Penn professor named Association for Computing Machinery Fellow for computer science research

A Penn professor was recently named a 2021 Fellow by the Association for Computing Machinery.  

Adani President's Distinguished Professor of Computer and Informational Science Zachary Ives was honored as one of 71 ACM fellows.

ACM Fellows are chosen for their exemplary work in the field of computing and information science. Candidates must have held Professional Membership in the global organization for at least 5 out of the past 10 years, and must be among the top 1% of members for "outstanding accomplishments in computing and information technology and/or outstanding service to ACM and the larger computing community," according to its website. 

ACM is dedicated to advancing computing, and its current mission goals focus on areas such as sustainable digital archives and improving public policy on computer science. 

Former Penn professor Roch Guerin was also named an ACM Fellow in 2007 for his contributions to the resource management of data networks.

Ives' research focuses on areas such as data integration and sharing, specifically in building data science platforms — and he also participates in the Warren Center for Network and Data Science, and the Center for Health, Devices, and Technology at Penn.

"With my students and collaborators, I work on technologies (algorithms and systems) that help data scientists assemble disparate data from different places, into one coherent picture so they can make discoveries," Ives said. 

Specific examples of these technologies, he added, include integrating data from wearable sensors and neuroscience data in order to construct better models of epilepsy. Ives has also helped to develop tools that facilitate flexible data sharing in various science fields. 

"Today, everyone is using machine learning techniques to build models of the world," he said. "We are trying to build new techniques for managing and updating these constructed models."

Ives added that the ACM Fellows program is an honor that he is proud to hold.

"I find it especially meaningful because it's a recognition of the impact of many wonderful collaborations I've had — with colleagues, and current and former students," Ives said.