Saman Sargolzaei
Associate professor
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Academic education
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Electrical Engineering, Florida International University (FIU), Miami, FL (May 2015).
- Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Higher Education Leadership, University of Tennessee at Martin (UTM), Martin, TN (May 2024).
- Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Miami (UM), Miami, FL (May 2012).
- Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Electrical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Tehran, Iran (May 2009).
- Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mazandaran University, Babol, Iran (May 2006).
Professional training
- Postdoctoral scholar, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA (Sep. 2016 – Aug. 2019).
- Postdoctoral scholar, Georgia Institute of Technology (GaTech), Atlanta, GA (May 2015 – Sep. 2015).
Biography
Dr. Sargolzaei is the Founder and Director of the Brain Autonomy and Resiliency (BAR) Lab, where he leads interdisciplinary research at the intersection of artificial intelligence, computational neuroscience, network science, and neuroengineering. His work focuses on developing human-centered, ethical, and trustworthy AI while advancing the understanding of complex adaptive systems and emerging neurotechnologies. His research spans machine learning, deep learning, brain network analysis, computational modeling, and AI-driven approaches for healthcare and intelligent systems.
His research career began through collaborations with Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and Baptist Hospital during his doctoral studies, where he investigated brain network biomarkers for neurological disorders, including epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease. He later expanded his work through NIH-supported research on functional brain networks and essential tremor at the University of Miami, followed by postdoctoral research at UCLA and Georgia Tech, collaborating with engineers, neuroscientists, and clinicians on translational neuroengineering and preclinical neuroscience.
At Belhaven University, Dr. Sargolzaei leads the Artificial Intelligence program, teaching courses in artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, AI ethics, and applied AI. He is committed to advancing AI education, mentoring students, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and integrating ethical principles and Christian faith into AI scholarship and practice.
Prior to joining Belhaven University, Dr. Sargolzaei served as Associate Professor of Engineering at the University of Tennessee at Martin and previously as Visiting Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Florida Polytechnic University.
His contributions to teaching and research have been recognized with several honors, including the University of Tennessee Alumni Association Outstanding Teacher Award (2026), the Cunningham Outstanding Teacher/Scholar Award (2025), and selection to the NSF CMMI Game Changer Academies for Advancing Research Innovation (2024).