University of Houston launches data science center

HOUSTON, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- The University of Houston, Texas said on Thursday that it has launched a new Institute for Data Science.

The university said in a news release that Andrea Prosperetti, a member of the National Academy of Engineering and was recruited to the university in 2016, is the head of the institute.

"Houston is a natural location for a focus on data science, with its strengths in energy and health care and its substantial technology and software industries," said Prosperetti, who is named Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering and serves as director of the Center for Advanced Computing and Data Systems of the university.

Paula Myrick Short, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, said planning began about 18 months ago and intensified after Prosperetti was selected to lead the venture.

"The whole world is evolving around predictive analytics," Short said. "We have to respond to that. We have just skimmed the surface of what is possible for the economy, for education."

The Institute's initial work will span four areas of application: cyber and physical security, drug development and discovery, sustainable communities and infrastructure, and accessible and personalized healthcare.