Mehrdad Mohammadi, a Ph.D. candidate in statistics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, has received the 2025 Illinois International Graduate Achievement Award. The honor recognizes his impactful international research and service that have made a meaningful difference both on campus and beyond.
His research focuses on applying statistical reinforcement learning and machine learning to medical science. But his contributions go far beyond academics. Mohammadi founded the Statistics Doctoral Student Association, serves on the Chancellor’s advisory council on Middle East Affairs, and helped launch the SALAAM MENA Cultural Center—one of the first university-based centers in the U.S. focused on Middle Eastern and North African cultures.
He’s also worked to preserve and celebrate Iranian heritage on campus, creating a Persian-language guidebook for new students and leading the development of "Iranian Illini Since 1907," a booklet documenting the history of Iranian students at Illinois. Through the Iranian Heritage Foundation, he’s organized cultural events that bring together students, faculty, staff, and local families from diverse backgrounds.
“Mehrdad has an exceptional ability to launch and lead projects that make a real impact,” said Emad Tajkhorshid, professor of biochemistry and Mohammadi’s nominator. “His efforts have enriched our community in so many ways.”
Mohammadi holds dual master’s degrees in mathematics and statistics from Illinois, as well as degrees in economics from Penn State and the University of Bologna, and a bachelor’s in finance and accounting from Iran.
In addition to the International Graduate Achievement Award, Mohammadi was recently named the recipient of the 2025 Bridge Builder Award at the 14th Annual Social Justice Awards. Presented by the Office of Diversity & Social Justice Education, the award honors his efforts to build a more inclusive and equitable campus community through leadership, service, and advocacy.