Yu Chen

Yu Chen is an Associate Professor in the School of Information Systems and Technology at San José State University’s Lucas College and Graduate School of Business. She holds a PhD in Computer and Communication Sciences from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology at Lausanne (EPFL), and has held postdoctoral positions at the University of California, Irvine. Her work bridges human-computer interaction, AI, and social impact, with a strong focus on education and inclusive innovation.

• PhD, Computer and Communication, EPFL, Switzerland
• MS, Security and Mobile Computing, Aalto University, Finland
• MS, Security and Mobile Computing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Norway
• BE, Information Security, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), China

Her research centers on human-AI interaction, AI for social good, emerging technology education, and health informatics. She is particularly interested in how chat-based interfaces can support student success, career advising, and community problem-solving. She emphasizes design thinking, empathy, and interdisciplinary collaboration in her pedagogy.

Her recent publications span AI education, chatbot design, inclusive learning, and ethical AI. A recurring theme is the use of conversational agents to empower students and address societal challenges such as food insecurity, housing, and mental health. The research demonstrates a strong commitment to experiential learning and real-world impact.

• Collaborative Research: Broadening Inclusive Participation in AI Undergraduate Education (NSF)
• Girls in AI: AI Education for K-12 Girls (SJSU RSCA)
• Innovation Farm: AI-Powered Social Innovation (SJSU CEP)
• AI Counselors and Tutors for Student Development (SJSU RSCA)

Yu Chen has received numerous honors, including the SJSU College of Business Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching Award (2024), multiple Master Teacher Awards, and recognition for research excellence at AMCIS and ICIS. She was also awarded the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship and a Swiss National Science Foundation fellowship.

She actively mentors undergraduate students in research, many of whom have co-authored peer-reviewed publications and won awards in student competitions. Her lab, the AI for Social Good initiative, fosters a collaborative, student-driven environment where interdisciplinary teams prototype AI solutions for community challenges. She advocates for trust in students, no-code tools, and education that is relevant, creative, and socially responsible.