YEREVAN, Armenia — The American University of Armenia (AUA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Rev Lebaredian, vice president of Omniverse and Simulation Technology at NVIDIA, to the American University of Armenia Corporation (AUAC) Board.
The Board of Trustees plays a crucial role in the growth and development of the University, and together, its members’ combined experience and efforts help guide AUA in making strategic decisions that will continue to lead the University in its long-range planning and its sustained commitment to academic excellence. The members of the Board help shape AUA’s policies, ensure the University’s financial health, and maintain its position as a premier institution of higher education in Armenia. With their expertise in their respective fields, the new members bring unique perspectives to complement a novel approach to AUA’s path to growth.
Mr. Lebaredian brings more than three decades of experience in the computer graphics industry. His career has taken him through roles at Warner Bros. Digital and Disney’s Dream Quest Images before he launched his own venture, Steamboat Software.
Top visual effects studios worldwide have used his work in rendering and volumetric algorithms in numerous popular films, including Stuart Little, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, X2: X-Men United, and many more.
After joining NVIDIA in 2002, Lebaredian began work on the first shading language for programmable GPUs. Since then, he has led teams tackling a wide range of challenges, from large-scale automated testing of 3D applications (GTL) and real-time physics simulation (PhysX) to in-game photography (Ansel), robotics simulation (Isaac Sim), and immersive product design and visualization (Project Holodeck).
For the past several years, Lebaredian and his teams have been integrating NVIDIA’s advancements in rendering, physics simulation, and artificial intelligence (AI) into a single platform for creating and simulating physically accurate virtual worlds — NVIDIA Omniverse. Currently, he leads the product, engineering, and research teams of NVIDIA Omniverse, an open platform that enables developers to build and operate physical AI and robotic system simulation applications.
What motivated you to join the AUA Board of Trustees?
An educated citizenry is essential to the survival and prosperity of the Republic of Armenia. Our only natural resource is our talented and hard-working people. Higher education is the way we will unlock Armenia’s potential energy, and through AUA I can do my small part to help accelerate this transformation.
What is your vision for the future of the University?
Armenian higher education needs to be world class for Armenia to prosper. With our limited population and resources, we can’t be world-class in every field, and discipline — but we can be strategic and choose a few key areas to be the world’s best.
I would like to see AUA focus on one segment of one discipline and become world-class in that area. Once we prove we can be the world’s best at one thing, we will expand to other disciplines.
What particular skills from your background do you expect to draw on in this role?
My more than two decades at NVIDIA, working with and leading the world’s finest computer scientists, engineers, and researchers has given me firsthand experience in navigating the foggy unknown of frontier technology and research. NVIDIA is unique in that we aim for a vision of the future that’s barely possible, while managing our company through the turbulent present.
At NVIDIA, I’ve learned how to dream of a bright future while staying alive and in the game long enough to achieve those dreams. I hope to bring NVIDIA’s unique combination of strategy and first-principled long-term vision to AUA.
Media Coverage
[Mirror Spectator] NVIDIA Vice President Lebaredian Joins AUA Board
[PanArmenian] NVIDIA VP joins board of American University of Armenia
[News.am] «NVIDIA»-Ի փոխնախագահը միացել է Հայաստանի ամերիկյան համալսարանի կորպորացիայի խորհրդին
[Asbarez] Rev Lebaredian Appointed to AUA Board of Trustees
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.
