Professor Adel Alaeddini has been appointed as the associate director for academic programs in the UTSA School of Data Science (SDS). In this newly created role, he will develop a long-term strategy for the university’s programs in data science, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to meet persistent workforce demands.
A professor of mechanical engineering in the Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design, Alaeddini joined the School of Data Science as a core faculty member and was appointed to the school’s faculty advisory council in 2022.
“Dr. Alaeddini brings the bold thinking, collaborative spirit and deep domain knowledge that the appointment demands to serve our data science and AI students well,” SDS Founding Director David Mongeau said. “He has a proven track record in research, teaching and strategic partnerships that will ensure our programs continue to evolve to prepare UTSA students for success in diverse data science and AI careers.”
“Dr. Alaeddini brings the bold thinking, collaborative spirit and deep domain knowledge that the appointment demands to serve our data science and AI students well.”
As associate director for academic programs, Alaeddini will inform the development of UTSA’s undergraduate and graduate data science, AI and ML programs, ensuring quality and scalability.
Collaborating with associate deans, department chairs, and other key stakeholder across the university, he will work to implement a cohesive strategy to equip students with the practical knowledge and skills needed to thrive in diverse industries that depend on data science and AI.
Alaeddini is director of the as well as the university’s Advanced Data Engineering Laboratory. His research focuses on developing advanced data analytics tools for solving complex problems in health care, defense and manufacturing.
His work has been funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, CPS Energy, National Science Foundation, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, National Institutes of Health and the Department of Veteran Affairs, among others.
“I am excited to join the leadership team of the School of Data Science to support its vital work in exploring the boundless potential of data science and analytics,” said Alaeddini. “Through close collaboration with both UTSA and external partners, we can ensure that our students have rich opportunities to discover, learn and apply data science and AI skills across multiple fields and industries to make meaningful, positive impact on society and the economy.”
The School of Data Science, the only one of its kind at a Carnegie R1, U.S. Hispanic Serving Institution, was established to educate top data scientists and lead the nation in data-intensive research. It currently serves nearly 1,000 students.
