Charles Nicholson to Serve as Director of Data Science and Analytics Institute

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The Gallogly College of Engineering is pleased to announce the appointment of Charles Nicholson as the new director of the Data Science and Analytics Institute. Nicholson, associate professor in the School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, brings a wealth of experience and expertise in systems engineering and data science to this leadership role.

Nicholson spent over a decade working in industry in the field of data science and analytics before joining academia. During this time, he led multiple efforts and various teams in designing a broad array of analytics solutions for multiple corporations across the nation and internationally.  He earned his Ph.D. in Operations Research from Southern Methodist University and joined OU in 2013.  His research focuses on optimization modeling and machine-learning to enhance communities (e.g., cities, towns) to withstand and recover from disruptive events such as natural hazards and public health threats. In addition to serving the School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, he was co-appointed in 2017 as a faculty affiliate in the Data Science and Analytics Institute..
 
The DSAI program, established in the Fall of 2014 at the Norman campus, is dedicated to the development of analytical models and methods to extract new knowledge from vast, complex data. Under Nicholson's leadership, the institute aims to continue providing students with the skills to design and build tools for data extraction, assimilation, and analysis, along with the systems understanding to predict and enhance future performance across all domains of the private and public sectors.
 
About DSAI
The OU Data Science and Analytics Institute offers a comprehensive range of programs, including a Graduate Certificate in Data Science and Analytics, a Master of Science in Data Science and Analytics, and a PhD in Data Science and Analytics. Students have the flexibility to take classes onsite at the Norman campus or online. Current OU students can further enhance their education by adding the Undergraduate Certificate, pursuing an Accelerated Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degree, opting for a dual degree, or completing the graduate certificate.

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