Computer Science
Welcome to the Department of Computer Science
In the Department of Computer Science at Tulane we emphasize both core computer science and its applications to related areas in the sciences and engineering, the health and social sciences, and the humanities. Our goal is for our faculty and students to be recognized nationally and internationally for their interdisciplinary research, and we want to train the next generation of computer scientists who work at the interface of computer science and other disciplines.
Students who have completed our undergraduate coordinate major have found jobs in computer science and related areas, and several are pursuing PhD degrees at leading departments. Our students and alumni have won awards including best paper awards and Tulane's Peery Medal, as well as fellowships including Facebook and Google PhD Fellowships and a postdoctoral CI Fellowship from the Computing Research Association.
Our faculty conduct cutting edge research in a variety of disciplines including algorithms, artificial intelligence, computational biology, computer science education, computational geometry and topology, computer vision, data science and large data processing, domain theory and semantics of programming languages, game theory, image processing, machine learning, natural language processing, networking, cloud computing optimization, privacy and security, and scientific visualization. Our research is nationally and internationally recognized, and is funded from agencies such as NSF, NIH, DARPA, and DoD.
Our department continues to grow and we anticipate hiring several faculty members over the coming years. Please check our open positions page frequently for updates.
We welcome inquiries - please email me at lpeng3@tulane.edu with your questions and comments.
Lu Peng, Interim Chair
How bats tolerate viruses: Tulane study sheds light on one of nature’s biggest immune mysteries
Tulane researchers discovered bats possess two distinct antibody gene copies, unlike other mammals, potentially explaining their viral tolerance.
Welcoming Dr. Michelle Lacey as Chair of the Department of Mathematics
The Tulane University School of Science and Engineering (SSE) is celebrating a historic milestone with the appointment of Dr. Michelle Lacey as the new chair of the Department of Mathematics. A long-tenured and highly respected member of the Tulane faculty, Dr. Lacey steps into the role as both the first woman and the first statistician to chair the department, bringing a deeply collaborative, interdisciplinary, and democratic vision to mathematical sciences at Tulane.
Bridging the Lab and the Classroom: Tulane Researcher Secures $1M NSF CAREER Award for Organ-on-a-Chip Innovation
For many, the idea of holding a living, functional human blood vessel network in the palm of your hand sounds like science fiction. But at Tulane University’s School of Science and Engineering (SSE), it is a daily reality that is driving the next generation of biomedical discovery.
Helping Stem Cells Find Their Way Home
Inside Tulane's Regenerative Engineering and Education Laboratory, PhD student Eferoghene Okakuro is working to improve stem cell therapies for sickle cell disease while building a career that bridges engineering, medicine, and public understanding.
Department of Energy's Genesis Mission selects Tulane team using AI to discover next-generation superconductors
Tulane's research team is using AI to accelerate the discovery of next-generation superconductors, receiving DOE Genesis Mission funding.
Tulane School of Science and Engineering Announces New Leadership for Department of Chemistry
The Tulane University School of Science and Engineering has announced new leadership appointments for the Department of Chemistry, effective July 1, 2026. Dr. Bruce Gibb has been appointed as Chair of the Department of Chemistry, and Dr. Scott Grayson has been named Associate Chair.
Together, Gibb and Grayson bring complementary strengths, a shared vision for academic excellence, and a clear commitment to advancing research, education, and collegiality within the department.
Recycled glass and salt-loving bacteria are helping scientists bring back coastal cypress
Tulane researchers and Glass Half Full use recycled glass sand with river sediment, bacteria, and fungi to grow plants for Louisiana coast restoration.
Tulane spinout LumaWave awarded $1.5 million to improve fetal monitoring during labor
Tulane researchers received $1.5M from ARPA-H to develop fetal monitoring technology capable of directly measuring fetal tissue oxygen levels during pregnancy and labor.
A New Era of Leadership: SSE Welcomes a New Associate Dean and Seven Department Chairs
The Tulane University School of Science and Engineering (SSE) is entering an exciting new chapter of growth, community engagement, and academic innovation. In keeping with the school’s strategic vision, SSE welcomes a new Associate Dean and seven department chairs, a leadership team that will serve its students, faculty, staff, and alumni and advance its mission of rigorous, collaborative scholarship and global impact.
From a Flyer on a Board to the Marshes of Cocodrie: How One Tulanian Found Her Research Home
Malai Harrington found ecohydrology research via a flyer. She studies climate, water, and carbon in Dr. Molini's lab, including field work at LUMCON.
