Jennifer Tour Chayes Receives 2025 Richard A. Tapia Achievement Award for Scientific Scholarship, Civic Science, and Diversifying Computing

CHICAGO, June 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Center for Minorities and People with Disabilities in IT (CMD-IT) proudly announces that Jennifer Tour Chayes, Dean of the College of Computing, Data Science, and Society at the University of California, Berkeley, has been awarded the Richard A. Tapia Achievement Award for Scientific Scholarship, Civic Science, and Diversifying Computing.

This prestigious award honors a scientist or engineer whose impact extends beyond scholarship to civic engagement, mentorship, and broadening participation in computing. Dr. Chayes exemplifies these values through her groundbreaking research and tireless commitment to inclusion in tech.

"I've known and admired Richard Tapia for over thirty years, and it's a tremendous honor to receive an award that bears his name," said Chayes. "We must create opportunities for everyone to discover their strengths in STEM and computing."

As Dean, Chayes led the creation of UC Berkeley's College of Computing, Data Science, and Society—the university's first new college in over 50 years. She also holds faculty appointments in electrical engineering and computer sciences, information, mathematics, and statistics.

Before joining Berkeley in 2020, Chayes spent over 20 years at Microsoft, where she was a Technical Fellow and founded research labs in New England, New York City, and Montreal—each known for interdisciplinary innovation.

Her scholarly contributions include more than 150 papers, 30 patents, and co-founding the field of graphons, which are now used widely in machine learning for large-scale networks. "I started with theoretical math, but in recent years I've focused on applying that work to real- world problems—like using generative AI to design materials for carbon capture and sustainability," she said.

Chayes has received numerous honors, including election to the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the John von Neumann Prize, and an honorary doctorate from Leiden University.

She is also a leading voice in advancing equity in computing and data science fields. "Perseverance matters more than talent. Just keep going. And mentor others—it gives you strength when you need it most," Chayes advised. "Even if you don't fully believe in yourself, act as if you do. Confidence will come."

The Richard A. Tapia Achievement Award will be formally presented at the 2025 Tapia Conference, held September 10–12 at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Dallas, Texas.

Media Contact:
Kristin Wert
[email protected]
www.cmd-it.org

SOURCE CMD-IT