Aarathi Prasad, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Computer Science, Skidmore College
Office: CIS 240B
Contact: aprasad at skidmore dot edu
Office hours (Fall 2023): Mon 9:30-10:30am, Tue 2:15-2:45pm, Thu 10-10:30am, Fri 10:30-11:30am

FAQ for students
My research group
Mentions in the news
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) and National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) member
Short bio and CV (pdf, last updated: August 2023)

ADK 46er #13344, I'm an avid hiker. See a list I compiled of good hikes, trails, and XC ski areas within two hours of Skidmore. I'm also a trained Indian classical dancer. For more info, see my personal page.
Research Teaching

I direct the Skidmore Smart Devices Lab, where creative thought meets technology. We focus on problems on usability and usable security and privacy in the field of mobile and wearable computing, Internet of Things, mHealth applications and wireless networks. My research has given me the opportunity to collaborate with excellent faculty and students in Psychology, Sociology, Physics and Dance departments at Skidmore and Union College.

Current Projects:
  • addressing the privacy issues in mobile health apps
  • addressing security and privacy issues in genomic databases
  • designing tools to monitor problematic smart device usage
  • understanding the influence of poetry on mental wellbeing
Past Projects:
  • understanding user expectations of use of smart devices in their homes
  • understanding how children use smart assistants
  • understanding factors that affect privacy attitudes of Internet users
  • developing wearable sensors for monitoring physical health
  • developing AR smartphone apps for addressing mental health issues

I teach introductory, and systems courses in computer science.
  • Introduction to Computer Science - I
  • Computer Organization
    • Sample assignment: building a simulated computer
  • Computer Networks
    • Sample assignment: building a mini-Internet called SkidNet
  • Mobile Computing
    • Sample assignment: a to-do list smartphone app
Senior Theses:
  • Zoe Beals '22: Exploring a goal-oriented approach for addressing problematic smartphone use
  • Afia Semin '20: Security Analysis and Implementation of Convex Hull Click Emoji
Independent Study projects:
  • Zoe Beals '22: smartphone app for managing phone use
  • William Shelley '21 and Paula Cabas: smartphone app for Adirondack Film Festival
  • Bryan McQuade '18: smartphone app using AR for exposure therapy
  • Conor Haegley and Andrew Riggs '18: smartphone app using AR for navigation

You do not have to be a CS major to do research with me. I have worked with several first year students with minimal programming experience, as well as students who have never taken a CS course before! If you are interested in doing research with me, see FAQ!