Translational Data Analytics Becomes a University Institute

Innovation — May 5, 2017

Translational Data Analytics Becomes a University Institute

TDA Institute established at Ohio State

Ohio State Executive Vice President and Provost Bruce McPheron announced today the creation of the Translational Data Analytics Institute at the university. “The institute represents a long-term commitment by Ohio State to data science and analytics to solve real-world challenges,” he wrote. “Likewise, it supports our vision to establish Ohio as a global hub for development, application, and study of translational data analytics solutions.”

TDAI, the offspring of the TDA program that launched in 2014 as a cornerstone of the university’s Discovery Themes initiative, is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive community of innovators. Together, its 105 faculty affiliates from throughout the university, including 41 new hires, bring expertise and know-how unparalleled in scope across foundational data science disciplines and applied domains. Recent milestones include awarding seed grants to faculty; spearheading interdisciplinary research projects and grant proposals with private sector partners; and hosting and sponsoring events for students, faculty, and industry and community partners. This summer, TDAI will launch a faculty exchange program with Nagoya University in Japan, and co-host a National Science Foundation workshop on Translational Data Science with the University of Chicago.

In addition to research and scholarship, TDAI is advancing academic programming at Ohio State to ensure students are prepared for career opportunities in data science and analytics, one of the fastest growing job markets today in which the need for talent far exceeds supply. TDAI is creating a new professional science master’s degree in translational data analytics that will complement the university’s undergraduate data analytics major. For its work toward filling the workforce talent gap, TDAI was recognized in a new report published by the Business and Higher Education Forum and PwC, Investing in America’s data science talent: The case for action. Within scope of that commitment is a plan under development to increase the inclusion of underrepresented groups in data science and analytics education.

“TDAI will be a source of great value for our entire university and community, both the public and the private sectors, spurring science and scholarship and contributing to workforce development,” said McPheron.

In April 2018 TDAI will move to its new home in the renovated Pomerene Hall, where it will offer 21,000 square feet of research, teaching and innovation space for faculty, industry partners and the community to collaborate. The new facility will include hardware, software and data visualization labs; multiple types of work areas; and event space. It will open with a series of open house events next spring.

“I thank everyone who took part in creating the Translational Data Analytics Institute,” McPheron said. “It has been a community effort, from the faculty advisory board representing 10 colleges that helped launch TDA to the many faculty, staff, students, and external partners who contributed their time and insights to the institute proposal process. Please join me in congratulating Executive Dean David Manderscheid, TDAI’s interim executive director Raghu Machiraju, its managing director David Mongeau, and the rest of their team for making the institute a reality.”

Check out the Ohio State Alumni magazine story on TDAI (PDF)