Dr. Tahir Ekin

by Valerie Figueroa

In the busy halls of McCoy College, where theory and practice intersect, Dr. Tahir Ekin is a visionary in the realm of analytics and decision sciences. As a professor of analytics and information systems at Texas State University, his academic journey from Bilkent University in Turkey to George Washington University in Washington D.C., and finally to Texas State, has been marked by a tenacious pursuit of knowledge and a passion for preparing students with data-driven insights to solve real-world challenges.

Dr. Ekin earned a bachelor of science in industrial engineering from Bilkent University and a Ph.D. in decision sciences from George Washington University. In his 12 years at Texas State, Dr. Ekin has amassed a vast array of accolades throughout his career. From prestigious endowed professorships to awards recognizing his scholarly contributions, including the Texas State University Presidential Distinction Award, his commitment to excellence is evident in every facet of his work. He also serves as the Jerry D. and Linda Gregg Fields Chair in Business Analytics which is funded by the McCoy College Foundation.

As the director of the Texas State Center for Analytics and Data Science, Dr. Ekin leads initiatives aimed at fostering collaboration and innovation between students, faculty and domain experts across various industries in the realm of data science. The center, which was officially established in September 2023, aims to be the university's one-stop hub for all data-related activities.

“One of the challenges we have in this space is that pretty much every department in the university has a set of faculty and students that are interested in utilizing data for understanding what is going on in their domain for making better decisions, but they are not connected that well,” says Dr. Ekin.

By bridging the gap between academia and industry, the center better serves the student population and can be a catalyst for transformative change, harnessing the power of analytics to tackle complex societal challenges.

According to Dr. Ekin, there is widespread acknowledgment among both academic and industry circles regarding the imperative need for fundamental data literacy and the continual innovation of methodologies tailored to address domain-specific challenges. Across the nation, the integration of data analytics courses into core curricula has become a prevalent practice, ensuring that students from all walks of life have access to these invaluable tools. At Texas State University, initiatives like the introduction to data analytics and upcoming introduction to business analytics courses are designed not only to impart technical skills but also to explore the ethical and societal dimensions of data usage.

“At Texas State’s McCoy College of Business and in the Department of Information Systems and Analytics, that is what we are trying to be aware of in our minds, all our students need exposure to that critical thinking and data literacy and now we are using the terminology of AI literacy a little bit more,” he says.

As a member of the National Science Foundation Project at Texas State, Dr. Ekin is deeply involved in efforts to enhance the university's artificial intelligence capabilities. This project encompasses four main components, each aimed at expanding AI capacity and fostering expertise within the university community. The first facet of the project focuses on outreach, where AI experts are brought in to support the diverse student population. Recognizing the significant representation of first-generation and underrepresented students, this initiative aims to provide valuable resources and guidance to ensure inclusivity and accessibility in AI education. In addition to outreach, the project includes research dedicated to exploring AI applications across various subject domains. Dr. Ekin says he and his colleagues are delving into the potential of AI in fields such as criminal justice, agriculture, and healthcare, seeking innovative solutions to complex challenges. Furthermore, the project prioritizes capacity building for both faculty and graduate students.

By offering specialized programs such as the Applied AI Summer School and the High-Performance Computing Summer School, participants from different backgrounds and expertise levels have the opportunity to enhance their skills and knowledge in AI technologies. This project also aims at enhancing the undergraduate curriculum at Texas State University by developing educational modules covering introductory, medium-level, and subject-specific artificial intelligence topics. These resources aim to equip students with essential AI knowledge and skills for navigating today's data-driven landscape. Through these comprehensive efforts, Dr. Ekin is working to establish a strong foundation for AI education and research at Texas State University, empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds to excel in this rapidly evolving field.

Through these initiatives, students engage with the nuances of AI driven technology and data storytelling, cultivating a holistic understanding of their implications in the realm of data analytics. Dr. Ekin highlights his efforts to secure external funding through grants with discussions underway with potential industry partners. These collaborations offer promising avenues for graduate students to immerse themselves in hands-on projects under faculty guidance, fostering valuable learning opportunities and further enriching their academic experience.

“Overall, we want to ensure that our existing students are well equipped to handle technological and industry changes and are well equipped to become part of the industrial workforce and then connect them to more industry opportunities,” he says.

At the heart of Dr. Ekin's innovative initiatives is a profound dedication to research that transcends disciplinary boundaries. With research interests spanning stochastic modeling, Bayesian statistics, and healthcare fraud assessment, his work embodies the interdisciplinary ethos of modern academia. His pioneering efforts in utilizing analytics for healthcare fraud detection have garnered widespread acclaim, shedding light on inefficiencies within the healthcare system and offering innovative solutions to mitigate financial losses.

In addition to his work in healthcare, Dr. Ekin's research endeavors also extend to developing novel decision models under uncertainty. Addressing decision-making processes affected by incomplete information and external factors, Dr. Ekin seeks to devise theoretical models capable of tackling complex problems efficiently.

Currently, Dr. Ekin is engaged in a U.S. Air Force grant project focused on adversarial decision-making. This involves exploring scenarios where decision-makers contend with adversaries attempting to manipulate data input into machine learning algorithms. By understanding potential threats and incorporating defensive measures, he aims to bolster the resilience and effectiveness of these algorithms in real-world applications.

Beyond academia, Dr. Ekin's impact reaches across industry and government sectors. In November 2023, Dr. Ekin was summoned to testify before Congress, appearing at a U.S. Senate hearing centered on scams and the role of artificial intelligence in their creation, detection, and prevention. Sharing his expertise with senators in Washington, D.C., Dr. Ekin elaborated on the potential of AI in tailoring anti-scam measures, garnering significant attention and interest.

Through workshops, presentations, and publications, Dr. Ekin empowers students and colleagues to navigate the complexities of data science with confidence and clarity. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining curiosity in the dynamic field of data science. Recognizing the vast opportunities it offers, Dr. Ekin notes the need for continuous learning and staying updated with evolving trends. He advises students to explore their preferences and depth of engagement in the field, urging them to pursue further training to enhance their skills and knowledge in response to the ever-changing nature of the discipline. ✯