NEWS
NORMAN, OKLA. – The University of Oklahoma has announced Shishir Shah, Ph.D., as director of the School of Computer Science in the Gallogly College of Engineering. Shah, who also serves as the university's first Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, brings extensive expertise in computer vision, machine learning and AI innovation to the role.
"Dr. Shah is a visionary leader in computer science and artificial intelligence, and we're excited to have him guide our School of Computer Science as it advances its mission of excellence in education and research," said John Klier, Ph.D., dean of the Gallogly College of Engineering.
Under Shah's directorship, both the School of Computer Science and OU's broader AI initiatives are poised to expand their impact in advancing cutting-edge research and preparing students for the evolving landscape of technology. His appointment comes at a defining moment for OU, as the university leans into AI as a key priority of the "Lead On, University: The Next Phase" Strategic Plan.
Prior to joining OU, Shah served as professor and chair of the Department of Computer Science at the University of Houston. While there, he founded and led UH's Quantitative Imaging Laboratory. His research is focused on computer vision and machine learning, with particular specialization in person re-identification, human motion and behavior analysis, and microscope image analysis. He earned a B.S. in mechanical engineering and his master’s and doctoral degrees in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.
About the University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. For more information about the university, visit www.ou.edu.
Tiny white coats, stuffed animal patients and big imaginations filled OU School of Community Medicine at OU–Tulsa recently as elementary aged children from across the Tulsa area stepped into the world of medicine during Doctor for a Day, a highly visual, hands on experience designed to spark curiosity about health care careers—and make the doctor’s office feel a little less intimidating.
Two pairs of University of Oklahoma students competed alongside challengers from more than 70 colleges and universities in the 2026 Lockheed Martin Ethics in Engineering Case Competition.
Recently published research from the University of Oklahoma and the University of Tulsa proposes a new model to explain why nightmares can persist over time in children and how therapy can be designed to break that cycle.
