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Dr. Shadnaz Asgari is the Chair of the Computer Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) Department at ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ, where she also holds a joint appointment in the Biomedical Engineering Department. She earned her Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from UCLA in 2008, followed by postdoctoral research and a research faculty position in the UCLA Neurosurgery Department. She joined ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ in 2012, served as a Visiting Professor at the University of Cambridge in 2017, and was a Google Faculty in Residence in 2019.

Dr. Asgari’s research integrates artificial intelligence, signal processing, and computational modeling to solve problems in clinical and biomedical contexts. Her work has resulted in over 85 peer-reviewed publications and has been supported by $3.5 million in research and educational funding. Her current focus is on computational physiology and the use of AI for improving healthcare outcomes.

She is a 2025 recipient of both the CSU Biotech Andreoli Service Award and the CSU Biotech Faculty Research Award—becoming the first faculty in CSU Biotech’s history to receive both honors simultaneously. Dr. Asgari was also awarded the 2023 ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ President’s Outstanding Professor Award, the 2021 ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Distinguished Faculty Scholarly and Creative Achievement Award, the 2020 CSU Faculty Innovation and Leadership Award, the 2015 ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Early Academic Career Excellence Award and 2011UCLA BIRC Young Investigator Award.

As the founding faculty and first full-term Chair of the Biomedical Engineering Department (2018–2024), Dr. Asgari led its transformation into a thriving and inclusive academic unit. Under her leadership, the program tripled its undergraduate enrollment and quadrupled its full-time faculty. She guided the department toward ABET accreditation (achieved in Fall 2024), secured nearly $1 million in internal support, and significantly expanded student research, faculty development, and community engagement.

Dr. Asgari currently serves as an elected representative to the CSU Academic Senate and is a 2024–2026 ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ President’s Leadership Fellow. Her leadership is defined by a strong commitment to inclusive excellence, innovation in STEM education, and the advancement of student success.