CapstoneEngineerMagazineFall2026 - Flipbook - Page 6
Shelby Endowment Brings Three Leading Researchers
to Styslinger College of Engineering
by EMILY FISCHER
stablished through congressionally directed funding,
the Shelby Endowment for Distinguished Faculty embodies
the commitment of Senator Richard Shelby and his late wife,
Dr. Annette Shelby, to strengthening Alabama’s higher education
system. The permanent $100 million fund is designed to elevate
the University’s in昀氀uence in STEM 昀椀elds by attracting and retaining
top-tier faculty and providing comprehensive support for their
teaching, research and service. As a result, the endowment will play
a crucial role in enhancing the development and security of Alabama
and the nation. Shelby Distinguished Faculty are appointed for a
昀椀ve-year renewable term and are expected to demonstrate continued
productivity and excellence in scholarly and creative endeavors.
As part of the inaugural cohort of Shelby Distinguished Faculty,
the Styslinger College of Engineering proudly welcomed three
internationally recognized scholars whose excellence in teaching and
research is helping advance the College’s growing reputation as a
leader in engineering education and innovation.
E
Dr. Kalyanmoy Deb
Dr. Kalyanmoy Deb
Dr. Gabriel Katul
Dr. Alice Smith
6 | CAPSTONE ENGINEER | FALL 2026
Dr. Kalyanmoy Deb began his appointment as an Endowed Shelby
Distinguished Professor in the department of computer science in fall
2026. Deb is a globally recognized computer scientist whose research
focuses on multi-objective optimization, evolutionary algorithms,
machine learning, arti昀椀cial intelligence and engineering design
optimization. As an alumnus of UA, he looks forward to helping
advance the University’s mission and contributing to its continued
success.
“I plan to introduce new courses that prepare students for
emerging AI technologies while fostering a collaborative research
environment involving students and faculty across the University,”
Deb said. “In addition, I intend to expand interdisciplinary research
partnerships with industry, government agencies, NASA, defense
organizations, and collaborators in biomedical and healthcare
applications.”
Deb is the creator of NSGA-II, a breakthrough optimization
algorithm that has shaped both research and industry practice. The
algorithm is now widely used to help organizations balance competing
priorities and solve complex real-world challenges more ef昀椀ciently.
A major challenge of the integration of AI and machine learning
into society is adapting the technologies to sectors. Working
alongside UA students and faculty, Deb will advance research in AI
customization and make intelligent systems more reliable and broadly
applicable.
“By connecting students with cutting-edge research and real-world
applications, I hope to create opportunities that prepare them for
leadership in AI while strengthening UA’s impact on the state, the
nation and the global research community,” Deb said.
