Tian Zheng

Sen. Tian Zheng is Professor of Statistics in Faculty of Arts and Sciences, where she has served since 2002 and as Department Chair from 2019 to 2025. Her research focuses on developing statistical and data science methods for understanding complex, high-dimensional data, with applications ranging from social networks and public health to climate science and artificial intelligence. Her work has consistently bridged disciplines and connected research, education, and public impact. Zheng held leadership roles in interdisciplinary centers and institutes, including the Data Science Institute and the NSF-funded Center for Learning the Earth with Artificial Intelligence and Physics (LEAP). She has also been actively engaged in university governance through service on A&S and University committees related to budget, educational innovation, research computing, curricular policy, and etc. Zheng is committed to advancing data science and AI in ways that are rigorous, inclusive, and socially responsible and have been contributing to initiatives such as aiX Faculty Fellowship at Columbia, the University Seminar on AI For Social Good and Society, and a number of external initiatives. Zheng's teaching spans undergraduate to doctoral education. She has worked extensively to support data science education efforts across disciplines through the Collaboratory Program and DSI Data Science Education working group.