Biographical Sketch of Eric Y. Tao
Dr. Eric Tao is a full professor of innovation and computer science at the California State University Monterey Bay since 1998*. He founded and directs the Institute for Innovation and Economic Development at the university since 2009. Sponsored by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, the Institute partners with numerous public and private organizations to research, create innovating business projects, and support both regional and international innovators and entrepreneurs in starting and growing their ventures.
Dr. Tao also founded and directed the School of Computing and Design between 2003 and 2015. Under his leadership, the School grows to have over 50 faculty, staff and researchers, receiving multimillion funding annually from public and private sources. SCD is considered one of the most innovative colleges and schools in the United States. SCD offers award-winning programs such as B.S. Computer Science, B.S. Communication Design, M.S. Instructional Science and Technology, M.S. Management and Information Technology and three certificate programs. The BS Computer Science program he founded and directs at California State University currently ranked #5 in the USA. Since 1998, Dr. Tao has taught and conducted research in Artificial Intelligence, innovation, e-learning at CSUMB. After joining the Monterey Bay campus in 1998 as an assistant professor, at a record breaking pace, he was promoted to Associate Professor and was selected as the Chair of the Department of Communication Science and Technology in 2000. He was awarded tenure in 2002, and promoted to full professor in 2005. He has published more than thirty academic papers in educational technology, medical image processing and higher education. He often speaks at international conferences on technology and education and for business and technology programs at various universities. Dr. Tao has a profound commitment to teaching and the development of scholars. He founded the Masters Program in Instructional Science and Technology and the Masters of Science Program in Management and Information Technology. He also developed several R&D facilities, including the Institute for Innovation and Economic Development, the E-Lab and CIMGames and has chaired the Academic Senate Technology Committee. He participates in the International Education Council and is the founding advisor for the Graduate Student Association at CSUMB. In addition, he has served as external advisor for doctoral students at the University of Maryland, Normal University of Taiwan and the University of South Australia. His current and past non-profit board services including substantive Change Committee of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), one of the six accreditation bodies sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Education, Coalition for Asian Justice, Monterey Bay Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Digital Technology advisor for the National Health Research Institute in Taiwan, Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, and University Corporation, CSUMB Foundation, the Joint Chinese University Alumina Association of Southern California and the CSUMB Strategic Planning Committee. Dr. Eric Tao, while taking a leave of absence from CSU between 2018-2022, served as the President of University of East West Medicine (uewm.edu) in Silicon Valley, California. Between 1987 and 1991, he worked for RMO Inc as Chief Software Engineer. Then, between 1992 and 1997, he co-founded and worked as CEO of WingTech Corporation, a firm that specialized in industrial and medical image-based inspection systems. An avid public speaker, Dr. Tao also served as the president of Toastmasters - Alhambra Chapter – at this time. In 1993, he was awarded the Phoenix Medal from Toastmasters International for excellence in leadership. Eric Tao received his Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of California, Irvine and was awarded the UC Regents Outstanding Graduate Students Award multiple times. His research in Digital Medical Database systems earned his research team a multimillion dollar grant from the National Institute of Heath. He received a M.S. in Computer and Information Science from the New Jersey Institute of Technology with a perfect GPA and received a Dean’s Distinguished Graduate Award. His bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering is from the National Sun Yat Sen University. While in college, he served as the president of student government and editor-in-chief of the university newspaper. He is awarded the outstanding alumni of the year in 2012 from NSYSU. Dr. Tao is fluent in Chinese and familiar with Chinese culture and business. He enjoys tennis, playing cello, snowboarding, road biking, classic music, movies and seafood. He resides in Carmel, California. Recent Notes worthy accomplishments: BIT Building - Dr. Tao leads an effort of fund-raising and design efforts to established the BIT - Business and Information Technology building at CSUMB campus. The 50-million-dollar academic center is the most ambitious and innovative building on campus. It houses the technology, design and management and business related degrees and research programs. The LEAD-certified building is designed to maximize collaboration and student-centered learning and provides entrepreneurship space for students, faculty and community. BIT building planning and fund raising started in 2004. The construction is completed in June 2015. StartupWeekend - Dr. Tao and his staff at Institute for Innovation and Economic Development brought the first StartupWeekend event to the Monterey Bay region in Jan, 2013. Over 100 entrepreneurs, high-tech developers, business professionals, investors and students gathered during a long weekend, started 15 new ventures and competed for the three awards: Best Startup Venture, Most Innovative Venture and Best Regional Venture. The event is supported by StartupWeekend.org, Google and Microsoft. iiED will offer the event every year in Jan. Online Learning - Dr. Tao directs the effort of planning, design and deliver the first set of fully online programs in California State University system, including B.S. Computer Science and two graduate programs. The two innovative, interdisciplinary master programs: Master of Science in Management and Information Technology (MSMIT), and Master of Science in Instructional Science and Technology (MIST) have not only educated numerous professionals and leaders in the industry, but also served as models for many other high-quality, learner-centered online degree programs. Entrepreneurial Asset Mapping - Dr. Tao lead a team of faculty and staff, was a major grant from US EDA, to develop methodology and establish regional assets database in support of entrepreneurs and innovators. The "Big-Data" project will provide invaluable insights into how a community can grow and support innovation and economic development. CSIT-in-3 - Dr. Tao and Computer Science Chair Dr. Narayanan, in collaboration with Hartnell College and supported by a 3-million dollar grant from Andy Matsui Foundation, offer the first-in-the-nation, all-expensed-paid 3-year B.S. Computer Science and Information Technology degree program to under-served students in Monterey county. The first cohort of students will start Summer 2013. Also in May 2013, National Science Foundation award my school a $1.1 million grant to at Cal State Monterey Bay to support our new three-year degree program in Computer Science and Information Technology, CSIT-in-3. *in early retirement program of California State University system |
Short Bio of Eric Y. TaoDr. Eric Tao is also a full professor of innovation and computer science at the California State University Monterey Bay since 1998*. He founded and directs the Institute for Innovation and Economic Development at the university since 2009. Dr. Tao also served as provost of International Technological University and interim president of Mount Sierra College between 2016 and 2018.
Dr. Tao has taught and conducted research in information technology, innovation, e-learning. He has published numerous academic papers in educational technology, medical image processing and higher education. He often speaks at international conferences on technology, innovation and education issues. He also serves as judges at many business plan competitions. The BS Computer Science program he founded and directs at California State University currently ranked #5 in the USA. California State University established "Dr. Tao's Innovation Award and Scholarship" to celebrate his achievements and contribution to the university. His current and past board services including Chairman of Phillips Graduate University, Substantive Change Committee of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), one of the six accreditation bodies sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Education, Digital Technology advisor for the National Health Research Institute of Taiwan, California Institute for Global Education (CalGE.org) and University Corporation. Between 1987 and 1992, he worked for RMO Inc as Chief Software Engineer. Between 1992 and 1997, he co-founded and worked as CEO of WingTech Corporation, a firm that specialized in industrial and medical image-based inspection systems. Eric Tao received his Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from the University of California, Irvine with full scholarship, M.S. in Computer and Information Science from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Bachelor's degree is in Electrical Engineering is from National Sun Yat Sen University where he awarded the outstanding alumni in 2012. |