Two Stony Brook University faculty members have been named as AI Champions by the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Academic Alliance. Margaret Schedel, professor of music and chair of the Department of Journalism, and Samita Heslin, clinical assistant professor of emergency medicine, were selected to join a group of about 20 faculty from 13 universities on the East Coast focused on advancing artificial intelligence best practices.
Samita Heslin will also receive an award from the network for her efforts in applying responsible AI across clinical care, research, and interdisciplinary education. Her work aims to improve efficiency, reduce burnout, and enhance communication with patients. Heslin has led projects such as an AI-enabled ambient documentation initiative in the emergency department and is involved in developing AI triage and medication safety tools. She is also working on a new interdisciplinary course called Digital Health and AI to provide training in AI literacy and clinical applications.
Margaret Schedel has integrated artificial intelligence into her work in composition, research, and teaching for several years. Alongside colleagues from Stony Brook Libraries, the College of Arts and Sciences, and Farmingdale State College, she is developing a “Co-Intelligent Classrooms” project through a SUNY grant. This initiative helps instructors design activities that use AI to support critical thinking without replacing faculty expertise or student learning.
Amy Cook, vice provost for academic affairs at Stony Brook University, commented on the selection process: “We received over 50 applications — incredible ideas and projects from all areas — from the humanities, engineering, medicine and the arts. We know that there are champions and leaders all over campus, and this demonstrates the quality and breadth of the work being done by Stony Brook faculty and staff to think intentionally, ethically and creatively about the role generative AI will play in research, teaching and administrative work.”
Cook added: “The sub-committee members of the AI Teaching and Learning Advisory Group that reviewed the applications were impressed, and the decision was not easy. We are proud that Drs. Schedel and Heslin will be representing Stony Brook in the AI Champions Network and very excited that Dr. Heslin was one of five selected to receive an award.”
The CAA Academic Alliance’s new initiative brings together faculty using artificial intelligence to support student or institutional success. The network aims to facilitate idea sharing among its members so they can bring insights back to their institutions.
Both Schedel’s educational projects and Heslin’s clinical initiatives highlight ongoing efforts at Stony Brook University to responsibly integrate artificial intelligence into various fields.
Cook noted plans to continue fostering collaboration among faculty interested in further exploring applications for AI within student learning.
