Dr. Theodore (Ted) S. Rappaport
Class of 2024-25
David Lee/Ernst Weber Professor of Electrical Engineering
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Tandon School of Engineering
New York University
Known for his pioneering work in wireless communications, Theodore S. Rappaport is considered the “father of 5G millimeter wave.” Rappaport demonstrated the viability of millimeterwave frequency bands for wi-fi and cellular applications, revolutionizing the telecommunications industry.
His research encompasses wireless communications theory, radio propagation, antennas, channel modeling, radio circuit design and millimeter-wave and terahertz communications. Rappaport also developed a global standard for modeling millimeter-wave wireless communication channels and the waste factor theory to quantify energy efficiency in communication networks.
Rappaport earned his Ph.D. from Purdue University.
He is the founding director of NYU WIRELESS, a multidisciplinary academic research center at New York University.
Rappaport is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, the Wireless History Foundation Wireless Hall of Fame, and a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the Radio Club of America.
Honors include the IEEE Eric E. Sumner Field Award; the American Society for Engineering Education Frederick E. Terman Award; induction into the IEEE Vehicular Technology Society Hall of Fame; the Institution of Engineering and Technology Sir Monty Finniston Award for Achievement in Engineering and Technology; the University of Texas Joe J. King Professional Engineering Achievement Award; the Virginia Tech Distinguished Alumni Award; recognition as a National Science Foundation Presidential Faculty Fellow; and the Marconi Society Young Scientist Award.
He has authored 24 books, including four textbooks, and has more than 100 U.S. and international patent applications issued or pending.
Rappaport will collaborate with faculty and students in the College of Engineering.