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Meet the Innovation Fellows
The primary objective of the Faculty Innovation Fellows program is to establish and nurture innovation and entrepreneurial opportunities for students, faculty members, as well as community and industry partners.
This goal is accomplished through a two-fold approach:
- Each fellow takes the lead in initiating and driving their own innovation, startup, or entrepreneurial project.
- Additionally, they assume the role of innovation ambassadors within their respective college or University Library, motivating fellow faculty members to actively participate in the innovation process.
To ensure comprehensive representation, Fellows are carefully chosen to represent different colleges and/or the University Library. Their collective efforts are focused on translating research findings, discoveries, and entrepreneurial visions into tangible applications and processes that deliver meaningful benefits to society.
The Innovation Showcase
The Innovation Showcase will be on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, for Cohort 4! Learn more about the projects and view the schedule of events for the Innovation Showcase. This event will be held at the Innovation Hub (ELB 102) from 4 PM to 6 PM.
RSVP to the Innovation Showcase
Meet Cohort 4
Hamed Nademi - Associate Professor, Electrical Engineering
Innovation Project: Achieving Resilient Green Data Centers for AI Computing
Jon Spenard - Associate Professor, Anthropology
Innovation Project: CSUSM Digital Cultural Heritage Lab
Meet Cohort 5
Ghazal Foroutan - Assistant Professor, Graphic Design
Innovation Project: Playable Systems: Reimagining Games as Tools for Social Engagement
Dr. Zahra Gharibi - Assistant Professor, Business Analytics
Innovation Project: AI Ready Workforce and Curriculum Innovation Lab