Announcing the 2025 CRA Undergraduate Research Faculty Mentoring Award Recipients
By Kayley McDonald, Program Associate, CRA-E
The Computing Research Association (CRA) and its Education Committee (CRA-E) are proud to announce the three recipients of the 2025 CRA Undergraduate Research Faculty Mentoring Award: Ryan Kastner of the University of California San Diego, Layla Oesper of Carleton College, and Blase Ur of the University of Chicago.
These outstanding individuals are being recognized for their exceptional mentorship, dedication to undergraduate research experiences, and parallel efforts in guiding their students through the admission and matriculation process for research-focused graduate programs in computing.
Ryan Kastner – University of California San Diego
Ryan Kastner is a Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of California San Diego, where he holds the William Nachbar Endowed Chair.
He received a Ph.D. from UCLA and master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Northwestern University. His research spans three primary areas: hardware acceleration, hardware security, and remote sensing. He has made significant contributions to accelerate computationally intensive tasks, enhancing the security of computing systems, and improving remote sensing technologies used in applications ranging from oceanography, biology, and archaeology.
Dr. Kastner is deeply committed to undergraduate research mentorship, guiding students in tackling real-world challenges at the intersection of hardware and software. Through his mentorship, students in the Engineers for Exploration program and the Kastner Research Group have engaged in projects that advance hardware acceleration, improve the security of computing systems, and explore innovative remote sensing applications. His undergraduate mentees have co-authored numerous published research papers, and many have continued to pursue graduate studies.
Dr. Kastner’s approach to mentoring is hands-on and collaborative, fostering a dynamic environment where students develop the technical expertise and critical thinking skills needed to excel as researchers and leaders in the rapidly advancing field of computer science and engineering.
Layla Oesper – Carleton College
Layla Oesper is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Carleton College, specializing in algorithms development for computational biology with a focus on cancer research. She earned her Ph.D. from Brown University, and has made significant contributions to algorithms used in large-scale genomic data analysis, aiming to enhance our understanding of complex biological systems and improve health outcomes.
Dr. Oesper has been a driving force in empowering undergraduate researchers to excel and push the boundaries of computational biology. Her students have co-authored peer-reviewed publications, presented at conferences, and launched successful careers in both academia and industry. By creating a collaborative and inclusive research environment, she ensures that her students not only develop technical expertise but also cultivate the critical thinking and problem-solving skills necessary to lead the future of computer science.
Dr. Oesper’s mentorship continues to inspire her students to achieve greatness and make meaningful contributions to society.
Blase Ur – University of Chicago
Blase Ur is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Chicago. His group’s research spans computer security, privacy, ethical AI, and the design of usable computing systems. He earned his Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University. He and his students work to bridge the gap between technical systems and the human-centered concerns of the real world, aiming to create secure and ethical technologies.
Dr. Ur has played a pivotal role in nurturing the next generation of computer science researchers. Through his extensive undergraduate mentorship, he has inspired students to tackle interdisciplinary challenges, empowering them to become thought leaders in the field. He especially focuses on involving first-year and second-year undergraduates in research as part of fostering their long-term engagement with projects. Many of his students have gone on to lead and publish influential research, pursue graduate studies, and make meaningful contributions to both academia and industry.
His commitment to mentorship ensures that his students are well-equipped to drive innovation and shape the future of computer science.
Recognizing Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentorship
CRA congratulates Dr. Kastner, Dr. Oesper, and Dr. Ur on this well-deserved recognition and thanks them for their outstanding contributions to undergraduate research mentorship. Their dedication helps shape the next generation of computing researchers, fostering a strong and diverse pipeline of talent in the field.
To learn more about past recipients of the CRA Undergraduate Research Faculty Mentoring Award and their impact, we invite you to explore the bios of previous winners on the CRA website.
Each fall, CRA opens the call for nominations for the next cycle of this award. Faculty, academic leaders, and colleagues who have witnessed exceptional mentoring efforts are encouraged to submit a nomination when the next cycle begins. For more details on the award and nomination process, visit the CRA website or contact mentoring_awards@cra.org with any questions.
