Diego Alvarado

Instructional Assistant Professor
Department of Engineering Education

Diego Alvarado, an instructional assistant professor in the Department of Engineering Education at the University of Florida since 2019 and the first recipient of the AI Educator of the Year form UF’s AI Awards. He earned his M.Eng. and B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Texas A&M University. He is a member of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), actively contributing to the advancement of engineering education initiatives within the academic community.

His research interests primarily involve engineering education, focusing on video development to increase engagement and methods for teaching artificial intelligence and machine learning in higher education. Diego's research endeavors are funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), reflecting the recognition of his contributions to the field at the national level.

Diego Alvarado's recent teaching initiatives have been nothing short of groundbreaking. Diego teaches a range of courses including, Fundamentals of AI, Introduction to Programming and Engineering Design. Over the past eight semesters, he has engaged over 2,000 students from diverse backgrounds in the AI Fundamentals course, using innovative approaches and AutoAI tools to cater to students from all background and little programming knowledge. This effort has democratized access to AI education, establishing the course as the first required component for the AI Fundamentals and Applications certificate. Additionally, Diego's collaborative efforts have led to the development of innovative applications and AutoAI tools, enriching the teaching process of AI concepts within UF. His involvement with CogAbility to create a Digital Teaching Assistant for AI Fundamentals further demonstrates his commitment to advancing educational technology and accessibility.