U of I’s Chris Nomura honored nationally for leadership advancing AI-driven research operations

MOSCOW, Idaho — A national higher education organization has recognized University of Idaho for pioneering the use of artificial intelligence to improve the way universities manage research. The recognition highlights U of I’s leadership in developing data-driven tools that make research operations faster, more efficient and more accessible to institutions of every size.

The Council on Research (COR) Advances in Research Enterprise Operations Award, presented by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), honors senior research officers who pursue novel, impactful approaches to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of university research operations. Chris Nomura, Vice President for Research and Economic Development, received the award for his leadership of U of I’s Office of Research and Economic Development and its Artificial Intelligence and Data Science Team, which has developed pioneering AI tools that are transforming research administration.

“Receiving this award is really about recognizing the incredible innovation happening across our research operations,” Nomura said. “Our team is showing how AI can remove barriers, save time and help people focus on higher-value work that moves discovery forward.”

Under Nomura’s direction, U of I has built a dedicated AI and data science unit that designs and deploys tools to automate tasks such as award setup, contract review and compliance reporting — processes that once took hours or days but now take minutes. The team, led by Luke Sheneman, Director of Research Computing, is part of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Sciences, directed by Barrie Robison.

The group’s innovations, including a suite of tools known as The Vandalizer, have dramatically reduced administrative backlogs and improved research support services university-wide.

Other recent AI initiatives at U of I include:

• Integrating AI across the university’s 2026-2030 strategic plan: Artificial intelligence is embedded in every institutional goal — from teaching and research to outreach and operations — ensuring U of I leads Idaho’s next decade of innovation.
• AI4RA (Artificial Intelligence for Research Administration): A $4.5 million National Science Foundation-funded collaboration with Southern Utah University to build open-source generative AI tools that reduce administrative burdens and strengthen research infrastructure nationwide.
• Partnership with Google: Through the new Google AI for Education Accelerator, U of I students gain no-cost access to advanced AI tools, training modules and Google Career Certificates that prepare them for the workforce.

“The University of Idaho’s strategic investment and foresight have positioned us at the forefront of AI innovation in higher education,” U of I President C. Scott Green said. “We’ve helped redefine what’s possible in research operation thanks to Chris Nomura’s leadership and our dedicated team.”

Nomura was formally recognized Nov. 10 during the APLU COR open business meeting at the association’s annual conference in Philadelphia.

Media contact

Danae Lenz 
External Communications Coordinator 
208-885-1605 
dlenz@uidaho.edu