Fulton Schools awards first data science doctoral degree
The School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence, part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University, will award its first doctoral degree in data science to Jiajing Huang at the Fall 2024 Fulton Schools Graduate Convocation ceremony. Courtesy photo
Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable fall 2024 graduates.
This is a world where nearly every communication, transaction and interaction leaves a digital trace, where satellites whiz overhead and sea vehicles cruise the ocean floor gathering insights about what they find, and where U.S. medical professionals order 14 billion lab tests annually. The deluge flows in faster than data can be processed and analyzed.
The problem of what to do with all that information and how it can be used to help people make better decisions belongs to the data scientist. The specialty field of computer science is in high demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an annual job growth rate of 36% from 2023 to 2033 — far outpacing the 4% national average.
To meet the need for highly qualified data scientists, the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence, part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University, launched its doctoral degree in data science, analytics and engineering in 2021. The degree, offered in collaboration with ASU's School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, seeks to prepare the most advanced students to solve major societal challenges and offers an additional option beyond the existing master’s program.
Jiajing Huang is the program’s first graduate. He will receive his doctoral degree at the 2024 Fall Fulton Schools Graduate Convocation ceremony on Dec. 19.
“Data science is an interdisciplinary field of study,” Huang says. “It’s the intersection of mathematics, statistics and computer science where we are creating artificial intelligence tools that can be used in many sectors, not just in engineering but in health care, applied sciences and industrial settings.”
Huang studies how to use data to support good decision-making practices. His doctoral dissertation explored ways to create data-driven building management systems that can automatically detect problems with a building’s heat, ventilation or air conditioning and recommend needed actions or repairs.
During his program of study, Huang also worked diligently to hone his research capabilities. He worked on projects funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy. He won multiple awards for his research papers and was named a finalist for the Best Student Paper Award at the 2024 IEEE 20th International Conference on Automation Science and Engineering held in Bari, Italy, in September. Huang also received several travel and fellowship awards.
As part of the doctoral degree program, Huang studied under the supervision of Teresa Wu, an ASU President’s Professor and professor of industrial engineering in the Fulton Schools. Wu is a noted trailblazer in medical technology powered by artificial intelligence and serves as the founding co-director of the ASU-Mayo Center for Innovative Imaging. Huang credits her mentorship for his success.
“Even when things got difficult, Dr. Wu encouraged me to stick with it and gave me such helpful support,” Huang says. “She always treats her students like professionals.”
After graduation, Huang will join Kennesaw State University as a tenure-track assistant professor of data science and analytics, where he will pass on what he has learned and train the next generation of data scientists. He hopes to be a part of research efforts in mobile health care and inspire the personal growth of his students.
Wu says that her former student is sure to make a positive impact in his career.
“Jiajing is a passionate, engaged researcher who has worked hard to complete this new program,” she said. “His future students will find an educator dedicated to their success.”
Huang says he’s proud to be the first data science, analytics and engineering doctoral graduate from the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence and encourages others to consider the program.
“Computer science can have a very technical focus,” he says. “Because data science is so interdisciplinary, it provides the opportunity to work with and help many kinds of people. If you want to balance your technical and soft skills, this program is for you.”
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