Dr. Dilma Da Silva, a professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, has been designated as a Regents Professor, the highest honor a faculty member can receive in the Texas A&M University System.
Regents Professors are selected based on their contributions to teaching and research but also because of the far-reaching effects of their work on their community. Regents Professor awards were presented at the Faculty Affairs Spring Awards Celebration at the end of the spring semester on Friday, April 26.
Da Silva has contributed to computer science and engineering at a national level — she served as the acting assistant director of Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) at the National Science Foundation from Dec. 11, 2023 to June 2, 2024. She has now returned to her position as the division director of the Division of Computing and Communication Foundations (CCF) at the National Science Foundation.
“I’m so happy that they chose me,” Da Silva said when reflecting on the award. She explained that while success in research is a must for Regents Professors, this award highlights that it is possible to be successful in research while also being “equally passionate” about teaching and service. “People like to see that one can excel at multiple dimensions as a professor,” Da Silva said.
There are two other reasons Da Silva is especially honored to receive this award. First, she is passionate about creating opportunities for computer science research throughout the U.S. and about “enabling and nurturing talent.” She views the Regents Professor designation as “a recognition of [her] dedication to students, to mentoring faculty — to growing people.”
Second, Da Silva is honored to join the ranks of Dr. Nancy Amato and Dr. Jennifer Welch, who have previously been named Regents Professors in the computer science and engineering department. Amato and Welch, who are both now professors emeriti, were her role models in the department. “They’re amazing and continue to inspire me,” Da Silva said.