from the deputy director
With another exciting academic year underway at the Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing, I’m proud to reflect on how far we’ve come—and more importantly, where we’re headed.
At IDSC, innovation isn’t just a buzzword, it’s a driving force. From our earliest education initiatives to our most advanced research labs, we are building a talent pipeline designed to nurture curiosity, develop skills, and retain bright minds right here in South Florida. That pipeline now begins in K–12 and continues through undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral training. It’s all part of our mission to make the University of Miami a national leader in data science, artificial intelligence, and interdisciplinary discovery.
We’re especially excited to welcome two outstanding new faculty members to the IDSC community. Dr. Marybeth Arcodia, a leading atmospheric scientist, brings a strong commitment to using data science to protect both lives and economic prosperity through improved climate resilience, and Dr. Wanli Xing—who will join the School of Education in January—is developing powerful AI tools to enhance STEM education. His work will empower educators across the University to harness classroom data in new ways that improve teaching and deepen student engagement.
This year also marks the fifth anniversary of the IDSC Grants Program, which continues to fuel some of the University’s most creative and impactful research. Our 2025 theme, “Using Data Science to Improve Access to Healthcare and Accelerate Service Delivery,” highlights the incredible potential of technology to improve lives, particularly in underserved communities. We’re proud to support innovative projects that are addressing the complex, systemic challenges in healthcare with smart, scalable solutions.
Looking ahead, we are deep in planning for IDSC Day in January, a celebration of the science being driven by our grants and fellows programs, from undergraduate innovation to graduate research. It’s a moment to recognize the transformative work happening across our campuses—work that is not only advancing machine learning and AI, but also forging new collaborations with real-world impact.
Speaking of collaboration, our Great Schools and Colleges Program is creating powerful new connections between IDSC and every corner of the University. This is a tremendous opportunity to integrate data science and computing into a wide range of disciplines, helping shape the University of Miami into a truly preeminent, data-enabled institution.
Together, we are harnessing new technologies not just for progress, but for safety, for security, and for good. I invite you to explore the stories in this issue and join us in building the next generation of discovery, inclusion, and impact.
Ben Kirtman, PhD
idsc deputy director
director, idsc earth systems science
william r. middelthon iii endowed chair in earth science
dean, rosenstiel school of marine, atmospheric, and earth science
