12 faculty with expertise in AI, data science and optics join ECE

The University of Arizona College of Engineering welcomed 12 faculty members to the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. These experts strengthen ECE's leadership in artificial intelligence, computing and quantum systems.

The expansion bolsters the department's industry-inspired degree programs: computer science and engineering, electrical and computer engineering and software engineering. The programs give students the flexibility to explore the entire technology stack, from circuits and sensors to algorithms and applications.

"Our strength lies in the diversity of expertise and collaboration across our programs," said Michael Wu, department head and Thomas R. Brown Leadership Chair of electrical and computer engineering. "Combining hardware, software and intelligent systems under one department creates an environment where innovation thrives and where students can lead the technologies of the future."

Ushering in the department's next era

David Ebert, the university’s first chief AI and data science officer, is the inaugural Computer Science and Engineering Endowed Innovation Chair in ECE. As part of this role, he advises the computer science and engineering program.

"I am excited to help create an innovative program that advances education, research and applications at the forefront of the field and positions our graduates and faculty for future opportunities," Ebert said.

Assistant professor Jingdi Chen leads ECE's ANNIE (Agents, Novelty, Nurturing, Incentives, Exploration) Research Group, which designs intelligent, efficient and interpretable multi-agent systems for collaborative, secure and fair decision-making.

"My research focuses on areas such as reinforcement learning, fairness, network optimization, cybersecurity and explainable AI," said Chen.

Associate professor of practice Diana Diazh is dedicated to getting students involved in research and mentoring them toward making a difference in the world. She previously served as an associate professor of practice in the Department of Computer Science.

Assistant professor Shelbi Jenkins, a U of A alumna, joined ECE after working in the private sector as an optical engineer. Her research focuses on photonic device design and analytical modeling to advance quantum networking technologies.

Assistant professor Xiaolong Ma joined the university from Clemson University, where he was an assistant professor in electrical and computer engineering. His research encompasses machine learning and deep learning, optimization, computer vision, large language models and data science.

Assistant professor Changlong Wu studies the intersection of AI theory and information theory. Wu previously served as a visiting assistant professor at Purdue University and a postdoctoral researcher at the National Science Foundation Center for Science of Information.

"I felt this department was a great match for my work and an exciting opportunity to grow alongside the college's initiatives," he said.

Assistant professor Qingzhao Zhang integrates software analysis, AI security and network design to improve the safety and reliability of cyberphysical systems – technology that links computers to the physical world, such as in autonomous vehicles and industrial control systems.

Software engineers broaden student opportunities

As part of a major departmental expansion, the software engineering program joined ECE, uniting expertise across hardware, software and computing systems under one department.

Software engineering faculty members include Tomas Cerny, associate professor; Sen He, assistant professor; Diana Saldaña Jimenez, assistant professor of practice; Pratik Satam, assistant professor; and Sharon ONeal, professor of practice.

Cerny takes a collaborative approach to teaching and mentoring.

"I love working with students as a team partner and peer adviser," he said. "I want them to see that education isn’t just about engagement. It’s also about finding joy and mindfulness in the learning process."

Jimenez shares that dedication to student success and outreach.

"I want to help undergraduate students find their career goals and secure a job or internship opportunities," she said.

Sen He wants to bridge software engineering with ECE's strengths in computing and hardware.

"What excites me most is connecting software engineering with ECE and computer science," he said. "I look forward to collaborating on interdisciplinary projects that combine software methodologies with hardware-aware optimization and system design."