Honavar named vice provost for artificial intelligence at Penn State

Penn State has made an important appointment of Vasant Honavar as the inaugural vice provost for artificial intelligence (AI) to steer the university’s AI strategy.
Honavar, an Indian American researcher with a solid academic and professional background, will start his role on June 1.
His current positions include the Dorothy Foehr Huck and J. Lloyd Huck Chair in Biomedical Data Sciences and Artificial Intelligence and a professor in the Department of Informatics and Intelligent Systems.
In his new role, Honavar will lead Penn State’s AI Transformation initiative and work collaboratively with various councils, groups and bodies.
He holds a vision of leveraging AI to advance research and education and deliver benefits to communities beyond.
Honavar has been at Penn State since 2013 and has been instrumental in expanding AI educational offerings, leading curricula developments, and directing strategic initiatives.
Before coming to Penn State, Honavar contributed significantly to computer science and bioinformatics at Iowa State University.
He was recognized for his contributions to leadership and research in data science and serves as a fellow in the American Association for Advancement of Science.