A Florida State University researcher is helping guide national research priorities in artificial intelligence, advanced computing and data systems in his new role as a program director within the Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure at the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Professor of Computer Science Weikuan Yu will serve as an NSF program director for at least one year starting in Fall 2026. In this role, he’ll collaborate with researchers and other program directors to help manage NSF programs and oversee federal research investments related to his expertise in AI, powerful computing systems, large-scale data management and computing infrastructure.

“It’s a great honor to represent FSU at the national level and contribute to federal investments in advanced cyberinfrastructure and national AI research resources,” Yu said. “This opportunity comes at an especially exciting time, as AI is rapidly reshaping science, technology and society. The role gives me an opportunity to step back and look more broadly at where our research community is heading, particularly how national computing, AI and data infrastructure can enable scientific discovery and serve the larger research community.”

A major focus of Yu’s research is improving the efficiency of AI systems. Most recently, he led the development of AURORA, a software framework that monitors AI while helping the system run faster, use memory more efficiently and consume less energy. AURORA was selected for FSU’s 2026 ReliaQuest Innovation Challenge Fund, which supports innovative proof-of-concept solutions in AI and cybersecurity through the FSU Office of Research.

“Computing has become fundamental to nearly every aspect of modern science and society, and AI is accelerating that transformation at an unprecedented pace,” Yu said. “Continued progress depends not only on better AI models, but also on sustained advances in the computing, data, software and networking infrastructure behind them. Ultimately, investing in this foundation is essential to sustaining scientific discovery, technological innovation and our nation’s leadership in an increasingly AI-driven world.”

Yu joined FSU’s Department of Computer Science in 2015 and has served as associate chair for research and held the Mainline Information Systems Endowed Professorship. He also led the Department of Computer Science as chair for three years. “Dr. Yu, who has a robust and broad research program of his own, is imminently well qualified to fulfill this role as a program director,” said College of Arts and Sciences Dean Sam Huckaba. “Serving as director will provide value in both directions. The NSF will benefit from Dr. Yu’s knowledge and experience, and he will return with a better understanding of emerging federal research priorities and how the NSF arrives at funding decisions, particularly for its current highest priorities. While the funding agencies have strict policies against a program officer having anything to do with decision making relating to their home institution, the overall experience of Weikuan’s service will be beneficial to FSU.”

This position was made possible through the Intergovernmental Personnel Act rotator program, which allows federal agencies to bring experienced researchers and professionals from universities or other organizations into federal service, facilitating the exchange of expertise among government agencies and participating institutions.

Yu will also have the opportunity to increase access to large-scale high-performance computing and national AI research resources through programs like the NSF-funded State and Regional AI Infrastructure Hubs, which provide computing resources and training for AI research and education. These efforts connect institutions with fewer resources, like small rural schools, with tools and technology needed to conduct AI research.

“It will be exciting to help advance programs that push the boundaries of national cyberinfrastructure, from high-performance computing and AI research resources to networking, data, and software systems, and broaden their impact across scientific disciplines,” Yu said. “I’m also eager to collaborate with other program directors on emerging opportunities in AI-enabled sciences and help develop the research community and workforce needed to build and use the next generation of national cyberinfrastructure.”

Visit the FSU Department of Computer Science website to learn more about Yu’s work and research in the department.