Yves Atchadé and Emily Ryan Named Duan Family Faculty Fellows in CDS
Boston University’s Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences (CDS) is proud to announce Aguêmon Yves Atchadé and Emily Ryan as 2025 Duan Family Faculty Fellows, recognizing their leadership in applying computing and data science to global challenges in sustainability, energy, and statistical modeling.
Atchadé is a Professor of Mathematics & Statistics in the College of Arts & Sciences, with a joint appointment in CDS and an affiliation with the Rafik B. Hariri Institute for Computing and Computational Science & Engineering. His research advances the mathematical and statistical foundations that underpin data science, focusing on Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods, Bayesian inference, and statistical methods and theory with relevance in environmental sciences.
Ryan is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering in the College of Engineering and holds appointments in Kilachand Honors College and CDS. She serves as Associate Director of the Institute for Global Sustainability and leads the Computational Energy Laboratory (CEL), which integrates physics-based modeling with data- driven computation to design next-generation energy and materials systems.
“We are excited to welcome Emily and Yves as Duan Family Faculty Fellows,” said Azer Bestavros, Associate Provost for Computing & Data Sciences. “Their contributions to sustainability, energy systems, and statistical methods expand the breadth of CDS scholarship. They embody what this program is about—pushing the boundaries of data science while connecting their work to urgent global needs.”
Established in 2024 through a generous gift from the Duan Family, the Duan Family Faculty Fellows program honors distinguished scholars whose innovation, collaboration, and scholarship embody CDS’s interdisciplinary mission. The program was established to strengthen BU’s ability to recruit and retain faculty who exemplify innovation and impact across disciplines; it supports not only research but also the mentoring of students and the creation of interdisciplinary curricula that expand opportunities across BU’s schools and colleges. Their gift reflects a belief in the power of data science to transform every area of research and human endeavor—from the environment and health to ethics and public policy.
Professors Atchadé and Ryan join the program’s inaugural recipients Mark Crovella and Wesley J. Wildman, who were named Duan Family Faculty Fellows in 2024.
Yves Atchadé: Statistical innovation for data science
Atchadé’s work contributes both to the theory of modern statistical theory and to real-world applications such as climate modeling and large-scale environmental data analysis. His research strengthens scientists’ ability to forecast and interpret complex systems by developing new algorithms for efficient sampling and uncertainty quantification.
“I'm very excited to be part of CDS,” Atchadé said. “I hope to use this appointment to contribute to this mission by creating new learning contents for our students and developing new research collaborations and initiatives that advance CDS and BU leadership in data sciences. This is a tremendous honor.” He added that he is deeply grateful to the Duan Family for their generosity, to his colleagues in both CAS and CDS for their nomination and support, and to his students, postdocs, and collaborators who have inspired and contributed to his work along the way.
Barton Lipman, CAS Associate Dean of the Faculty for the Mathematical and Computational Sciences, said the recognition underscores Atchadé’s contributions. "I am very pleased to see this recognition of Yves' outstanding research. His work epitomizes the valuable links between rigorous statistical methods, 'big data,' and the solutions to important societal problems.”
Tasso Kaper, Chair of Mathematics & Statistics, praised Atchadé’s leadership and cross- disciplinary impact, noting his influence across both the department and the Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences.
“Along with all of our colleagues in Mathematics and Statistics, I am proud that Yves has been named as a Duan Family Faculty Fellow in Data Science,” Kaper said. “He has long worked on developing powerful methods for statistical learning and machine learning, well before it became fashionable. Yves is also a world-leading expert in Bayesian statistics and Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods, and his innovative approaches have had major impacts in fields ranging from environmental science and remote sensing to econometrics and network science.”
Emily Ryan: Engineering Sustainability through Computation
Ryan’s research uses computational methods and data science approaches to study advanced energy and sustainability technologies. She uses physics-based modeling to understand the complex chemical physical processes occurring in various systems such as next generation batteries, carbon capture, and water filtration. She integrates data science methods to help in scaling models across temporal and spatial scales, and for efficient exploration of design and parameter spaces.
With this appointment, Ryan sees an opportunity to broaden the impact of her work and pursue collaborations that bridge disciplines and address pressing global challenges. Her goal is to leverage both the visibility and support of the award to explore innovative energy and materials systems that push the boundaries of what’s possible through computation and experimentation.
“I am hoping to use this recognition to support new research in advanced systems, such as iron flow batteries that have potential for large-scale energy storage at low costs due to the abundance of iron, or new directions applying my computational methods to systems outside my areas of expertise—such as understanding bone growth for development of better paradigms for bone repair,” she said. “I’m excited to strengthen ties between CDS and Engineering and help develop collaborations that leverage our complementary strengths in AI, machine learning, and technology development—while continuing to educate the next generation of interdisciplinary thinkers.”
Professor Ryan’s joint appointment across the College of Engineering, Kilachand Honors College, and the Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences reflects the collaborative foundation on which CDS was built. Her work bridges disciplines to advance both research and education— connecting engineering innovation with data science expertise and inspiring students to think across boundaries.
Elise Morgan, Dean of the College of Engineering, called Ryan’s achievements “a model of convergence.”
“Professor Ryan’s achievements embody the spirit of convergence—bringing together diverse disciplines to solve problems that cannot be addressed otherwise. Her work demonstrates the ingenuity and sense of responsibility that define BU Engineering, and we are proud to see her scholarship recognized with this prestigious award,” she said.
Sean Andersson, Chair of Mechanical Engineering, added: “Emily’s career has been characterized by transformative research, collaboration, and an abiding commitment to teaching and mentoring—values that align perfectly with the mission of the Duan Family Faculty Fellows program.”
Investing in Interdisciplinary Impact
With Ryan and Atchadé joining Crovella and Wildman, the Duan Family Faculty Fellows program now showcases a wide range of CDS research—from the mathematical foundations of data science to its applications in engineering, sustainability, and the humanities. The program underscores CDS’s role as a connector across Boston University—linking the College of Arts & Sciences, the College of Engineering, the School of Theology, and the Hariri Institute through shared discovery.
Through the Duan Family’s generosity, CDS continues to foster an environment where interdisciplinary collaboration thrives and where computing and data science are applied to the world’s most pressing problems.
“Emily, Yves, Mark, and Wesley represent the very best of what CDS was created to do— harness data science to address global challenges while preparing the next generation of leaders,” Bestavros said. “Their work exemplifies the Duan Family’s vision, and we are proud to support their scholarship, teaching, and mentorship through these appointments.”