April 8, 2025

Hatef Dastour

Dr. Hatef Dastour joined the MU Institute for Data Science and Informatics as an Assistant Teaching Professor of Data Science and Analytics in April 2025. He specializes in geomatics, remote sensing, data fusion, geospatial analytics, big data analytics, and mathematical and statistical modeling. His research integrates advanced computational methods to address critical challenges in environmental processes, climate change, water resources, and natural hazard management. He holds dual Ph.D. degrees in Applied Mathematics and Geomatics Engineering, with a focus on computational methods and geospatial analysis for environmental sustainability, climate change adaptation, and water resource management. His interdisciplinary research applies machine learning,…

Jan. 30, 2025

Lincoln Sheets

Lincoln Sheets is a physician and medical researcher who works as an Assistant Professor of Health Informatics at the University of Missouri School of Medicine. Dr. Sheets has published, presented, and taught in the areas of geospatial information systems, global health disparities, and social determinants of non-communicable disease. His research focuses on combining evidence-based medicine with information technology and business strategy, to improve health outcomes in underserved rural and minority communities of the United States and around the world. Dr. Sheets gained 20 years of experience in software engineering before earning an MD and PhD in Public Health Informatics, and…

June 27, 2024

Hong An

Dr. Hong An is the Assistant Director of the Bioinformatics and Analytics Core, with an Adjunct Assistant Professor appointment at the Division of Plant Science and Technology.

Feb. 12, 2024

Baekkwan Park

Dr. Park is an Associate Professor in the Truman School of Government & Public Affairs and the Institute for Data Science and Informatics. He received his Ph.D. from Emory University. His research focuses on human rights, international relations, and research methods.

Oct. 24, 2023

Edward Mirielli

Dr. Edward Mirielli joined our program as Associate Teaching Professor of Data Science and Analytics in June 2021 and brings years of industry and academic experience to the DSA Program. Ed holds a Master’s Degree in Sociology with emphasis in epidemiology/demography and a Ph.D. in Rural Sociology emphasizing applied statistics and the application of computing to the research process; both degrees are from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He has engaged in demography & epidemiology of “big-data” during times when the health of the nation was of significant concern – both now, and in the past studying geographic patterns of mortality. …

Oct. 24, 2023

Ilker Ersoy

Dr. Ilker Ersoy is an Assistant Teaching Professor at the University of Missouri’s Institute for Data Science and Informatics, where he serves as a core faculty member in the Data Science and Analytics Master’s Program. He earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Missouri-Columbia and B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Control and Computer Engineering from Istanbul Technical University. Dr. Ersoy brings more than two decades of expertise in machine learning and computer vision with an emphasis on biomedical image analysis and aerial surveillance applications. His teaching focuses on graduate-level courses in data visualization and visual communication, applied…

Oct. 24, 2023

Jon Stemmle

JON STEMMLE is a professor of strategic communication and former director of the Health Communication Research Center at the Missouri School of Journalism. He also has an appointment as an affiliate faculty member in the School of Health Professions. In his role as a professor, Stemmle has taught a wide range of classes dealing with topics such as public relations, health and science communication, social media, event planning and integrated marketing campaigns. He is the co-director of MOJO Ad, a student-staffed, full-service agency that specializes in the 18- to 24-year old demographic. MOJO Ad’s clients include AT&T, Chevrolet, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Purina,…

Oct. 24, 2023

Earnest Perry

Dr. EARNEST L. PERRY is the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Research at the Missouri School of Journalism. He served as coordinator of the School’s doctoral teaching program for six years and as chair of journalism studies from 2005-2011 and again during the 2013-14 academic year. Dr. Perry currently serves as chair of the Publications Committee for the Association on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. He is a former president of American Journalism Historians Association, a former chair of the Standing Committee on Research and a member of the Standing Committee on Teaching  for AEJMC. Dr. Perry is the lead…

Oct. 24, 2023

David Herzog

DAVID HERZOG is a veteran investigative reporter, data journalist and educator with more than 30 years of experience. He enjoys discovering how journalists can use data analysis tools to uncover the news better. Herzog teaches data journalism to student and professional journalists. He speaks frequently about investigative reporting, data journalism and access to information. As the academic adviser to the National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting, he helps guide data services for Investigative Reporters and Editors. IRE is a global organization with more than 5,000 members based at the Journalism School. He helps direct the Dow Jones News Fund’s data journalism…