Amanda Fernandez

Amanda Fernandez is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), where she contributes significantly to research, teaching, and interdisciplinary collaboration. She will be a faculty member in the newly launching College of AI, Cyber and Computing in Fall 2025, reflecting her central role in advancing UTSA's strategic focus on emerging technologies.

Her research lies at the intersection of artificial intelligence, deep learning, computer vision, and computer science education. She directs the UTSA Vision and AI Lab (VAIL) and serves as Machine Learning & Deployment Thrust Lead for MATRIX: The AI Consortium for Human Well-Being, and as a Principal Investigator in the Consortium on Nuclear Security Technologies (CONNECT). Her work emphasizes explainable and robust AI, with applications in nuclear materials, VR/AR, and biomedical signals like ECG.

The 15 most recent publications reflect a strong trend in explainable AI, adversarial robustness, and AI-enhanced education. Her work spans technical AI research (e.g., ICML, CVPR workshops) and educational innovation (e.g., SIGCSE, RESPECT), demonstrating a dual commitment to advancing both the science and pedagogy of computing. Themes include model attribution, training optimization, semantic segmentation, and the integration of LLMs in introductory CS courses.

• Senior Member of the IEEE
• Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI)
• Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF)
• Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
• Supported by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)

Fernandez is deeply committed to mentoring undergraduate researchers through her CS-CURE course, which provides hands-on research experience. She advises student organizations including ACM-W and GDSC, and leads initiatives such as CS4SA to increase Latinx participation in computer science. Her grants support both research and educational outreach, emphasizing inclusivity and workforce development.

She leads the Vision and AI Lab (VAIL) at UTSA and is an integral member of two major research consortia: MATRIX and CONNECT, fostering collaboration across institutions including Los Alamos National Lab, Argonne National Lab, and UNLV.