Assistant professor Robin Jia and assistant professor Ibrahim Sabek.
Two assistant professors from the USC School of Advanced Computing (SAC) have been selected as inaugural recipients of the Google ML and Systems Junior Faculty Awards, joining more than 50 faculty members across 27 U.S. universities to receive the prestigious recognition.
Robin Jia and Ibrahim Sabek, both from the Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science, will each receive $100,000 in unrestricted funding to support their research in machine learning and data-intensive systems. The awards were announced by Google as part of its commitment to supporting academic excellence and fostering breakthrough research at the intersection of artificial intelligence and systems engineering.
The recipients were selected by a distinguished panel of Google engineers and researchers who evaluated proposals focused on the analysis, design and implementation of efficient, scalable, secure and trustworthy computing systems. The research spans the entire technology stack, from algorithms to software and hardware, enabling machine learning and cloud computing at increasingly massive scale.
Jia specializes in natural language processing and machine learning, focusing on developing robust systems that can understand and generate human language. His work addresses fundamental challenges in making AI systems more reliable and trustworthy, particularly in how they process and respond to textual information.
Sabek leads the Next-generation Data-Intensive Systems Group (NEXDIG) at USC, where he concentrates on building advanced data management, processing and analysis systems using machine learning and quantum computing. His research involves deeply understanding fundamental techniques in machine learning, quantum computing and systems design to create more efficient and powerful data processing capabilities.
“This is a challenging time to be conducting critical academic research given uncertainties in the funding environment,” said a Google spokesperson in announcing the awards. “While Google’s funding is only a small part of the overall need, we hope that others across industry, government and philanthropy will find ways to support research and education to keep this crucial driver of our technology ecosystem vibrant.”
The Google ML and Systems Junior Faculty Awards represent a new initiative from the tech giant to support early-career faculty members whose work is essential to scientific breakthroughs that contribute to continued progress and prosperity. The program adds to Google’s existing academic support efforts, including fellowship programs, conference sponsorships, internships and research collaborations.
Sabek previously received recognition for his work through the Google Data Analytics and Insights Award in 2024, highlighting his continued contributions to advancing data systems research.
The unrestricted nature of the grants allows recipients to pursue their research directions without predetermined constraints, enabling them to explore innovative approaches and mentor the next generation of graduate students. Many of these students will eventually become faculty members themselves, start new companies or join established technology firms.
Google’s investment in academic research reflects the company’s origins as a project started by two graduate students conducting fundamental research in artificial intelligence and computer science. The company continues to recognize that university-based research is crucial for developing the technological advances that will shape the future.
SAC, a unit of the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, was launched in 2024. It serves as the primary engine for President Carol Folt’s $1 billion+ Frontiers of Computing, the largest, most comprehensive academic initiative in USC’s history — encompassing computing across USC. The awards underscore SAC’s growing reputation as a center for cutting-edge research in machine learning and computing systems, with faculty members making significant contributions to fields that are increasingly important for technological innovation and economic growth.
Published on July 17th, 2025
Last updated on July 17th, 2025
