Senior AI Fellows Program

Program Research Liaison

Dr. Brown is the initial contact for faculty and staff who want to put AI to work in their research. He helps colleagues think through what is possible, what is worth trying, and how to get from an idea to a working approach. He also serves as a mentor to the Junior AI Fellows, bringing research expertise to their projects as they learn to design and carry out AI-related work of their own.

Program Staff Liaison

Kristin is the initial point of contact for staff who want to bring AI into their day-to-day work. She helps colleagues across operational units think through where and how AI can genuinely help their workflows, and connects them with the most appropriate member of the Senior AI Fellows team when a question calls for deeper expertise. She also supports the University's broader efforts to build AI capability among staff across all three campuses.

Faculty Liaison

Dr. Ernst is the point of initial contact for faculty with questions about AI and teaching. He works alongside instructors across all three campuses as they work to identify how and where AI belongs in their courses. He also supports faculty pursuing the scholarship of teaching and learning, helping them question what AI is doing to student learning. Finally, Dr. Ernst serves as a mentor to the Junior AI Fellows as they navigate their pedagogical research, from first question to finished project.

Program Technical Liaison

Dr. Gardner serves as our point of contact when an AI question turns technical. He works with faculty and staff on how AI systems function, what they can and cannot do, and how to ensure those systems work for specific problems. He also mentors the Junior AI Fellows by bringing technical expertise to their projects as they build and test AI-related work of their own.

Program Funding Liaison

Dr. Vas serves as the first point of contact for faculty and staff seeking ways to fund their AI work. She helps colleagues understand and identify potential sponsors, both public and private. She also supports the Junior AI Fellows' efforts to transition their work into competitive funding proposals.