The Cullen College of Engineering’s Yisha Xiang has been granted tenure as Associate Professor of Industrial & Systems Engineering and appointed as a Scott T. Poage Faculty Fellow, both effective September 1, 2025.
The Scott T. Poage Faculty Fellowship in the Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering “recognizes [Xiang’s] outstanding contributions to the success of [the] department,” according to ISE Professor and R. Larry and Gerlene (Gerri) R. Snider Endowed Chair Gino Lim.
“I was very happy and excited about the news,” said Xiang. “It feels wonderful to see my contributions and work being recognized, and I’m excited about the research opportunities that tenure provides. It allows me to focus more on what I truly like and to pursue bold research that can potentially generate lasting impacts.”
Xiang joined the University of Houston in fall 2022.
“UH and the city of Houston have provided a great platform for me to expand my research network and start new, exciting research initiatives,” she said. “I also deeply appreciate the tremendous support I have received from my department chair, Dr. Gino Lim, the Dean of College of Engineering, Dr. Pradeep Sharma, and my colleagues. The supportive and collegial environment I am in has greatly contributed to my professional growth.”
Her research focuses on data-driven decision-making under uncertainty, particularly reinforcement learning, with a variety of applications including manufacturing, infrastructure and energy systems.
“In practical terms, this appointment and tenure provide me with the stability and freedom to fully dedicate myself to advancing my research and mentoring students. It means I can take on high-risk, high-impact projects that I might be hesitating about in the past and continue to contribute meaningfully to my field and to the academic community,” she added.
In the short term, Xiang hopes to build on the momentum of her recent work by advancing ongoing projects and strengthening her collaborations with colleagues and students; Longer term, she hopes to pursue ambitious projects that address complex challenges in her field while also contributing to shaping the direction of the discipline through leadership and mentorship.
“I believe in bridging theory and practice—conducting work that not only advances knowledge but also contributes to solving pressing problems,” she said. “I value collaboration across disciplines and cultures, and one of the most enjoyable aspects of being a professor is the opportunity to teach. My teaching philosophy centers on fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills and providing the best possible environment for students to learn; I love sharing with students my passion and curiosity for learning, innovating, and engineering solutions to real-world problems.”