Welcome to the Institute for AI & Computational Research (IACR) at the University of Rhode Island — a collaboratively supported effort by central IT Services (ITS), the Vice President for Research’s Office, the Provost’s Office, and faculty contributions through research grants.
The Institute’s mission is to support, promote and grow high-level interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary computational research — artificial intelligence (AI), data science (Data), high-performance computing (HPC), and quantum computing (Quantum) — across URI campuses, in the region, and beyond. The computational work of over 150 faculty researchers is supported by this Institute. A quick snapshot of IACR resources is available here: IACR at-a-glance. For details on the broad topic of Generative AI, and the relevant university-wide efforts and guidelines, please visit the URI Provost’s AI page.
The IACR has an internal advisory group of key URI faculty members: Drs. Chris Kincaid (Oceanography); Ying Zhang (Life Sciences), Jason Dwyer (Associate Dean, College of A&S), Chris Hemme (INBRE Bioinformatics Core Coordinator, College of Pharmacy) and Drew Zhang (Alfred J. Verrecchia Endowed Chair in Artificial Intelligence and Business Analytics) and is led by Gaurav Khanna (Asst. Vice President for Research Computing). The Institute partners closely with the Massachusetts High-Performance Computing Center (MGHPCC). IACR was formerly known as the URI Center for Computational Research.
Email us at iacr-group@uri.edu with questions, comments, suggestions — anything!
News
IACR participates in URI Day at the State House! - The AI Lab represented the IACR on URI Day at the State House! It was a super fun day with lots of participation. Governor McKee and Lt. Governor Matos celebrated the day with us! https://www.uri.edu/news/2026/03/uri-to-turn-rhode-island-state-house-keaney-blue-thursday-in-celebration-of-universitys-successes-statewide-impact-during-annual-uri-day/
Faculty Spotlight: Russell Shomberg (GSO) - Russell Shomberg (GSO) interview
Genesis Mission proposal solicitations are out! - The Genesis mission has just posted FY26 solicitation information with some deadlines in a little over a month (!).
Rhody Today story on IACR’s state-level efforts - IACR visit to the State House.
Madhu successfully defends his PhD dissertation! - We're thrilled to report that the former long-time member of the AI Lab, Madhukara Kekulandara, has successfully passed his PhD dissertation defense!