Kiri Wagstaff

Kiri Wagstaff is a Senior Lecturer at Oregon State University's College of Engineering, where she teaches a graduate course on "Machine Learning Challenges in the Real World." She previously served as a Principal Researcher in Machine Learning at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and as an AI Subject Matter Expert in the U.S. Senate via the AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellowship. She also holds a Master of Library and Information Science and contributes to AI education and policy initiatives, including co-chairing the ICML 2025 Position Paper track and advising on NSF AI Institutes.

• Education:
  • Ph.D. in Computer Science, Cornell University, 2002
  • M.S. in Geological Sciences, University of Southern California, 2008
  • MLIS in Library and Information Science, San Jose State University, 2017
  • B.S. in Computer Science, University of Utah, 1997

Her research bridges Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Space Exploration, focusing on real-world deployments of AI systems. She has developed algorithms for planetary data systems at NASA, explored AI's role in library collection management, and contributed to AI literacy initiatives. Her work emphasizes practical applications, such as using seismic data from Mars to correlate with visual impact features and improving decision-making in academic libraries via machine learning.

Recent publications highlight interdisciplinary trends: AI in planetary science (2025), library automation (2018), and digital reading habits (2017). These works span machine learning, data science, and human-computer interaction, with a technical focus on clustering algorithms, adaptive data processing, and cross-domain AI deployment.

• Scientific Awards:
  • Fellow of AAAI (2023)
  • NASA Exceptional Technology Achievement Medal (2020, 2012)
  • NASA Group Achievement Awards (2014)
  • Lew Allen Award for Excellence in Research (2008)
  • Young Alumni Par Excellence Award (University of Utah, 2012)

She has advised AI policy legislation, including the Consumers LEARN AI Act, and engages in community work through the Oregon Master Naturalist program, aviation safety initiatives, and volunteer efforts at libraries and wildlife conservation projects.