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By Kelsey Kendall

Khan Iftekharuddin, Ph.D., will serve as the inaugural director of �鶹��ý’s Virginia Beach Data Science Institute. Opened in November 2023, the institute is a hub for research, collaboration and instruction, bringing together interdisciplinary teams to discover solutions to complex societal challenges the Hampton Roads community faces.

“This Institute and this (School of Data Science) are the right place to pursue that,” Dr. Iftekharuddin said. “It’s going to bring together the students, the faculty members, the researchers and everyone else from across different disciplines and be able to do team science at that level where it really brings the benefit not just to the University, but also to the region and beyond.”

He concurrently serves as the director of the �鶹��ý Vision Lab, which develops innovative algorithms and systems for human-machine interaction, biomedical imaging and environmental resilience using computer vision, signal processing and artificial intelligence.

His research in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, image analysis and computer vision has wide-reaching implications. He has worked on creating computational models that help identify brain tumors in MRI images, assisting clinicians in better diagnosis, patient follow-up and survivability prediction. Similarly, his research developed AI and machine learning methods to monitor and detect water extent and depth on the roadways of flood-prone areas like Hampton Roads. These solutions can alert drivers and help them to plan their routes ahead.

“There is so much data out there, and most of the data is still not really analyzed and used,” Dr. Iktekharuddin said. “It’s like, ‘How much can you do?’ The opportunities, I think, are endless.”

Dr. Iftekharuddin has worked with the University since 2011, holding numerous leadership roles over the years. He is a professor and Batten Endowed Chair in machine learning in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

“�鶹��ý is place where you are valued as a faculty member, staff member and student,” Dr. Iftekharuddin said. “This place also provides opportunity to grow and pursue your ideas.”

Prior to his current roles, Dr. Iftekharuddin was the associate dean for research and graduate studies/innovation and interim dean of the Batten College of Engineering and Technology.

He has received many accolades throughout his career. In 2023, he was recognized by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia’s Outstanding Faculty award. He has made significant contributions to his field and is among the top 2% most-cited scientists in the world, according to recent Stanford University rankings. Additionally, he received �鶹��ý’s 2020 Faculty Research, Scholarship and Creative Achievement Award and was recognized for his research by �鶹��ý’s Batten College, the University of Memphis and North Dakota State University in 2014, 2011 and 2000, respectively.

The institute falls under the School of Data Science, one of three academic units that make up the Interdisciplinary Schools. When the school launched in the spring of 2023, Dr. Iftekharuddin played a role in its establishment. Its mission is to foster innovative data science and AI research and development and facilitate collaborations between �鶹��ý and public and private sectors.

“I am excited to collaborate with Dr. Iftekharuddin to further expand the research and outreach activities in Virginia Beach,” said Frank Liu, Ph.D., director of the School of Data Science. “I look forward to the new opportunities for the students and faculty of the School of Data Science, as well as the broader Virginia Beach community.”