Dr. Rebecca Willett

Biography

Rebecca Willett is the Faculty Director at the AI, Data Science Institute and holds the position of Worah Family Professor at the University of Chicago, where she is also part of the Department of Statistics and Computer Science. With a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Rice University obtained in 2005, she has a significant academic career. Prior to her current role, Willett served as an Associate Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and was recognized as a Harvey D. Spangler Faculty Scholar. She has received multiple awards throughout her career, including the National Science Foundation CAREER Award in 2007 and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research Young Investigator Program Award in 2010. Willett's research interests focus on network and imaging science applications, particularly in areas such as medical imaging, wireless sensor networks, astronomy, and social networks. Her professional qualifications are complemented by her commitment to fostering education and participation in STEM through programs like Females Excelling in Math, Engineering, and Science (FEMMES). Her visiting researcher experiences include prestigious institutions such as the Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics at UCLA, and she has held early positions at various organizations including GE Medical Systems.

Research Interests

Experience