Dr. Ali Imran has over 15 years of distinguished project management and research and development experience across industry and academia. His research interests and expertise encompass advancing AI for Optimizing Complex Dynamic Systems and transforming "sick care" into healthcare. Dr. Imran has successfully spearheaded numerous high-impact multinational projects, founded thriving startups to address critical global challenges, and secured over $7 million in highly competitive research grants and investor funding.
As the Founding Director of the AI4Networks Research Center at the University of Oklahoma (www.ai4networks.com), Dr. Imran leads an exceptional team exploring the frontiers of AI-powered automation. At the AI4Networks Research Center, he has also overseen the development of the first-of-its-kind testbed TurboRAN, designed to enable experimental research on AI-based zero-touch network automation.
Dr. Imran's research has led to the publication of more than 150 peer-reviewed research papers, numerous influential patents (both granted and pending), and groundbreaking work in AI-based zero-touch automation for mobile networks and AI-driven diagnostics using acoustic and non-intrusively measurable biomarker signals. His outstanding contributions have garnered international media attention from outlets such as Voice of America, IEEE Spectrum, Fox, and PTV Global.
A dedicated educator, Professor Imran has developed and taught comprehensive postgraduate courses, delivered tutorials at prominent international conferences, and served as a sought-after keynote speaker at various industry forums. His pragmatic approach to research addresses real-world challenges, leading to frequent invitations to consult for major industry players.
Dr. Imran's community service roles include serving on the IEEE Computer Society's Advisory Board for the Special Technical Community on Big Data, holding an Associate Fellowship at the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA) in the UK, presiding over the IEEE ComSoc Tulsa Chapter, and acting as a board member of ITERA and an Associate Editor of IEEE Access.
His team's exceptional research has earned numerous accolades, such as the Williams (endowed) Professorship in Telecommunications and Networking (2019), Presidential Professorship Award (2018), multiple Ph.D. Dissertation Excellence Awards, first prize in the IEEE International Competition for Best AI-based Green ICT Solution (2017), the OU VPR Award for Outstanding International Impact (2017), and the Best Paper Award at IEEE CAMAD (2013).
