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.
Zhenghong Tang, Ph.D., has been named chair of the Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability in the University of Oklahoma’s College of Geographic and Atmospheric Sciences. A leader in the field of planning, Tang will oversee the department and its mission of creating a community of interdisciplinary scholars and experts who aim to better understand the Earth’s human-natural systems.
From a world-staged opera premiere to Shakespeare’s final solo play, the University of Oklahoma’s 2026-27 University Theatre season will offer audiences nine productions spanning musical theater, opera, dance and drama.
A University of Oklahoma researcher has received a five-year, $2 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to investigate how pancreatic cancer uses cholesterol to survive chemotherapy.
