Utah Artificial Intelligence Organization Names USU Data Scientist to Inaugural AI Utah 100 List

Utah State University data scientist Kevin Moon is among the inaugural cohort of honorees named to AI Utah’s AI Utah 100. The honorees, comprised of Utah academics and professionals in a range of disciplines and industries, were recognized at a Jan. 24 reception in Lehi, Utah.

According to its website, AI Utah, a nonprofit, statewide collective of professionals, researchers and entrepreneurs in artificial intelligence, seeks to “explore, illuminate and nurture the vast potential of artificial intelligence within the state.”

AI Utah 100 honorees were nominated by peers and selected by an AI Utah panel in three categories: Futurist, Builder and Integrator. Moon, an associate professor in USU’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics, was designated a “futurist,” and cited for his research in AI and machine learning, focusing on cutting-edge methods for data analysis.

“My work spans neural networks, data visualization and manifold learning, with applications in diverse fields, including biology, medicine, finance, ecology, engineering and navigation,” says Moon, who joined USU’s faculty in 2018.

“We’re excited Kevin has received this recognition,” says Mathematics and Statistics Department Head John Stevens. “He has an active research program and is currently supervising nine doctoral students in varied disciplines.”

Moon has received a number of university accolades for his efforts, including Departmental Faculty Graduate Mentor of the Year and College of Science Faculty Graduate Mentor of the Year in 2022, and Departmental Faculty Researcher of the Year in 2023. He was a featured speaker at Science Unwrapped, the College of Science’s public outreach program, in 2021. Moon has also led efforts to create new degrees and programs in data science and artificial intelligence at USU.

“I’m humbled to receive this recognition from AI Utah,” he says. “The purpose of the organization and its recognition program is to increase the visibility of AI efforts across the state, to foster collaborations and to create learning opportunities for people at various levels in the discipline.”

Moon is among panelists participating in the USU Office of Research’s Feb. 22 Research Summit: Artificial Intelligence slated for 3-5 p.m. in Maverik Stadium’s Champions Club. The gathering, intended to foster interdisciplinary networks and research teams, will include discussion of AI resources and projects at Utah State.