Ali Siahkoohi, a Simons Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Computational Applied Mathematics and Operations Research, has been appointed to a tenure-track assistant professor position in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Central Florida (UCF), where he will contribute to the university’s AI initiative. With an academic background that bridges electrical engineering, geophysics and computer science, Siahkoohi’s work revolves around developing computational tools for real-world applications.
One of the programs that helped Siahkoohi prepare for his new faculty role was the Future Faculty Fellows (FFF) program at Rice University’s George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing, which is designed to help Ph.D. students and postdocs explore the tenure-track academic career path, compete successfully for tenure-track faculty positions and launch their careers. The program offers workshops, panel discussions, networking events and other support tailored to academic career pathways.
“The program was very well organized,” he said. “It forced me to start early on my application materials, and I received constructive feedback throughout the process.” He cited feedback from Tracy Volz and Kamisha Escoto, as well as a mock interview with Rice computer science professor Joe Warren, as particularly valuable.
During his doctoral studies and postdoctoral research, Siahkoohi developed algorithms to quantify uncertainty in complex systems, from underground reservoirs to MRI data. He designs computational tools that help AI models communicate not just predictions, but confidence levels. “AI systems often produce a single answer with great confidence even when they’re wrong,” he said. “I’m developing models that can instead provide a range of possible solutions, making them more transparent and trustworthy, especially in critical applications like seismic imaging and medical diagnostics, where decisions can cost millions or affect lives.”
At UCF, he plans to extend this work in collaboration with colleagues from different backgrounds. He said, “I was drawn to UCF because of its large-scale, interdisciplinary AI initiative. With AI, there’s no ‘one solution fits all’ approach. So I’ll be working to develop specialized approaches in collaboration with experts that need uncertainty quantification for their domain.”
Teaching is another key focus of his new role. With UCF’s high undergraduate enrollment, Siahkoohi sees a valuable opportunity to connect with students in big classes: “More students means a higher chance of finding the students that are interested in what I work on, a very niche area in computer science, and from that aspect, I'm very excited.”
Siahkoohi participated in the STEM MUSE mentorship program, where he was paired with a Rice graduate student. His approach to mentoring students is shaped by his own experience as an international graduate student. “There are many challenges students face that aren’t visible in the classroom,” he said.
As an assistant professor, Siahkoohi hopes to build the same type of supportive culture that defined his Ph.D. lab, where students were encouraged to work together in shared office spaces and informally troubleshoot problems with peers. “Being physically present in the lab helped us share ideas and avoid isolation. That sense of community is something I want to recreate.”
Outside the lab, Siahkoohi enjoys spending time with his two cats, Lou and Betty, who taught him the value of tenacity and rest, respectively. When asked about advice he has for others looking forward to an academic career, his words recalled his research on AI: “Take all confident statements with a grain of salt. There is a lot of uncertainty associated with this process [of applying for academic positions], and nothing is set in stone.”
As he settles into Orlando and prepares to build his research group, Siahkoohi remains committed to tackling meaningful problems through rigorous science and to building a lab culture where students feel both challenged and supported.
Are you interested in the Future Faculty Fellows program? Learn more here.