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To help accelerate collaboration across some of the University's fastest-growing fields, �������� has named Khan Iftekharuddin, Ph.D., inaugural dean of the Interdisciplinary Schools. 

“Dr. Iftekharuddin has played an important role in advancing innovation and collaboration at ��������,” said Brian Payne, Ph.D., provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “His leadership and expertise will help strengthen the Interdisciplinary Schools as they continue expanding their impact in research, education and community partnerships." 

Dr. Iftekharuddin, Eminent Scholar and Batten Endowed Chair in machine learning in the Batten College of Engineering and Technology’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, joined the University in 2013 as the department chair. He serves as the inaugural director of the Data Science Institute and the director of the Vision Lab and the Joint Institute on Advanced Computing for Environmental Studies. Previously, he was the interim and associate dean for Research and Graduate Students/Innovation in the Batten College of Engineering and Technology.   

Dr. Iftekharuddin brings a distinguished record of research, innovation and academic leadership to the role. A recipient of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia's Outstanding Faculty Award in 2023, he has earned national and international recognition for his contributions to data science, machine learning and interdisciplinary research. Ranked among the world's top 2% of researchers for both career-long and annual impact, he has secured more than $26 million in external funding, led collaborative research initiatives across institutions and disciplines and authored more than 250 peer-reviewed publications and 11 book chapters. A co-inventor on five U.S. patents, Dr. Iftekharuddin is also an elected fellow of t the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers and Optica, the leading professional society for optics and photonics. 

Each of these roles, he said, has helped prepare him to step into a new role as dean of Interdisciplinary Schools, which includes the Schools of Cybersecurity, Data Science and Supply Chain, Logistics and Maritime Operations.  

The schools are positioned to work with colleges and programs across the University, bringing together students, faculty, staff and partners to develop solutions that address real-world challenges.   

“If you look at any challenge you’re facing, there’s no way a single discipline can solve it,” Dr. Iftekharuddin said. “You need to have people from different backgrounds, different expertise and different skillsets to come together to address these challenges. That’s the gap that a school like this can fill.”  

�������� President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. acknowledged Dr. Iftekharuddin’s proven record of success and praised his clear commitment and active role in the transformation of ��������. “Dr. Iftekharuddin is a true visionary and has embraced every opportunity to immerse himself in the impactful work occurring at the University. Dr. Iftekharuddin will provide that same level of dedication and leadership to both advancing and serving the Interdisciplinary Schools.” 

Dr. Iftekharuddin’s appointment comes after a national search for the University’s next dean for Interdisciplinary Schools. Erika Marsillac, Ph.D., dean of the Strome College of Business and chair of the search committee, said Dr. Iftekharuddin’s experience and familiarity with the schools made him a strong choice for the role.  

“The search committee members were impressed by Dr. Iftekharuddin's understanding of the unique abilities and expertise housed in ��������’s Interdisciplinary Schools,” Dr. Marsillac said. “His aligned background and research strengths made him a natural selection as the inaugural dean. I look forward to working with Dr. Iftekharuddin as a member of the Academic Affairs' leadership team and know the University will benefit from his highly qualified leadership.”   

For nearly two years, Holly Handley, Ph.D., served as the interim dean, guiding the Interdisciplinary Schools through a period of growth and transformation.  

Now that Dr. Handley is stepping back into her research and teaching roles, she welcomed Dr. Iftekharuddin to the position.  

“It was pretty obvious he was a good fit for the position,” Dr. Handley said. “He already knows many of the faculty, many of whom he’s already worked with. I really feel that the schools are in a good place.”  

Learn more about the Interdisciplinary Schools and discover opportunities to prepare for careers in high-demand, future-focused fields.