From: Shuang (Sean) Luan (UNM)
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ThanhVu Nguyen
Apr 25, 2026, 10:46:28 AM (yesterday) Apr 25
to deepak-kapur-memorial
= Shuang (Sean) Luan, PhD
== Professor and Chair, Department of Computer Science, University of New Mexico
Deepak had a profound impact on UNM Computer Science. He joined the department in 1999 as Chair and helped transform it from primarily a teaching department into a research active one. To support faculty research, he significantly increased the number of TA lines, providing essential teaching support and serving as an important recruiting tool for top graduate students. These changes also helped reduce faculty teaching loads, allowing more time for research.
I joined in 2004 and directly benefited from these efforts. As Chair, Deepak recruited Darko Stefanovic (former long-time department chair), Jared Saia, Patrick Bridges (CARC director), Melanie Moses (too many roles to list from the Dean's Office to the Provost Office and the state), and myself, all of whom are now full professors and form the backbone of the department today.
Deepak truly loved both research and teaching. He cared deeply about his students and was dedicated to supporting their growth, both academically and personally. In a way, it may be a blessing that he passed while doing what he loved throughout his life.
Deepak's office and mine are just one door apart, and we were both usually early. For years, after dropping off my kids at school, I would walk down the empty hallway in Farris to my office. I would see his door ajar. I would say, "Good morning, Deepak!" and he would reply, "Good morning, Sir!" — even though he was far more senior than I am, he always responded that way.
We would often chat over coffee, and sometimes a snack, in the mornings, sharing stories. I know he hated Starbucks Caffe Verona. He was always curious about whatever new sweet treat I had brought in. He would accept them, though reluctantly, while still insisting that he really shouldn't. He will be missed dearly by everyone in the department.
== Professor and Chair, Department of Computer Science, University of New Mexico
Deepak had a profound impact on UNM Computer Science. He joined the department in 1999 as Chair and helped transform it from primarily a teaching department into a research active one. To support faculty research, he significantly increased the number of TA lines, providing essential teaching support and serving as an important recruiting tool for top graduate students. These changes also helped reduce faculty teaching loads, allowing more time for research.
I joined in 2004 and directly benefited from these efforts. As Chair, Deepak recruited Darko Stefanovic (former long-time department chair), Jared Saia, Patrick Bridges (CARC director), Melanie Moses (too many roles to list from the Dean's Office to the Provost Office and the state), and myself, all of whom are now full professors and form the backbone of the department today.
Deepak truly loved both research and teaching. He cared deeply about his students and was dedicated to supporting their growth, both academically and personally. In a way, it may be a blessing that he passed while doing what he loved throughout his life.
Deepak's office and mine are just one door apart, and we were both usually early. For years, after dropping off my kids at school, I would walk down the empty hallway in Farris to my office. I would see his door ajar. I would say, "Good morning, Deepak!" and he would reply, "Good morning, Sir!" — even though he was far more senior than I am, he always responded that way.
We would often chat over coffee, and sometimes a snack, in the mornings, sharing stories. I know he hated Starbucks Caffe Verona. He was always curious about whatever new sweet treat I had brought in. He would accept them, though reluctantly, while still insisting that he really shouldn't. He will be missed dearly by everyone in the department.
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