Two Data Science Faculty Named UVA Research Communications Fellows
The University of Virginia's School of Data Science is pleased to announce that Sheng Li and Heman Shakeri have been named Research Communications Fellows for the upcoming semester.
The six-month program, run by UVA's Office of the Vice President for Research, provides media training to participating faculty, enhancing their ability to discuss their research in ways that will resonate with lay audiences.
Li, a Quantitative Foundation Associate Professor of Data Science, joined the School of Data Science in 2022. An artificial intelligence researcher, his interests range from visual intelligence to biomedical informatics. Recently, a research team he leads received a grant from the National Science Foundation to explore whether generative AI tools can be used to develop high-quality K-12 test items.
Shakeri, an assistant professor of data science who came to UVA in 2019, examines algorithm development in machine learning and network science, among several other research interests. He is part of a research team that received funding from the National Cancer Institute last year that aims to build a tool to help doctors and patients better understand kidney cancer treatments.
Each semester, the Office of the Vice President for Research selects approximately 20 UVA faculty members to participate in the fellowship program where, over the course of six months, they take part in on-camera interview practice, learn tips to pitch stories to journalists, receive social media training, and take part in a number of other activities aimed at promoting their research and expertise to a broader audience.
