The Institute for Software Integrated Systems (ISIS) at Vanderbilt celebrated its 25th anniversary on Sept. 7 in a daylong event that showcased the institute’s national and international impact on cyber-physical systems, security, education, model-integrated computing and distributed large-scale system integration.
The event was held in the Student Life Center ballroom and Vanderbilt community members were welcome to attend.
The day began with registration at 8:30 a.m. followed by welcoming remarks by Cybele Raver, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs; Krish Roy, Bruce and Bridgitt Evans Dean of the School of Engineering and University Distinguished Professor; and Sandeep Neema, ISIS Director.
“This Institute was founded on a forward-looking vision examining the integration of software systems into the physical environment,” said Neema, who serves as chair of ISIS’s five-person executive council. He is also a professor of computer science and professor of electrical and computer engineering. “We have since grown into a leading global research center with exciting new avenues of exploration ahead, including AI applications in transportation, design automation, and bioinformatics.”
The institute was formed on March 16, 1998, with a group of five researchers. The institute has grown to more than 150 people, generating research and technologies that have had real-world impact, a roster of influential researchers, and inspiration for thought leaders across multiple disciplines. Researchers and students work on joint projects with leading academic and industrial research institutions in the United States and around the world.
One of the highlights of the celebration was a series of short talks in the morning that showcased areas where ISIS researchers have made transformative impacts, and signature projects were presented in three areas: AI in Digital Engineering, AI in Digital Health, and Transportation & Mobility.
Afternoon sessions included reflections from founding members, alumni and partners, a look ahead at research landscapes presented by Padma Raghavan, vice provost for research and innovation and Distinguished Professor of Computer Science, and Sandeep Neema, ISIS Director; new faculty research highlights, and a panel discussion on generative AI and LLMs (large language models are the algorithmic basis for chatbots). The evening concluded with a reception and poster session.
Contact: brenda.ellis@vanderbilt.edu