Garud Iyengar, a longtime professor of industrial engineering and operations research, has been chosen to lead Columbia’s Data Science Institute (DSI), effective July 1.
As the next Avanessians Director of DSI, Iyengar will oversee a multidisciplinary research institute that brings together academics from across the entire University to apply big-data solutions to real-world challenges in areas like climate, health, finance, politics, and urban planning.
Iyengar, whose own research focuses on improving the efficiency of supply chains, sensor networks, and other complex systems, has been involved in DSI since its creation in 2012, helping to launch its PhD concentration, seed-fund program, and postdoctoral program.
A member of Columbia’s faculty since 1998, Iyengar is also the engineering school’s senior vice dean for research and academic programs.
“As the Data Science Institute builds on its decade-plus record of remarkable success in advancing the frontiers of the field, developing collaborations across Columbia’s many schools, and training the next generation of data-science leaders, it is in exceptionally capable hands,” said President Minouche Shafik in announcing Iyengar’s appointment. “Garud brings a wealth of experience in academic leadership and a long record of success in convening faculty from disparate fields to tackle pressing interdisciplinary challenges.”
