Dr. Shirish Nagaraj, Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering
Dr. Shirish Nagaraj has built an exceptional career in wireless communications, combining deep technical expertise with visionary leadership across multiple generations of network technologies. A proud graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Dr. Nagaraj earned both his M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering under the guidance of Prof. Yih-Fang Huang, after completing his undergraduate studies in Electrical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. He received the Best Researcher award from the University for his doctoral work. Following his graduate work, Dr. Nagaraj began his professional journey in advanced research and development roles with several leading technology firms, including Lucent Technologies / Bell Labs, Motorola, Nokia and Intel Corporation. In each position, he helped pioneer solutions in wireless RAN architecture, adaptive, intelligent and cooperative networks, and distributed MIMO technologies—areas that continue to shape modern networks. He was an early innovator in the application of machine learning and AI for practical problems in wireless networks.
Dr. Nagaraj went on to serve as Director of Systems Engineering and Advanced Technologies at SpiderCloud Wireless, a Corning Incorporated subsidiary focused on enterprise cellular and small-cell systems. His leadership there helped drive innovation in multi-carrier enterprise networks and indoor wireless coverage solutions. He later advanced to Chief Technologist and Senior Director of Wireless R&D for Corning’s Wireless business, where he led development initiatives in 5G RAN and neutral-host wireless infrastructure. In addition, he has also held product management and business leadership roles at Corning.
Today, Dr. Nagaraj serves as Senior Vice President of Global R&D at Airspan Networks Inc., where he oversees product and technology development for the company’s wireless small-cells, distributed antenna systems, ORAN radios and air-to-ground communication systems portfolio. In this role, he leads global teams responsible for shaping the future of enterprise and carrier wireless systems, both for terrestrial and non-terrestrial applications.
A prolific inventor, Dr. Nagaraj holds numerous patents in wireless communications, including innovations in beamforming, network resource management, and dynamic RF optimization. His work has been cited across industry and academic platforms, underscoring his influence on both the theoretical and applied aspects of wireless design. He has collaborated with Universities on research programs, mentored PhDs, and given tutorials at various IEEE conferences. His work has received the IEEE WCNC Best Paper award as well as numerous industry innovation awards. He is a member of the Wireless Infrastructure Association’s Innovation and Technology Council, where he contributes thought leadership on the evolution of Private 5G, enterprise connectivity, and open RAN systems. He also serves as a co-chair of the Neutral Host Infrastructure Sharing working group at the Telecom Infra Project, which champions the use of shared network solutions for in-building connectivity.
Throughout his career, Dr. Nagaraj has remained connected to the academic and professional communities that shaped his early path. Reflecting on his journey, he shares:
“My time at Notre Dame instilled in me the value of understanding systems end-to-end—from algorithms to applications. True innovation happens when you bridge rigorous technical insight with real-world challenges. My professional life has been guided by the three motivational pillars of autonomy, mastery and purpose.
Collaborating with talented professionals, mentoring young students, and seeing technology make a tangible impact on people’s lives have all reinforced the sense of purpose I first discovered at Notre Dame. It’s rare to find the kind of collegial, interdisciplinary, and collaborative environment that Notre Dame fosters, and I deeply value the lessons I gained from both faculty and peers.
To today’s students and young engineers, my advice is simple: stay curious, keep learning, collaborate openly, be unafraid to take a leap into the unknown, and always remember the human impact of the technologies you help create.”
Dr. Nagaraj’s contributions continue to advance the boundaries of wireless technology, making him a distinguished representative of the Wireless Institute’s alumni community.