Establish Colby as a nationally recognized center of excellence in interdisciplinary human-centered AI teaching and research.
Learn about our progress in our 2021-2022 Annual Report
Director, Davis Institute for Artificial Intelligence
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Student office hours: MWF 11:00 am – 12:00 pm; TTh 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Amanda Stent came to Colby in 2021 to fulfill the college’s vision of establishing Colby as a nationally recognized center of excellence in interdisciplinary human-centered AI teaching and research. Rich with experience from her time at Bloomberg, Yahoo, AT&T Labs, as well as her time at Stony Brook University as an associate professor of computer science, Amanda’s enthusiasm for AI and the idea of what AI can do for the faculty, staff and students at Colby, is a great asset to all.
Amanda holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Rochester. She is the co-inventor of over 30 patents and has authored or co-authored over 100 papers in the field of natural language processing.
Assistant Director, Davis Institute for Artificial Intelligence
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Amy Poulin joins the Davis Institute for Artificial Intelligence as the Associate Director. With over 16 years of experience here at Colby in both academic and administrative areas, she has a deep understanding of how Colby works. When she isn’t at Colby working toward the mission of our institute, she enjoys spending time watching her children play sports and camping.
Amy has a B.S. of Biology from the University of Maine and has a love for the Sciences.
Postdoctoral Associate, Davis Institute for Artificial Intelligence
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Faculty office hours: TWTh 3:00 – 4:00 pm
Tahiya Chowdhury is the first Davis AI postdoctoral scholar. Her research uses time series modeling, computer vision and social media analytics to model dynamically changing physical environments. She is interested in energy-efficient and privacy-preserving deep learning. She will conduct research, consult with Colby faculty, staff and students on AI projects, and teach hands-on introductions to AI.
Faculty Fellow, Davis Institute for Artificial Intelligence
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Alejandra Ortiz is a geologist researching climate change impacts in small island nations. As a 2022-23 faculty fellow with the Institute, she will develop deep learning approaches to automate the classification and segmentation of atolls and to model climate impacts on atolls over time.
Faculty Fellow, Davis Institute for Artificial Intelligence
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Veronica Romero is a psychologist researching the dynamics that arise when people work together to complete tasks in varying situations. As a 2022-23 faculty fellow with the Institute, she will develop a deep learning approach to model the pattern of behaviors that differentiate those with autism spectrum disorder and those without during conversation.
Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Operations Engineer – Academic ITS
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Yamin Ghowrwal is a Data Scientist and a Machine Learning Engineer with a graduate diploma in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning from Purdue University. He also holds a BBA from Kardan University in Kabul, Afghanistan. He joined Colby in September 2022, where he aims to support the faculty and students with advanced research computing needs including AI and cloud computing. He has more than 15 years of experience in areas of administration and IT with various international organizations.
Fall Semester Developer
Max is a junior from New York, NY, double majoring in Computer Science and Studio Art with a Photography concentration. His interests are soccer, skiing, data science club and photography.
Spring Semester Developer
Meredith is a junior from Winchester, MA, double majoring in Computer Science and Mathematical Science. Her interests include drawing, running and playing pickle ball.
Communications
Elsa is a sophomore majoring in Psychology with an interest in social psychology and group dynamics. She has a passion for digital design and the community building aspect of her position as communications lead.
Cloud Developer
David is a freshman from Bucharest, Romania, majoring in Computer Science and Mathematics. His interests include startups, design, and Formula 1.
The Davis Institute for AI Internal Advisory Committee is composed of faculty, staff and students from across the College.
2022-2023 Members: Jim Behuniak (Humanities), Stacy Doore (Computer Science), Aaron Hanlon (Science and Technology Studies & Interdisciplinary Studies), Kara Kugelmeyer (Libraries), Derek Huffman (Social Sciences), Andrea Tilden (Natural Sciences), Dan Siff (ITS), Carolyn Anderson (DavisConnects), Izzy Hurley ’23 (Student Member), Katie Bernard ’25 (Student Member), Kalyan Khatiwada ’26 (Student Member), Peggy Jones ’26 (Student Member)
The Davis Institute for AI External Advisory Committee is composed of Colby alumni and corporate / government / NGO partners.
Profiled External Advisory Board Member: Kristofer Hamel, World Data Lab.
Key Performance Indicators In 2021-22:
Made possible by the Davis Family.
Exploring how artificial intelligence and machine learning can process large volumes of information and identify patterns to analyze market behavior and interactions among consumers, firms, and governments.
Examining the human condition through artificial intelligence by gathering and analyzing data to understand human thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors.
Strengthening our research and preparing students to use big data to benefit fields ranging from ecology to medicine.
Providing enhanced computational resources, training, and collaborators to support Colby’s ability to keep pace with the rapidly changing tools and techniques for studying the environment.
Filling the need for future leaders of this field to have an appreciation of history, culture, and societies, and the ability to think critically about a range of issues.
Faculty across disciplines—philosophers, ethicists, sociologists, and more—will explore the ethical implications of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Made possible by the tremendous generosity of the Davis family and trustee of its charitable foundation Andrew Davis ’85, LL.D. ’15, the Davis Institute for Artificial Intelligence will provide new pathways for talented students and faculty to research, create, and apply AI and machine learning (ML) across disciplines while setting a precedent for how liberal arts colleges can shape the future of AI.
For decades the Davis family, through The Shelby Cullom Davis Charitable Fund, has contributed generously to the evolution of the academic and cocurricular experience at Colby, and the Davis Institute builds on this tradition of leadership. With Andrew Davis’s support, his family provided a $25-million gift in 2017 to create DavisConnects, Colby’s innovative model for post-graduate success, as well as a $10-million lead gift in 2013 to construct the Davis Science Center on Colby’s campus. In 2000 the Davis family selected Colby as one of five partner institutions to pilot the Davis United World College Scholars Program (UWC), which funded UWC graduates’ attendance at Colby and continues to make a profound impact at the College.
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Davis Institute for Artificial Intelligence
at Colby College
4614 Mayflower Hill
P: 207-859-6200
[email protected]
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