor of Business and Public Policy, Haas School of Business	International trade economics and political economy (studies trade policy, lobbying, and globalization effects).
63	Teresa Puthussery	Associate Professor, Optometry & Vision Science	Vision science; MacArthur Fellow (2025)
64	Reinhard Genzel	Professor Emeritus of Physics and Astronomy (Prof. of the Graduate School)	Astrophysics – experimental astronomer who co-discovered the black hole at our galaxy’s center (Nobel Prize in Physics 2020 for studies of black holes).
65	Eric Betzig	Professor of Physics and Molecular & Cell Biology	Biophysics and microscopy (Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2014 for developing super-resolved fluorescence microscopy).
66	Helen Bateup	Associate Professor of Neuroscience	Distinguished Teaching Award recipient (2025)
67	Kranthi Mandadapu	Associate Professor, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering	Distinguished Teaching Award recipient (2025)
68	Daniel L. McFadden	E. Morris Cox Professor Emeritus of Economics	Econometrics and microeconomic theory (Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences 2000 for developing methods of analyzing discrete choice behavior).
69	Alexei A. Efros	Professor, EECS	Computer vision & ML; BAIR faculty (people.eecs.berkeley.edu)
70	Gabriel Zucman	Associate Professor of Economics and Public Policy	Public economics and finance (director of Berkeley’s Stone Center on Wealth and Income Inequality; expert on tax havens and global inequality).
71	Sarah Stanley	Associate Professor, Molecular & Cell Biology (and School of Public Health)	Distinguished Teaching Award recipient (2025)
72	David Bilder	Professor, Molecular & Cell Biology	Genetics & development (AAAS Fellow class cited by Berkeley News)
73	Phillip Messersmith	Chair, Bioengineering; Memorial Chair in Bioengineering & MSE	Bioinspired materials; biological adhesion (AAAS Fellow class cited by Berkeley News)
74	Claire J. Tomlin	Charles A. Desoer Chair in Engineering; Professor of Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences	Control theory and robotics (expert in hybrid systems and autonomous aerial vehicles; MacArthur Fellow 2006 for contributions to control systems engineering).
75	Diana Bautista	Professor, Molecular & Cell Biology & Neuroscience	Neuroimmune mechanisms; chronic itch research (AAAS Fellow class cited by Berkeley News)
76	Fei Xu	Professor of Psychology	Developmental psychology; infant learning (AAAS Fellow class cited by Berkeley News)
77	Lexin Li	Professor of Public Health	Biostatistics & neuroimaging/network analysis (AAAS Fellow class cited by Berkeley News)
78	Kam-Biu Luk	Distinguished Professor of Physics	Particle physics; neutrino experiments (AAAS Fellow class cited by Berkeley News)
79	Ken Goldberg	Professor of IEOR and EECS; William S. Floyd Jr. Distinguished Chair in Engineering	Robotics and new media (known for work in cloud robotics, automation, and art-tech collaborations; Director of CITRIS People and Robots Initiative; acclaimed media artist).
80	Hannah Ginsborg	Professor of Philosophy	Guggenheim Fellow (2025)
81	Jill (Jillian) Banfield	Professor of Earth & Planetary Science and Environmental Science, Policy & Management; Director, IGI Microbiome Program	Geomicrobiology and metagenomics (pioneered genome-resolved metagenomic analysis of microbial communities; studies Earth’s microbiome and co-investigator in CRISPR gene editing research).
82	Markita del Carpio Landry	Associate Professor, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering (and Neuroscience)	Guggenheim Fellow (2025); neurochemical sensing/engineering
83	Kathleen Collins	Professor, Molecular & Cell Biology; Schubert Family Chair	Telomerase, aging, gene-therapy technologies; elected to NAS (2025)
84	Michael F. Crommie	Professor of Physics	Atomic/molecular structures & quantum-scale behavior; elected to NAS (2025)
85	Steven Kahn	Dean of Mathematical & Physical Sciences; Professor of Astronomy	Experimental astrophysics/cosmology; elected to NAS (2025)
86	Michael Pollan	Professor of the Graduate School, Graduate School of Journalism (Professor Emeritus)	Science and environmental journalism (bestselling author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma and The Botany of Desire; known for work on food, agriculture, and psychedelics; longtime Knight Professor at Berkeley Journalism).
87	Robert Ritchie	Distinguished Professor of Engineering (MSE & Mechanical Engineering)	Fracture/fatigue of materials; elected to NAS (2025)
88	Pamela Samuelson	Richard M. Sherman ’74 Distinguished Professor of Law and Information Management	Intellectual property law and cyberlaw (co-director of Berkeley Center for Law & Technology; MacArthur Fellow 1997 for contributions to digital rights and copyright law).
89	Richmond Sarpong	Professor of Chemistry; Executive Associate Dean	Organic synthesis; methods for complex bioactive molecules; elected to NAS (2025)
90	Eva Nogales	Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology (MCB Dept.); Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute	Structural biology and biophysics (world leader in cryo-electron microscopy of large molecular complexes, including ribosomes and chromatin-modifying enzymes; member of National Academy of Sciences).
91	Ian Agol	Professor of Mathematics	Geometry/topology (hyperbolic 3-manifolds); elected to AAAS (Arts & Sciences)
92	Tyrone B. Hayes	Professor of Integrative Biology	Integrative biology and endocrinology (known for research showing the herbicide atrazine’s effects in chemically castrating and feminizing male frogs; advocate for environmental health and environmental justice in science).
93	Yang Dan	Professor, Molecular & Cell Biology & Neuroscience	Neural circuits of sleep/executive control; elected to AAAS (Arts & Sciences)
94	Wendy Brown	Professor Emerita of Political Science	Political theory and critical theory (leading political theorist known for analyses of neoliberalism, democracy, and power; author of Undoing the Demos and other influential works; now at Institute for Advanced Study).
95	Robert Hass	Distinguished Professor of English (emeritus)	Poetry and literature (U.S. Poet Laureate 1995–97; Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award–winning poet; widely respected for his environmental poetry and translations).
96	Leslie V. Kurke	Professor, Ancient Greek & Roman Studies and Comparative Literature	Classical Greek literature & social context; elected to AAAS (Arts & Sciences)
97	Ishmael Reed	Lecturer Emeritus in English (UC Berkeley Emeritus of the Year 2020)	Literature and creative writing (iconoclastic novelist, poet, and playwright; MacArthur Fellow 1998; taught at Berkeley for thirty-five years, mentoring generations of writers; author of Mumbo Jumbo and other works of American multicultural satire).
98	Marvin L. Cohen	University Professor of Physics and Professor Emeritus	Theoretical condensed-matter physics (one of the world’s most cited physicists in materials science; National Medal of Science winner for contributions to semiconductor and superconductivity theory; former President of the American Physical Society).
99	Donald C. Rio	Professor, Biochemistry, Biophysics & Structural Biology	Transposons/RNA processing; elected to AAAS (Arts & Sciences)
100	Philip B. Stark	Distinguished Professor of Statistics	Election auditing & statistical inference; elected to AAAS (Arts & Sciences)

 

Related: UC Berkeley Executive Education Programs

 

1. Jennifer A. Doudna – Professor of Chemistry & Molecular Biology

Jennifer Doudna is a Berkeley biochemist who co-invented the revolutionary CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology. In 2020, she received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (shared with Emmanuelle Charpentier) “for the development of a method for genome editing,” which has transformed biology and medicine. At UC Berkeley, Doudna holds the Li Ka Shing Chancellor’s Chair in the College of Chemistry and is an investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. She is also the founding director of the Innovative Genomics Institute. Doudna has been named one of the world’s most influential people for spearheading what’s often called the “CRISPR revolution” in science.

 

2. Janet L. Yellen – Professor Emerita, Haas School of Business

Janet Yellen is an eminent economist and Professor Emerita at Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, where she joined the faculty in 1980. Internationally, Yellen is renowned for her public service: she made history as the first woman to serve as Chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve (2014–2018) and later as the first female U.S. Treasury Secretary (2021–2025). In academia, Yellen’s research in macroeconomics and labor markets has been highly influential. She is the Eugene E. and Catherine M. Trefethen Professor Emeritus of Business Administration and Economics at Berkeley. Yellen’s distinguished career in both academia and policy exemplifies the global impact of Berkeley faculty.

 

3. Robert B. Reich – Professor of Public Policy (Emeritus)

Robert Reich is a Professor Emeritus at the Goldman School of Public Policy, widely known as a leading voice on economic policy and inequality. He served as U.S. Secretary of Labor under President Bill Clinton (1993–1997), and also advised President Obama as a member of his transition economic advisory board. At Berkeley, Reich has taught public policy since 2006 and is acclaimed for his dynamic teaching and public engagement. He has authored numerous best-selling books (e.g., The Work of Nations, Aftershock) and co-founded journals and organizations to promote economic ideas. In 2008, Time magazine named him one of the top ten best U.S. cabinet secretaries of the century, reflecting his lasting influence on public discourse.

 

4. David Card – Professor of Economics

David Card is a Canadian-born labor economist and the Class of 1950 Professor of Economics at UC Berkeley, where he has taught since 1997. He was awarded the 2021 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for his pioneering empirical research in labor economics. Card’s influential studies – for example, on how minimum wage increases do not necessarily reduce employment – have challenged conventional wisdom and changed policy debates. His work on immigration and education has also provided new insights into how labor markets function. A fellow of the Econometric Society and winner of the John Bates Clark Medal, Card is widely respected for applying natural experiments to economic questions, a hallmark of Berkeley’s empirical tradition.

 

5. Stuart J. Russell – Professor of Computer Science (EECS)

Stuart Russell is a leading authority in artificial intelligence (AI) and a Professor of EECS at Berkeley, where he holds the Michael H. Smith and Lotfi A. Zadeh Chair in Engineering. He co-authored the definitive AI textbook, Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach, used by over 1,500 universities worldwide. Russell’s research spans machine learning, probabilistic reasoning, and the ethics of AI. He founded Berkeley’s Center for Human-Compatible AI to ensure future AI systems remain beneficial to humanity. A fellow of AAAS, ACM, and AAAI, Russell has received honors including the IJCAI Research Excellence Award and an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) for his contributions to AI. In 2016, Science magazine ranked him among the most influential computer scientists, reflecting his status as an AI pioneer and public advocate for AI safety.

 

Related: Famous UC Berkeley Alumni

 

6. Saul Perlmutter – Professor of Physics

Saul Perlmutter is an astrophysicist and a Professor of Physics at Berkeley, best known for his co-discovery of the accelerating expansion of the universe. He led the Supernova Cosmology Project based at Berkeley Lab and, in 2011, received the Nobel Prize in Physics (shared with Brian Schmidt and Adam Riess) for this groundbreaking discovery. Perlmutter holds the Franklin W. and Karen Weber Dabby Chair in Physics at Berkeley and is also a senior scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. His work with distant supernovae provided evidence for dark energy, fundamentally changing our understanding of cosmology. Beyond research, Perlmutter directs the Berkeley Institute for Data Science and is known for teaching innovative courses that connect science with society (such as “Physics & Music” and “Sense and Sensibility & Science”), inspiring the next generation of scientists.

 

7. Randy W. Schekman – Professor of Molecular & Cell Biology

Randy Schekman is a Professor of Molecular and Cell Biology at UC Berkeley who won the 2013 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work uncovering the machinery of how cells transport and secrete proteins. Schekman’s research using yeast as a model system revealed the genetic and molecular basis of vesicle trafficking – discoveries crucial to cell biology and medicine (e.g., understanding diseases like diabetes and neurodegeneration). At Berkeley, he has mentored numerous students and postdocs, and he also served as Editor-in-Chief of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and helped launch the open-access journal eLife. Schekman is an investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and has been a vocal advocate for open scientific communication, reflecting Berkeley’s spirit of public impact.

 

8. George A. Akerlof – Professor Emeritus of Economics

George Akerlof is the Daniel E. Koshland Sr. Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Economics at Berkeley and a Nobel laureate renowned for his contributions to economics. He received the 2001 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences (shared with Michael Spence and Joseph Stiglitz) for his theory of markets with asymmetric information – famously illustrated in his 1970 paper “The Market for Lemons,” which explained how quality uncertainty can lead to market failure. Akerlof has been a Berkeley faculty member since 1966, shaping the field of behavioral economics and macroeconomics over decades of research. He also served as President of the American Economic Association in 2006. Akerlof’s ideas on efficiency wages, identity economics, and social norms in economics have had a wide-ranging influence, and he remains an active voice in policy discussions alongside his Nobel-winning spouse, Janet Yellen.

 

9. Michael I. Jordan – Professor of EECS and Statistics

Michael I. Jordan is the Pehong Chen Distinguished Professor at UC Berkeley, with joint appointments in EECS and Statistics. Regarded as a pioneer in machine learning and AI, he has been called the “most influential computer scientist” in the world by an analysis in Science magazine (2016). Jordan’s work bridges computer science and statistics, from foundational algorithms to applications in data science. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Among many honors, he was the inaugural winner of the World Laureates Association Prize in Computer Science (2022) and received the IEEE John von Neumann Medal (2020) for his contributions. Professor Jordan’s influential research and mentorship have helped establish Berkeley as a world leader in machine learning.

 

10. Pieter Abbeel – Professor of Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences

Pieter Abbeel is a Professor of EECS at Berkeley and a leading researcher in artificial intelligence and robotics. He is known for cutting-edge work in deep reinforcement learning and robot learning – teaching robots to tie knots, fold laundry, or perform acrobatic helicopter stunts through trial-and-error learning. Abbeel directs the Berkeley Robot Learning Lab and co-directs the Berkeley Artificial Intelligence Research (BAIR) lab. He has won numerous awards, including IEEE’s Robotics and Automation Early Career Award. Beyond academia, Abbeel has co-founded successful AI startups (Gradescope and Covariant) and advised organizations like OpenAI. His passion for education earned him recognition as a top instructor (his CS188 AI course is highly acclaimed). Abbeel’s innovations in AI and robotics continue to push the frontiers of what autonomous systems can do in the real world.

 

Related: History of UC Berkeley

 

11. David A. Patterson – Professor Emeritus of EECS

David Patterson is a legendary figure in computer science and Professor Emeritus at UC Berkeley. He led the Berkeley team that developed RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing) processors in the 1980s, a design approach that revolutionized microprocessors. For this breakthrough and other contributions, Patterson shared the 2017 Turing Award (often called the “Nobel of Computing”). During his four decades at Berkeley, he also co-invented RAID storage technology and co-authored highly influential textbooks on computer architecture. Patterson has mentored countless students (including many industry leaders) and championed open technologies – he co-developed the open RISC-V instruction set with his former student Krste Asanović. Known for his enthusiasm and clarity in teaching, Patterson earned the ACM Karlstrom Outstanding Educator Award. Even in retirement, he remains active in research (as a Distinguished Engineer at Google Brain) and continues to embody Berkeley’s spirit of innovation.

 

12. Shafi Goldwasser – Professor of EECS; Director, Simons Institute

Shafi Goldwasser is a renowned computer scientist in the EECS department and Director of Berkeley’s Simons Institute for the Theory of Computing. She is one of only three women to have ever won the ACM Turing Award (2012), which she received for her trailblazing work in cryptography. Goldwasser co-invented fundamental concepts like zero-knowledge proofs, which enable one to prove a statement is true without revealing why – a breakthrough now core to modern cybersecurity and blockchain technology. Her contributions span computational complexity theory and number theory as well. Goldwasser earned her Ph.D. at Berkeley in 1984 and returned in 2018 to lead the Simons Institute, fostering research in theoretical computer science. A member of the National Academies of Science and Engineering, she has also received the Gödel Prize twice. Goldwasser’s career is a testament to excellence in research and leadership in computing.

 

13. Richard M. Karp – Professor Emeritus of EECS

Richard Karp is an emeritus professor at Berkeley and a towering figure in theoretical computer science. He won the 1985 Turing Award for fundamental achievements in the theory of algorithms, notably for identifying NP-complete problems – those computational problems that are infeasible to solve exactly as they grow larger. Karp’s 1972 landmark paper reduced many complex problems to the NP-complete class, profoundly impacting computer science and optimization. He has been at Berkeley for most of his career, helping establish its reputation in algorithms and complexity theory. Karp also made contributions in computational biology and algorithmic game theory. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering. Known for his clarity of thought, Karp mentored generations of students and continues to be an active researcher at the Berkeley Simons Institute, tackling the hardest questions in computation with undiminished curiosity.

 

14. Jitendra Malik – Professor of Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences

Jitendra Malik is a world-leading researcher in computer vision and artificial intelligence, and he has been a Professor of EECS at Berkeley since 1989. Malik’s influential algorithms and models have taught computers how to interpret images and video – from early work on edge detection (the Canny–Malik filter) to modern deep learning approaches for visual recognition. He has graduated many top vision researchers and received numerous honors, including the ACM – AAAI Allen Newell Award and the IEEE Computer Society’s Computer Pioneer Award. Malik is an elected member of the National Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society. At Berkeley, he chaired the EECS department and co-founded the Berkeley Artificial Intelligence Research (BAIR) lab. His research has impacted everything from autonomous vehicles to medical imaging. Malik is also known as an outstanding teacher and mentor, reflecting Berkeley’s tradition of combining research excellence with education.

 

15. Scott Shenker – Professor of Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences

Scott Shenker is a Professor of EECS at Berkeley and a highly influential computer scientist, particularly in the field of computer networking. A co-founder of the software-defined networking (SDN) movement, Shenker’s work (like the development of the OpenFlow protocol) has transformed how modern networks are designed and managed. Earlier, as a researcher at Xerox PARC, he made seminal contributions to Internet architecture and protocols, helping to shape algorithms for congestion control and distributed systems. Shenker joined Berkeley in 2004 and co-founded the UC Berkeley AMPLab (which birthed Apache Spark) and later the Berkeley Sky Computing initiative. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and received the IEEE Internet Award for his contributions. Known for his sharp insights and interdisciplinary approach, Shenker has advised dozens of successful students and startups. His dedication to teaching earned him Berkeley’s Distinguished Teaching Award, making him not only a research pioneer but also a beloved educator.

 

Related: How to Make the Most of Studying at UC Berkeley?

 

16. Ion Stoica – Professor of Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences

Ion Stoica is a Professor of EECS at Berkeley and a leading figure in distributed computing and cloud systems. He co-founded the Apache Spark project, an open-source data processing engine that has become a cornerstone of big data analytics. Stoica’s research spans cloud computing, cluster scheduling (he co-developed Apache Mesos), and computer networking. He co-directs the RISELab at Berkeley, which focuses on Real-time Intelligent Secure Execution, and was previously Director of the AMPLab. In the industry, Stoica co-founded Databricks, a highly successful company built around Spark, bringing Berkeley research to thousands of organizations. Among his honors, Stoica is an ACM Fellow and has received the SIGOPS Mark Weiser Award for creative approaches to systems research. He actively mentors students and entrepreneurs, embodying Berkeley’s culture of innovation. Stoica’s work has enabled scalable data processing and machine learning in the cloud, significantly impacting both academia and industry.

 

17. Umesh Vazirani – Professor of Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences

Umesh Vazirani is a Professor of EECS at Berkeley and a pioneer in the field of quantum computing theory. He co-authored one of the first textbooks on algorithms (Algorithms by Dasgupta, Papadimitriou, & Vazirani) and has made foundational contributions to quantum algorithms and quantum complexity. Vazirani’s research helped shape our understanding of quantum supremacy and cryptography; notably, he co-developed the Bernstein–Vazirani algorithm and has worked on quantum analogs of NP-complete problems. He also serves as Director of the Berkeley Quantum Computing Center. Vazirani is an ACM Fellow and a winner of the Dirac Medal from ICTP for his contributions to theoretical physics and computer science. At Berkeley, he is celebrated as an inspiring teacher in algorithms and theory. Through his mentorship and vision, Vazirani has positioned Berkeley at the forefront of the quantum information revolution, influencing both next-generation quantum technologies and the philosophy of quantum mechanics.

 

18. Krste Asanović – Professor of Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences

Krste Asanović is a Professor of EECS at Berkeley known for his influential work in computer architecture. He is the co-inventor and evangelist of RISC-V, an open standard instruction set architecture (ISA) that is catalyzing innovation in chip design worldwide. Asanović co-founded the RISC-V project at Berkeley in 2010, envisioning a free and extensible ISA for education and industry; today, RISC-V is supported by hundreds of companies and institutions. He also co-directs the ADEPT Lab (Agile Design of Efficient Processing Technologies) at Berkeley, tackling challenges in custom silicon for new applications. Previously, Asanović made contributions in vector processing and parallel computer architecture. He co-founded SiFive Inc., a startup to produce RISC-V-based chips. A Fellow of the IEEE, Asanović has received awards like the IEEE Andrew S. Grove Award. His leadership in open hardware mirrors Berkeley’s open-source ethos and is transforming how processors are developed and taught.

 

19. Erwin Chemerinsky – Dean and Professor of Law

Erwin Chemerinsky is the Dean of Berkeley Law and one of the nation’s most prominent constitutional law scholars. He joined Berkeley in 2017 after founding and leading UC Irvine’s law school. Chemerinsky has argued cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and is the author of leading casebooks and treatises on constitutional law, the First Amendment, and federal jurisdiction. As a public intellectual, he frequently writes op-eds and appears in the media to explain Supreme Court decisions and civil liberties issues. National Jurist magazine has repeatedly named him the most influential person in legal education. At Berkeley, Chemerinsky teaches courses on constitutional law and law & public policy, earning acclaim from students. In 2021, he served as President of the Association of American Law Schools. His commitment to equity and legal access, along with his scholarship and teaching, continues Berkeley Law’s legacy of public service and academic excellence.

 

20. Judith Butler – Professor Emerita of Comparative Literature & Critical Theory

Judith Butler is a world-renowned philosopher and gender theorist who taught at UC Berkeley for over 25 years and is now Professor Emerita. Butler’s landmark book Gender Trouble (1990) introduced the concept of gender performativity, fundamentally shaping modern gender studies and queer theory. Their subsequent works (e.g., Bodies That Matter) and political writings have influenced fields from feminist theory to ethics and human rights. Butler has also been active in campus life and public discourse, advocating for academic freedom and social justice. Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Butler has received numerous honors, including the Adorno Prize. They held the Maxine Elliott Chair in the Department of Comparative Literature at Berkeley and taught critical theory in a way that inspired generations of students. Butler’s blend of rigorous scholarship and activism embodies the spirit of Berkeley’s intellectual leadership in the humanities.

 

Related: Famous Stanford Professors

 

21. Ruzena Bajcsy – Professor Emerita of Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences

Ruzena Bajcsy is a pioneering computer scientist and engineer, celebrated for her work in robotics, computer vision, and AI. She founded the General Robotics and Active Sensory Perception (GRASP) Lab (at UPenn) before joining Berkeley, and later became the founding director of CITRIS (Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society) in 2001, a multi-campus innovation institute. At Berkeley, Bajcsy (now Emerita) continued to break new ground in areas like human-centered robotics and virtual reality. She is a member of both the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Medicine. Born in Slovakia in 1933, Bajcsy survived World War II and went on to earn her Ph.D. in EE. Beyond research, she mentored many students (especially women in engineering) over her illustrious career. Ruzena Bajcsy’s legacy includes not just technical achievements but also a commitment to applying technology for societal good, true to CITRIS’s mission.

 

22. Barry Eichengreen – Professor of Economics

Barry Eichengreen is a distinguished professor of economics and political science at UC Berkeley, known globally for his expertise in economic history and international finance. He has written seminal works on the gold standard and the Great Depression (Golden Fetters), as well as analyses of contemporary financial crises. Eichengreen’s research on the history of global monetary systems and exchange rates has informed policy debates on the euro and the International Monetary Fund. He has been a Senior Policy Advisor at the IMF and is a frequent commentator in the media on economic issues. At Berkeley, Eichengreen teaches international economics and economic history, highly regarded for his insightful lectures. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and was awarded the Distinguished Fellow award by the American Economic Association. Eichengreen’s historically grounded perspective on modern economics exemplifies Berkeley’s strength in blending theory, history, and policy relevance.

 

23. Christina Romer – Professor of Economics

Christina Romer is a professor of economics at UC Berkeley and a leading economic historian specializing in the Great Depression and macroeconomic policy. She is perhaps equally known for her public service as Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) under President Barack Obama (2009–2010), where she was a key architect of the recovery plan during the Great Recession. In academia, Romer’s research (often co-authored with her husband, David Romer) has shed light on the causes of the Great Depression, the impact of monetary and fiscal policy, and the measurement of business cycles. Her influential papers include analyses of the effectiveness of stimulus and the misestimation of GDP in historical data. At Berkeley, Romer is admired as a dedicated teacher of undergraduate and graduate students, bringing historical insight to modern macroeconomics. She has received numerous honors, including membership in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Romer’s blend of scholarship and policy experience enriches Berkeley’s economics curriculum.

 

24. Emmanuel Saez – Professor of Economics

Emmanuel Saez is a professor of economics at UC Berkeley and one of the world’s foremost researchers on income inequality and public finance. A winner of the John Bates Clark Medal (2009) for the best economist under 40, Saez has profoundly influenced how we understand income and wealth distribution, often collaborating with Thomas Piketty. His meticulously compiled tax data have charted the rise of the top 1% in income and informed debates on progressive taxation. Saez directs the Center for Equitable Growth at Berkeley, fostering research on inequality. He has also co-authored books like Capital in the Twenty-First Century (technical appendix) and The Triumph of Injustice, advocating tax reforms to address inequality. Saez’s empirical approach and clear policy engagement exemplify Berkeley’s public mission. In the classroom, he is known for rigorous courses in public economics. Policymakers worldwide consult his findings, from optimal tax theory to wealth tax proposals, making him one of Berkeley’s most impactful social scientists.

 

25. Hal R. Varian – Professor Emeritus (School of Information & Economics)

Hal Varian is an emeritus professor at UC Berkeley, recognized for his contributions to microeconomics and information economics, and for being Google’s longtime Chief Economist. Varian taught at Berkeley’s economics and information schools for decades, authoring the classic textbook Intermediate Microeconomics, which has trained countless students. His research explored how technology changes economic outcomes – he coined concepts like the “Varian Rule” (“Google can make money off of 2% of something with 100% share”). In 2002, Varian took leave to join Google, where he helped design the AdWords auction mechanism and analyze data, applying economic principles at a massive scale. He remained connected to Berkeley, often returning to give lectures bridging theory and real-world tech business. Varian is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. His unique career as both an academic economist and a tech industry leader reflects Berkeley’s innovative spirit and the permeable boundary between research and the real economy.

 

26. Maurice Obstfeld – Professor of Economics

Maurice Obstfeld is a professor of economics at Berkeley and a leading expert in international economics. He is well-known for his role as Chief Economist at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from 2015 to 2018, where he guided global economic analysis and policy advice. Obstfeld’s academic work (often with Kenneth Rogoff) includes the influential textbook Foundations of International Macroeconomics and extensive research on exchange rates, global capital flows, and financial crises. He has provided deep insights into how economies adjust to shocks and the importance of international policy coordination. At Berkeley, where he earned his Ph.D. and later returned as faculty, Obstfeld has mentored many students in open-economy macroeconomics. He is a fellow of the Econometric Society and the British Academy. His research and policy engagement have been recognized with numerous awards, like the Economic History Association’s Higgs Medal. Obstfeld’s career exemplifies Berkeley’s global reach in economic thought and policy impact.

 

27. George Lakoff – Professor Emeritus of Linguistics

George Lakoff is an emeritus professor of cognitive science and linguistics at Berkeley, world-famous for his work on the human mind and language. He revolutionized linguistics by introducing the idea that metaphors shape thought – outlined in his seminal book Metaphors We Live By (1980, with Mark Johnson) – showing that everyday language is filled with conceptual metaphors that influence how we think and act. Lakoff also applied cognitive linguistics to politics in books like Don’t Think of an Elephant!, arguing that political debates are won or lost by framing issues with metaphors that resonate with values. At Berkeley since 1972, Lakoff founded the Cognitive Linguistics program and mentored many students. He has been a prominent public intellectual, consulting on political communication and analyzing discourse. Lakoff is a fellow of the Cognitive Science Society and has received the Berkeley Distinguished Teaching Award. His interdisciplinary work across linguistics, psychology, and politics embodies the broad, innovative scholarship for which Berkeley is known.

 

28. Arlie Russell Hochschild – Professor Emerita of Sociology

Arlie Hochschild is an emerita professor of sociology at Berkeley, renowned for her insightful studies of emotion, family, and work. Her groundbreaking concept of the “second shift” – the idea that employed women often come home to perform the majority of housework and childcare – was detailed in her 1989 book The Second Shift, bringing attention to the emotional labor in domestic life. She also introduced the term “emotional labor” in her book The Managed Heart (1983) to describe how service workers manage feelings as part of their jobs (e.g., flight attendants smiling on duty). More recently, Hochschild gained widespread acclaim for Strangers in Their Own Land (2016), a deep study of political attitudes and empathy among Louisiana Tea Party supporters, which was a finalist for the National Book Award. A Berkeley faculty member for over 30 years, Hochschild mentored generations of students in qualitative methods and sociological theory. Her compassionate, human-centered approach to sociology has made complex social phenomena accessible to a broad audience, reflecting Berkeley’s public ethos.

 

29. Alison Gopnik – Professor of Psychology

Alison Gopnik is a professor of psychology and an internationally recognized expert on children’s learning and cognitive development. At Berkeley, she leads research exploring how infants and young children learn about the world in a scientific way – forming hypotheses, making inferences – essentially acting as “little scientists.” Gopnik is a pioneer in developmental psychology and the philosophy of mind, authoring popular books such as The Scientist in the Crib and The Philosophical Baby, which convey how the developing mind illuminates human nature. Her work on “theory of mind” and causal learning in children has had a wide influence, and she has argued that caring for children has shaped human evolution (the “Gardening vs. Carpentry” approach to parenting, from her book The Gardener and the Carpenter). Gopnik is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a frequent contributor to publications like The Wall Street Journal. In the classroom, she is known for engaging lectures on cognitive development. Her ability to bridge rigorous science with public communication exemplifies Berkeley’s leadership in science outreach.

 

30. Alexei “Alex” Filippenko – Professor of Astronomy

Alex Filippenko is a Professor of Astronomy at Berkeley who is not only a world-class astrophysicist but also one of the university’s most celebrated teachers. A member of the Supernova Cosmology Project, Filippenko contributed to the discovery of the accelerating expansion of the universe (and was a co-author on the 2011 Nobel-winning research). He’s an expert on supernovae, active galaxies, and black holes, having published hundreds of papers. Equally famed is Filippenko’s passion for teaching – he has been voted “Best Professor” on campus a record nine times by Berkeley undergraduates, and he received the National Professor of the Year award in 2006. His introductory astronomy courses are legendary for inspiring non-science majors, and he’s appeared in numerous TV documentaries (like The Universe on the History Channel). Filippenko also leads frequent public stargazing events. His infectious enthusiasm for the cosmos and talent for explaining complex phenomena have made him one of the most effective ambassadors of science, truly embodying the Berkeley spirit of educational excellence and public engagement.

 

31. Daniel Kammen – Professor of Energy (ERG)

Daniel Kammen is a professor at Berkeley’s Energy and Resources Group (ERG), with parallel appointments in the Goldman School of Public Policy and the Department of Nuclear Engineering. As a leading energy and climate expert, Kammen has dedicated his career to researching renewable energy systems, climate change solutions, and energy policy. He has authored or co-authored over 400 publications, including influential reports on the technical and economic feasibility of transitioning to clean energy. Kammen shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize as part of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. In public service, he has been a Science Envoy for the U.S. State Department, advancing clean energy cooperation in the Western Hemisphere. At Berkeley, Kammen founded and directs the Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory (RAEL), where he mentors students tackling sustainability challenges around the globe. He is frequently cited in the media on topics like solar power expansion, electric grids, and climate policy. Kammen’s work exemplifies Berkeley’s leadership in addressing global challenges through interdisciplinary research and informed policy advocacy.

 

32. Inez Fung – Professor of Atmospheric Science

Inez Fung is a Professor of Atmospheric Science in the Department of Earth and Planetary Science and the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management at Berkeley. A pioneering climate scientist, Fung develops sophisticated computer models to understand the global carbon cycle and climate change. She co-authored some of the earliest general circulation models that incorporated interactive biospheres, helping predict how CO₂ emissions affect climate. Fung is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and has served on the U.S. National Academy’s board on Climate Science. Her research on the feedback between forests, oceans, and the atmosphere has been critical for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessments. Born in Hong Kong, Fung was one of the first women to earn a doctorate in meteorology from MIT. She joined Berkeley in 1998 and has since been a key figure in its Energy & Climate research. Fung is also an award-winning mentor, dedicated to increasing diversity in the geosciences. Her contributions help humanity better forecast and respond to climate change, epitomizing Berkeley’s commitment to impactful environmental research.

 

33. Jay D. Keasling – Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering

Jay Keasling is a Professor of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering at Berkeley and a synthetic biology trailblazer. He is famed for engineering microbes to produce useful chemicals, most notably artemisinin, an antimalarial drug. In a landmark project, Keasling’s team reprogrammed yeast to biosynthesize artemisinin precursors, dramatically lowering the cost of this life-saving medication. This breakthrough, supported by the Gates Foundation, has helped secure a stable global supply of malaria treatment. Keasling also founded the Joint BioEnergy Institute, developing biofuels from plant biomass, and he serves as CEO of the Department of Energy’s Joint BioEnergy Institute. A member of the National Academy of Engineering, Keasling has received the National Medal of Science for his innovations. At Berkeley, he teaches and mentors in the burgeoning field of synthetic biology, training students to program cells like computers. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to co-found multiple biotech companies. Keasling’s fusion of engineering and biology to tackle health and energy problems highlights Berkeley’s leadership in interdisciplinary innovation.

 

34. Omar Yaghi – Professor of Chemistry

Omar Yaghi is a Professor of Chemistry at UC Berkeley, celebrated for founding the field of reticular chemistry and inventing metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). MOFs are porous crystalline materials that Yaghi designed by linking metal nodes with organic molecules, creating structures with record-breaking surface areas. These “chemical sponges” can store gases like hydrogen or carbon dioxide, with applications in clean energy and carbon capture. Yaghi has also developed covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and other novel materials. One of the world’s most cited chemists, he has received prestigious awards, including the Wolf Prize in Chemistry (2018) and the Japan Prize. He co-directs the Kavli Energy NanoSciences Institute at Berkeley, pushing the frontier of materials for sustainability. Yaghi, who grew up in Jordan, is renowned for mentoring a large international network of young scientists (the “Yaghi school” of reticular chemistry). His creativity in building materials “genealogies” (linking molecules into predetermined architectures) demonstrates Berkeley Chemistry’s hallmark of fundamental discovery with practical impact, such as using MOFs to harvest water from desert air.

 

35. Peidong Yang – Professor of Chemistry

Peidong Yang is a Professor of Chemistry (and affiliate in Materials Science) at Berkeley, known for his influential work in nanomaterials and nanotechnology. He is particularly recognized for creating advanced semiconductor nanowires and nano-scale architectures for applications in energy conversion. Yang and collaborators developed a prototype “artificial photosynthesis” system – sometimes called an artificial leaf – which uses semiconductor nanowires and bacteria to convert sunlight, water, and CO₂ into renewable fuels. For these contributions, Yang was elected to the National Academy of Sciences and received the MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship in 2015. He also pioneered silicon nanowire photonics and high-performance nanowire transistors. At Berkeley since 1999, Yang has built a dynamic research group in inorganic nanostructures and mentors students in chemistry, materials science, and beyond. He co-directs the Kavli Energy NanoSciences Institute, working at the intersection of chemistry and physics. Peidong Yang’s innovations are key steps toward sustainable energy technologies, exemplifying Berkeley’s leadership in nano-scale solutions to global challenges.

 

36. Laura D. Tyson – Professor Emerita of Business & Economics

Laura Tyson is Professor Emerita at Berkeley Haas School of Business and a distinguished economist who has broken glass ceilings in academia and government. She was the first woman to serve as Chair of the U.S. President’s Council of Economic Advisers (1993–1995) and directed the National Economic Council (1995–1996) under President Bill Clinton. An expert in international trade and competitiveness, Tyson was Dean of Berkeley’s Haas School (1998–2001) and later Dean of London Business School. Her academic work spans industrial competitiveness and the economic status of women. At Berkeley, Tyson launched programs in social impact and sustainable business and continues to teach and advise students, especially on issues of inclusion and labor economics. She also chairs the Blum Center for Developing Economies board, reflecting her commitment to alleviating poverty. Tyson has served on numerous corporate and nonprofit boards and remains an influential voice in economic policy circles. Her trailblazing career at the nexus of academia, policy, and business is emblematic of Berkeley’s impact on real-world economic governance.

 

37. David Teece – Professor Emeritus of Business (Haas)

David Teece is an Emeritus Professor at the Haas School of Business, renowned for his scholarship in management and innovation. He introduced the influential concept of “dynamic capabilities,” which explains how companies can sustain competitive advantage by constantly adapting and reconfiguring their skills and assets in fast-changing environments. This framework, outlined in his highly cited 1997 paper and subsequent works, has become a cornerstone of strategic management research. Teece’s expertise also extends to technology transfer, entrepreneurship, and antitrust economics. He founded and directs the Tusher Center for Intellectual Capital at Haas, examining intangible assets in the economy. A native of New Zealand, Teece has advised governments and firms worldwide on innovation policy and strategy. He co-founded Berkeley Research Group, a consulting firm, and has been recognized as one of the most influential business professors. At Haas, Teece was known as a rigorous and supportive mentor to MBA and Ph.D. students. His work bridges academic insight and business practice, illustrating Berkeley’s strength in thought leadership that directly informs management decision-making.

 

38. Dawn Song – Professor of Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences

Dawn Song is a Professor of EECS at Berkeley and a leading researcher in computer security, privacy, and applied cryptography. A MacArthur Fellow (2010), Song has made major contributions to areas like software analysis for vulnerabilities, defenses against malware, and the security of machine learning. She pioneered techniques in secure deep learning and has worked on blockchain and smart contract security as well. Song has authored over 150 academic papers, and her work has been recognized with awards such as the ACM Grace Murray Hopper Award (for outstanding young computer professional) and multiple “Best Paper” prizes at top security conferences. She is also an entrepreneur: Song co-founded Ensighta (mobile security, acquired by FireEye) and, more recently, Oasis Labs, a startup building a privacy-first cloud computing platform on blockchain. At Berkeley, Song leads the Initiative for Cryptocurrencies and Contracts (IC3) and has mentored many students who are now security leaders. Her innovative approaches to securing complex systems embody Berkeley’s forward-thinking ethos in computer science.

 

39. S. Shankar Sastry – Professor of Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences

Shankar Sastry is a Professor of EECS (and Bioengineering) at Berkeley, recognized for his wide-ranging contributions to control theory, robotics, and cyber-physical systems. He served as the Dean of the College of Engineering from 2007 to 2018, spearheading programs in interdisciplinary research and diversity. Sastry’s research achievements include advances in robotic dexterity, hybrid control systems, and the design of secure embedded systems (vital for applications like autonomous drones and smart grids). He has also worked on biological system modeling and emergency response networks. Sastry is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In addition to his technical work, he has been deeply involved in translating research to practice – for example, leading the Blum Center’s development engineering efforts and advising the U.S. Air Force on autonomy. As an educator, Sastry has guided numerous students and co-authored textbooks on nonlinear and hybrid systems. His career exemplifies Berkeley Engineering’s blend of theoretical rigor, practical impact, and public service.

 

40. Ula Taylor – Professor of African American Studies

Ula Taylor is a Professor of African American Studies at UC Berkeley and a prominent historian focusing on Black women’s history and feminist thought. She is esteemed for her scholarship on figures like Madame C.J. Walker and Amy Jacques Garvey, as well as her analyses of Black feminism, including the concept of “community feminism” in the Black Panther Party. Taylor’s book The Promise of Patriarchy examines women in the Nation of Islam, offering nuanced views on gender and religion in Black nationalist movements. She has been a beloved teacher at Berkeley, earning the campus Distinguished Teaching Award – notably, she is only the second African American woman in Berkeley’s history to receive that honor. Taylor directs the Center for Race & Gender’s research initiative on Black women’s wellness and has served as Chair of the African American Studies Department. Through her mentorship and advocacy, she has inspired countless students. Ula Taylor’s work underscores Berkeley’s strength in elevating marginalized voices and connecting historical scholarship with contemporary social issues.

 

41. Edward Frenkel – Professor of Mathematics

Edward Frenkel is a Professor of Mathematics at UC Berkeley, renowned for his work in representation theory, algebraic geometry, and mathematical physics. He is also widely known as a passionate communicator of mathematics to the public. Frenkel’s research, often in collaboration with collaborators like Boris Feigin, has advanced the Langlands program – a set of deep connections between number theory and geometry. He has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences for his scholarly contributions. Beyond academia, Frenkel wrote the best-selling memoir/*manifesto Love and Math (2013), which reveals the creative and emotional side of discovering mathematics, and he even co-created a short film (Rites of Love and Math). In the classroom, Frenkel is admired for his engaging and clear teaching style, though students also note his classes can be intensely challenging (reflecting his high standards). He encourages students to embrace the beauty of math and often says that doing math is like exploring a hidden art. Frenkel’s dual role as researcher and ambassador makes him a distinctive figure at Berkeley.

 

42. Venkat Anantharam – Professor of Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences

Venkat Anantharam is a Professor of EECS at Berkeley and an expert in communication networks, information theory, and stochastic processes. He has made significant contributions to queuing theory, network optimization, and the economics of networks. Anantharam’s research spans analyzing how complex data networks perform and designing algorithms for efficient, reliable communication – foundational for today’s internet and wireless systems. He received his Ph.D. from Berkeley in 1986 and, after teaching at Cornell, returned to Berkeley as a faculty member. He is known as a polymath, with additional interests in probability theory and even connections between information theory and neuroscience. At Berkeley, Anantharam teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in signals, systems, and probabilistic analysis, earning a reputation as a rigorous yet caring mentor. He is a Fellow of the IEEE, cited for his contributions to communications. His broad knowledge (holding advanced degrees in both electrical engineering and mathematics) and intellectual generosity have influenced many students and colleagues. Anantharam exemplifies the deep theoretical strength of Berkeley EECS in fields underpinning the digital age.

 

43. Susan Marqusee – Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Structural Biology

Susan Marqusee is a Professor of Molecular and Cell Biology and Chemistry at Berkeley, acclaimed for her research on protein folding and dynamics. She investigates how proteins navigate their energy landscapes to fold into functional structures – a fundamental question in biophysics. Marqusee has uncovered key insights into the kinetics and pathways of folding, using techniques like hydrogen exchange and microfluidic mixing to observe folding in real-time. She was the longtime Director of the Berkeley–UCSF Molecular Biophysics Grad Program and also served as Director of QB3-Berkeley (the Quantitative Biosciences Institute) for several years. In 2014, Marqusee was elected to the National Academy of Sciences for her contributions. Her mentorship has trained many successful biophysicists. In 2022, she was selected to lead the National Science Foundation’s Directorate of Biological Sciences, reflecting her leadership in the field. Marqusee’s work not only answers basic science questions about how life’s molecules self-assemble, but also informs biomedical efforts to treat diseases caused by misfolded proteins. She embodies Berkeley’s excellence in blending quantitative rigor with biological discovery.

 

44. James Demmel – Professor of Mathematics & Computer Science

James Demmel is a Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science at Berkeley, renowned for his work in numerical linear algebra and high-performance computing. Demmel has co-authored core libraries (like LAPACK and ScaLAPACK) that are widely used for solving systems of equations and eigenproblems on everything from laptops to supercomputers. His research focuses on algorithms that minimize communication (data movement) to achieve optimal speed on modern hardware. Demmel’s “communication-avoiding” algorithms have improved computational efficiency and are fundamental in simulation and data analysis software. He has won numerous awards, including the ACM Paris Kanellakis Prize and the IEEE Computer Pioneer Award, and he’s a member of both the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Sciences. Demmel also served as Chair of the EECS Department, fostering interdisciplinary initiatives. As an instructor, he is beloved for clear, thoughtful teaching in numerical analysis and linear algebra, earning him Berkeley’s Distinguished Teaching Award. His textbook on applied numerical linear algebra is a standard. Demmel’s contributions ensure that scientific computations are both accurate and fast, epitomizing Berkeley’s impact on the computational underpinnings of science and engineering.

 

45. Dan Garcia – Teaching Professor of Computer Science (EECS)

Dan Garcia is a Teaching Professor in EECS at Berkeley who is legendary for his enthusiasm and innovation in undergraduate computer science education. He is best known as the creator and instructor of CS10: “The Beauty and Joy of Computing,” an introductory course for non-majors that has become a national model for engaging students in computing. Garcia infuses his classes with fun projects, live demos, and a contagious energy – he’s often seen wearing colorful attire and performing songs about computing concepts. Multiple times, he has been honored with Berkeley’s Distinguished Teaching Award, and he was named an ACM Distinguished Educator. Garcia is also involved in the Computer Science Principles initiative, helping develop a new AP curriculum to broaden participation in computing. Students credit him with sparking their passion for CS, even if they start with little background. Beyond CS10, he teaches computer graphics and other courses, always aiming to make learning enjoyable and inclusive. Dan Garcia’s dedication and charismatic teaching style have inspired thousands of students, reflecting Berkeley’s commitment to excellence in education as well as research.

 

46. John DeNero – Teaching Professor of Computer Science (EECS)

John DeNero is a Teaching Professor in EECS and a cornerstone of the undergraduate computing experience at Berkeley. A former Google engineer, DeNero brought his industry experience to academia and quickly became known for co-designing and teaching CS61A: Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs, one of Berkeley’s largest and most influential courses. He has developed novel software (such as OkPy) to support automated grading and projects that allow students to build significant applications early in their CS journey. DeNero’s teaching style is clear, approachable, and deeply supportive – he consistently earns top ratings and was awarded the Distinguished Teaching Award. He co-authored an online textbook for CS61A and spearheaded efforts to offer the course content freely to learners worldwide. During the pandemic, DeNero’s effective online teaching and community-building were widely praised. Colleagues and students alike admire his calm brilliance and commitment to pedagogy. Through his leadership in course development and his mentorship of student tutors, John DeNero has shaped computer science education at Berkeley and beyond, empowering tens of thousands of new programmers.

 

47. Terry Johnson – Teaching Professor of Bioengineering

Terry Johnson is a Teaching Professor in the Bioengineering Department at Berkeley, known for his engaging and student-centered teaching approach in a challenging field. He specializes in synthetic biology and biochemical engineering, but his fame on campus comes from his ability to demystify complex concepts with humor and clarity. Johnson received Berkeley’s Distinguished Teaching Award in 2013, one of the highest honors for faculty, recognizing his excellence in the classroom. Students praise his interactive lectures and real-world examples that make difficult subjects like thermodynamics or enzyme kinetics enjoyable. He has co-authored a popular study guide for biology (“Study Less, Study Smart” approach) and is an academic advisor to many BioE undergrads, often guiding them through the stresses of a rigorous curriculum. Johnson also contributes to curriculum development and outreach, helping to keep Berkeley Bioengineering at the forefront of pedagogy. His genuine care for students – both their mastery of material and their well-being – has made him one of the most beloved instructors in the College of Engineering, proving that great teaching is as crucial to Berkeley’s mission as great research.

 

48. Kathryn Abrams – Professor of Law

Kathryn Abrams is a Professor of Law at Berkeley known for her scholarship on feminist jurisprudence, voting rights, and social movements. She joined the Berkeley Law faculty in 2001 and has since been a leader in critical race and gender theory. Abrams’s work often explores how law can both reflect and reshape cultural understandings of gender and citizenship – for instance, she’s written on the narratives of Latina immigrant activists in the United States, examining how emotions like fear and hope influence political participation. She teaches courses on constitutional law, voting rights, and law & social change, and is praised for bridging theory with practice. Abrams previously held faculty positions at Cornell, where she directed the Women’s Studies program, and at other top law schools. She has authored influential law review articles on workplace harassment and constitutional personhood. At Berkeley, Abrams is deeply involved in mentorship and has chaired the Berkeley Law faculty appointments committee, helping diversify the next generation of legal scholars. Her career demonstrates Berkeley Law’s strengths in both rigorous doctrinal analysis and a commitment to equity and inclusion in the law.

 

49. Alessandro Chiesa – Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences

Alessandro Chiesa is a young star in computer science at Berkeley, specializing in cryptography and computational complexity. He is a co-inventor of zk-SNARKs (Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-Interactive Arguments of Knowledge) – powerful cryptographic protocols that enable proving something is true without revealing the underlying information, which have become vital in blockchain and privacy technologies. Chiesa completed his Ph.D. at MIT and joined Berkeley’s faculty in 2015, where he continued advancing zero-knowledge proofs and verifiable computation. He is also a co-founder of StarkWare Industries, a company developing scalability and privacy solutions for blockchains using STARKs (a related zero-knowledge proof system). Chiesa has received an NSF CAREER Award and a Sloan Fellowship for his work. In the classroom, he developed a new course on computational complexity and teaches popular classes on cryptography and theoretical CS, earning admiration for making abstract theory accessible. Although early in his career, Chiesa is regarded as a leader in bridging theory and practice in cryptography. His presence reinforces Berkeley’s status as a hub for computer security and cryptography research and entrepreneurship.

 

50. Tsu-Jae King Liu – Dean of Engineering; Professor of EECS

Tsu-Jae King Liu is the Dean of the College of Engineering at UC Berkeley and a Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, celebrated for her innovations in semiconductor technology. She co-invented the FinFET, a type of 3D transistor that has powered the last decade of advances in computer chips by offering higher performance and lower power consumption. This breakthrough, developed with Chenming Hu and others, was adopted by industry and is found in virtually all modern processors. King Liu’s research spans nanoelectronic devices, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), and technology for improving manufacturing. She holds over 90 patents and has been inducted into the Silicon Valley Engineering Hall of Fame. As Dean (since 2018), she is the first woman to lead Berkeley Engineering, and she has prioritized diversity, entrepreneurship, and forward-looking curricula. King Liu is a fellow of the IEEE and a member of the National Academy of Engineering. Despite her administrative duties, she continues to teach and mentor students in EECS, serving as an inspiring role model, especially for women in engineering. Under her leadership, Berkeley’s engineering programs remain among the top in the world, driving technological progress and societal impact.

 

Conclusion

UC Berkeley’s influence is ultimately a reflection of the people behind it—professors who combine deep scholarship with a rare ability to shape industries, public policy, scientific progress, and cultural conversations. From pioneering breakthroughs in AI, climate science, and biotechnology to defining work in economics, law, history, and the humanities, the faculty featured in this list represent the breadth of Berkeley’s academic excellence and its long-standing commitment to impact at scale.

If you’re inspired by the caliber of ideas and leadership coming out of Berkeley and want to learn from this ecosystem more directly, explore DigitalDefynd’s curated list of UC Berkeley executive education programs. These programs are designed for professionals who want to sharpen strategic thinking, build cutting-edge skills, and gain practical frameworks from one of the world’s most respected universities—helping you translate world-class learning into real career and business outcomes.