About Me
My name is Ruixiang (Ryan) Tang, and I am a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Computer Science Department at Rutgers University, New Brunswick. Prior to joining Rutgers, I completed my Bachelor’s degree at Tsinghua University and my PhD at Rice University.
Interest in Computer Science
During my undergraduate studies, I conducted research on breast cancer detection using machine learning models. I was impressed by the potential of machine learning to address significant problems and create substantial social impact. While these models are powerful and achieve high accuracy, they also present challenges such as fairness, privacy, and robustness. This motivated me to explore and develop machine learning models from multiple perspectives, leading me to pursue a PhD in the field.
Research Focus
My research centers on Trustworthy AI, an area that emphasizes embedding trust throughout the AI lifecycle—from data acquisition and model development to deployment and user interaction. I specialize in safety, privacy, and explainability. I also collaborate with health informaticians from institutions such as Yale, UTHealth, and Baylor College of Medicine to address critical healthcare challenges. The emergence of Large Language Models introduces new complexities in AI trustworthiness. Our long-term goal is to develop computational regulatory frameworks for generative AI systems to prevent misuse and ensure responsible use.
Why Rutgers
I am excited to be at Rutgers, which is renowned for its strong computer science program. This offers opportunities to collaborate with brilliant students and esteemed faculty members, as well as engage in interdisciplinary research with departments such as the medical school. I look forward to contributing to and benefiting from this dynamic academic environment.
Anything else you would like to add
I participated in the Biology Olympiad during high school and studied life sciences for two years during my undergraduate studies before switching majors. This background has facilitated my collaboration with medical schools and healthcare institutions.