School of Computer Science faculty member Roni Rosenfeld has been named a University Professor, the highest distinction a faculty member can receive at Carnegie Mellon University. The designation honors individuals whose research, teaching and leadership transcend traditional academic boundaries.

Rosenfeld, former head of the Machine Learning Department, has long been a leader in speech and language technologies. His work has advanced speech recognition and natural language processing and their use in developing countries.  

Beyond speech and language, Rosenfeld is widely recognized for his pioneering work in computational epidemiology. He developed innovative models that use data to predict the spread of infectious diseases, including influenza, enabling public health officials to anticipate outbreaks and respond more effectively. By translating complex data into actionable insights, his work has helped bridge AI and real-world decision-making in times of public health need.

At CMU, Rosenfeld is also known for his mentorship and commitment to interdisciplinary innovation. His leadership continues to shape the future of AI, fostering collaboration and preparing the next generation to tackle complex global challenges.

Rosenfeld joins five colleagues in this year's group of newly appointed University Professors: Linda Argote, Jon Cagan, Rebecca Nugent, Richard Scheines and Kannan Srinivasan. For more on this year's awardees, read the story on the Carnegie Mellon News page.