Meet the Team

The Institute operates as an academic R&D unit, hiring engineers to strengthen our technical capacity—supporting faculty and student innovation and enabling projects with partners. Supporting our engineering capabilities are communications, finance and program management.

Staff

S. Jay Yang, Ph.D.

S. Jay Yang, Ph.D., Inaugural David & Cathleen Reisenauer Family Director

(509) 313-6478
yangj@gonzaga.edu
 

Jay brings expertise in AI, cybersecurity, and interdisciplinary innovation. Formerly Director of Research at RIT’s Global Cybersecurity Institute and Department Chair for Computer Science, he advances research and teaching at the intersection of technology and humanity.


Amy Hyde

Amy Hyde, Marketing & Administrative Specialist

(509) 313-5601
hyde@gonzaga.edu
 

Amy has led digital product and business transformation initiatives for global media companies including AOL, Time Warner and The New York Times. She develops go-to-market product and communication strategies for innovation centers and startups.


Christopher Lopes

Christopher Lopes, AI Engineer

(509) 313-5636
lopes@gonzaga.edu
 

Chris has vast expertise developing web solutions within Microsoft's ecosystem, particularly in the financial sector, where he translated complex systems into thoughtful and efficient digital products. He brings his passion for development along with a dedication to quality and care toward the thoughtful integration of AI into applications.


photo of chenel cheng

Chenel Cheng, AI Engineer

(509) 313-5637
chengc@gonzaga.edu

 

Chenel works towards designing embodied AI systems that build and evolve their own understanding of the world, and exploring how humans form beliefs and biases through digital media and misinformation. She builds experiences designed to make both machines and people more self-aware, guided by the idea that intelligence, artificial or human, must be understood responsibly.

Student Employees

Students work with the Institute for Informatics and Applied Technology in a variety of ways — some are student researchers supporting faculty on specific projects, some lead entire research projects independently, and others support communications, marketing and events.

If you’re a student interested in working with IIAT, follow us on LinkedIn to hear about new position postings or contact us at informatics@gonzaga.edu.
Azer Bitanga

Azer Bitanga, Research Assistant

 

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Tony Nguyen, Technical Research Assistant

 

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Zobe Murray, Technical Research Assistant

 

Isabel Tilles

Isabel Tilles, AI Research Intern

 

Partners

Avista logo

Avista Corp

Avista Corporation drives innovation and fosters vibrant communities through sustainable energy solutions.

Gates Foundation logo

The Gates Foundation

Supporting educator development that benefits all students.

National Science Foundation logo

National Science Foundation

The U.S. National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency that supports science and engineering in all 50 states and U.S. territories.