Yelena Yesha

Yelena Yesha serves as Professor and Knight Foundation Endowed Chair of Data Science and AI at the University of Miami's College of Arts and Sciences, with dual appointments in the Department of Computer Science and Department of Radiology. She holds several leadership positions including Innovation Officer at the Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing (IDSC), Director of IDSC AI + Machine Learning, Board Member and Senior Liaison for Industry Interaction at the Institute of the Mathematical Sciences of the Americas (IMSA), and Founding Director of NSF CARTA.

Her research spans multiple interdisciplinary domains with strong emphasis on artificial intelligence and data science applications. She develops machine learning models for civil engineering problems like concrete strength prediction, creates blockchain solutions for IoT and government applications, and applies natural language processing to medical imaging and healthcare analytics. Her work demonstrates exceptional ability to bridge computer science with practical applications in engineering, healthcare, and public policy.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong trend toward practical AI implementations across diverse fields, with particular focus on healthcare applications (NLP for breast imaging, infectious disease monitoring) and engineering applications (3D-printed concrete, CFRP-confined structures). Her research increasingly incorporates explainable AI techniques like SHAP analysis and develops user-friendly interfaces for practical deployment of complex models.

• Knight Foundation Endowed Chair of Data Science and AI

As Innovation Officer at IDSC and Director of multiple research initiatives, Dr. Yesha oversees significant research programs connecting academic work with industry applications. Her leadership in NSF CARTA indicates involvement in major federally funded research projects. She has served as principal investigator or key collaborator on numerous interdisciplinary grants spanning computer science, engineering, and healthcare domains.

Dr. Yesha directs the IDSC AI + Machine Learning initiative and serves as Senior Liaison for Industry Interaction at IMSA, indicating leadership in research teams focused on data science applications. As Founding Director of NSF CARTA, she leads a consortium-level research effort connecting multiple institutions around data science and computing. Her work with IDIOMS demonstrates leadership in healthcare-focused research teams developing infectious disease monitoring systems.