New York: Columbia University has announced the appointment of Garud Iyengar as the new Avanessians director of the Data Science Institute (DSI), effective July 1.
In the new role, Iyengar will play a pivotal role in spearheading Columbia’s AI initiative by collaborating with EVP for research Jeannette Wing and Columbia engineering dean Shih-Fu Chang, the university said in an official statement.
Having joined Columbia Engineering in 1998, Iyengar currently serves as the Tang Family Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research. Additionally he serves as senior vice dean for research and academic programs, leading educational programs, and large-scale interdisciplinary research at the school.
Iyengar has also served as associate director for research from 2017-19 and helped launch the Institute’s PhD concentration, seed fund program, and postdoc program. He completed his B Tech in electrical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology in 1993 and a PhD in electrical engineering from Stanford University in 1998.
In response to his appointment, Iyengar said, “I am honored to lead the Data Science Institute as we continue to advance the frontiers of the field and train the next generation of data science leaders. I look forward to partnering with EVP for Research Jeannette Wing and Columbia Engineering Dean Shih-Fu Chang to drive innovation and collaboration in this crucial area.”
“I am excited to build upon the institute’s decade-plus record of success and further strengthen its impact across Columbia’s diverse schools,” he added.
