Shubhangi Saraf receives 2022–23 McLean Award

Published: November 9, 2023

Shubhangi Saraf, an associate professor in the Faculty of Arts & Science’s departments of computer science and mathematics, is the 2022-23 recipient of the McLean Award. 

The McLean Award is part of the University of Toronto’s Connaught Fund and is given in support of basic research in physics, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, engineering sciences or statistical sciences. It is awarded to an outstanding researcher early in their career to assist in attracting and supporting graduate students and post-doctoral fellows as part of their research team. 

“I feel deeply honoured and also incredibly grateful for the award and for the support from my colleagues,” Saraf says.  “The McLean Award will greatly help in enabling and advancing the growth of junior researchers in my field.” 

A global research leader in computational complexity theory and coding theory, Saraf’s work brings together diverse areas of mathematics, allowing her to produce cutting-edge research that addresses some of the most challenging and fundamental questions in theoretical computer science. 

“Through her rigorous research and outstanding record of achievement, Shubhangi Saraf is advancing our understanding of open questions in computer science and mathematics, such as the power and limitations of efficient computation,” says Leah Cowen, U of T’s vice-president, research and innovation, and strategic initiatives. “The insights she harnesses from both computing and mathematics demonstrate the power and impact of interdisciplinary research.”

“The University of Toronto congratulates her on this important recognition of her work.”