The ISU department of computer science and engineering has selected a new chairman.

Gianfranco Ciardo, professor and former vice chairman of the department of computer science and engineering at the University of California at Riverside, will become the new chairman.

“This position became available when the previous chair of about 12 years resigned” said Wolfgang Kliemann, professor of math and chairman of the search committee.

“As is common for positional department chairs, once in awhile you hire somebody new because it is a job that requires a lot of energy,” Kliemann said. ”And department chairs slowly but surely tend to burn off a bit.”

The search for a new chairperson was an extensive process. With the open position being highly publicized, more than 20 applications were received. Kliemann said it is normal to receive about two to six for a position such as this.

Kliemann said that among these candidates, Ciardo possessed many qualities and accomplishments that made him stand out.

“He really showed an amazing energy and interest in what we are doing and he showed that he would be willing and able to jump right in and to be a good leader for the department,” Kliemann said.

Ciardo started in computer science when he was in Italy. He received a Laurea degree in computer science from the University of Torino in Italy in 1982. 

After completing his degree, Ciardo worked for two years in a research center in Italy. Ciardo then received his doctorate in computer science from Duke University in 1989.

Ciardo also worked for an aerospace company research center in Virginia for four years.

He and his family moved out to California in 2003 to work at California at Riverside, where he has been working since.

While at Riverside, Ciardo was a professor. He also performed research, which included mathematical modeling languages and software verification.

Ciardo said he was not actively thinking about changing jobs when he learned of the open position at Iowa State. But upon discussing it with his wife, they decided to go ahead and apply.

Ciardo said they enjoyed the students that they had interacted with when they visited and loved the welcoming department.

“My first goal will be to relearn about the cultural diversity, the job and the department at Iowa State,” Ciardo said.

Ciardo said that he would like to increase the number of graduate students in the program and the amount of funding to go along with it. He also said he would also like to work with undergraduate students as well to help them.