Prof. Dana Vrajitoru
Associate Professor, Chair & Student Club Advisor - Computer Science & Informatics
Indiana University South Bend
A computer scientist specializing in genetic algorithms, neural networks, and AI - and the kind of mentor who shapes how students think about algorithms and complexity.
Professor Vrajitoru researches genetic algorithms, intelligent systems, simulation and modeling, parallel computation, and artificial intelligence. Her award-winning work on neural network path decision ('Global to Local for Path Decision using Neural Networks', Best Presentation at PRAI 2018) and shared memory genetic algorithms (Best Paper nominee at GECCO 2010) bridges theoretical CS with practical AI. She co-authored 'Practical Analysis of Algorithms' (Springer, 2014), a foundational textbook in the field. As department chair, she has shaped the CS program at IU South Bend and mentored students across algorithms, BCI research, and AI model optimization projects.
Featured because she's one of the most approachable CS department leaders in Indiana. As chair at IU South Bend, she actively advises the student CS club, collaborates with students on BCI and AI optimization projects, and co-authored a widely used algorithms textbook (Springer). If you're an Indiana student interested in genetic algorithms, neural networks, or practical algorithm analysis, her department is a strong place to start.