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The University of Wyoming School of Computing has selected recipients of its 2026 Data Science Faculty Fellow and data science curriculum development awards, recognizing faculty members whose work advances data science research, education and real-world impact across disciplines.

Funded through the Trent and Mary McDonald Data Science Center Excellence Fund, the awards support innovative projects that strengthen UW鈥檚 leadership in data science while preparing Wyoming students for an increasingly data-driven economy.

According to national workforce analyses, demand for data scientists, statisticians and data analysts continues to grow significantly faster than other occupations, as industries ranging from energy and agriculture to healthcare, transportation, business and public policy increasingly rely on data-informed decision-making. Through investments in data science education and research, UW is helping develop the talent and expertise to support Wyoming鈥檚 future workforce and economy.

The 2026 Data Science Faculty Fellow awards were presented to:

-- Irene Checa-Garcia, an associate professor of Spanish linguistics, whose project will expand the Koin茅 corpus, a unique collection of recordings documenting early childhood language acquisition. The enhanced, publicly accessible dataset will support researchers worldwide studying language development and communication.

-- Pei Li, an assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering and Construction Management, whose research will develop artificial intelligence (AI)-driven methods for analyzing real-time vehicle telematics data to detect crashes and hazardous roadway conditions. The work has particular relevance for Wyoming, where rural transportation corridors and challenging weather conditions create unique safety concerns.

The 2026 data science curriculum development awards were presented to:

-- Tyler Kjorstad, director of undergraduate studies and an assistant lecturer in the Department of Economics, who will redesign a gateway business course serving about 240 students annually to incorporate applied data science literacy, AI-assisted analytics and data-driven decision-making skills.

-- Kenneth McClure, an assistant professor of statistics, will modernize a cross-disciplinary survey research course by integrating project-based learning and emerging applications of artificial intelligence in data collection and analysis.

鈥淭hese projects demonstrate the remarkable breadth of data science applications across 蜜芽TV,鈥� says Shannon Albeke, acting director of the UW School of Computing鈥檚 Data Science Center. 鈥淔rom language development and transportation safety to business analytics and statistical research, data science is transforming how we understand and solve complex problems while creating new opportunities for Wyoming students.鈥�

The School of Computing says the generosity of UW alumni Trent and Mary McDonald continues to elevate data science education and research across campus. Their commitment reflects a shared belief that data science is one of the most important tools available for advancing discovery, innovation and informed decision-making. Through the McDonald Data Science Center Excellence Fund, UW faculty and students are developing the skills, technologies and insights that will help shape Wyoming鈥檚 future while contributing solutions to challenges of national and global significance.