Professor Anurag Purwar Invited as Visiting Professor at Argentina's Instituto Balseiro
Associate Professor Anurag Purwar of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Stony Brook University was invited
to serve as a visiting professor at the Instituto Balseiro in Bariloche, Argentina, through the prestigious Maldacena Visiting Professors Program in May 2026.
Purwar was one of four internationally recognized scholars selected to receive funding through the program, joining visiting professors from Spain, Australia, and the United States. During his visit, he presented a series of lectures for faculty members, doctoral students, and industry professionals, and delivered an institute-wide keynote address titled "Mechanism Design in the Age of AI: Unifying Geometry, Data, and Intelligence."
Hosted by Professor Juan Carlos Garcia of the Mechanical Engineering Department, who
also holds a joint appointment with Argentina's National Atomic Energy Commission
(CNEA), Purwar's visit fostered international collaboration in advanced manufacturing,
mechanism design, and artificial intelligence.
Reflecting on his experience at Instituto Balseiro, Purwar emphasized the value of sharing research, building connections with students and faculty, and strengthening academic partnerships across institutions.
“Visiting Instituto Balseiro was a memorable experience for me. I enjoyed sharing my research, but just as importantly, I appreciated the chance to tell faculty and students there about Stony Brook University, our department, and the work being done by our students and researchers. The conversations were thoughtful, engaging, and often continued well beyond the lectures. I am grateful to my host Prof. Juan Carlos Garcia and everyone at Instituto Balseiro, INVAP, and CNEA for making me feel so welcome, and I hope this visit is the beginning of a lasting relationship between our institutions.”
The Maldacena Visiting Professors Program brings leading international scholars to Instituto Balseiro to promote scientific collaboration, enrich graduate education, and strengthen research partnerships across disciplines.