Professor Kotagiri is well known internationally for his outstanding contributions in the area of database systems. In particular, his work on optimal multi-dimensional indexing techniques and query optimisation techniques for deductive database systems are significant and important contributions. Under his leadership a deductive database system, ADITI, has been developed. He was a Director of the Key Centre for Knowledge Based Systems, Research Director for the Cooperative Research Centre for Intelligent Decision Systems, and is currently Deputy Director of the Special Research Centre for Ultra Broadband Information Networks. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Engineers Australia and the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.