Yeshiva University has appointed Fred L. Fontaine as Director to develop a new Electrical and Computer Engineering pathway. Dr. Fontaine comes to Yeshiva University from Cooper Union at which he was the chair of their Electrical Engineering Department. 

“This is a significant moment for our university,” said Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President of Yeshiva University. “In the past eight years, YU has announced great advances in science and hiring Dr. Fontaine to chart our course in engineering opens new opportunities in advanced technology for our students.” 

In this new pathway, undergraduate students majoring in mathematics or physics will take electives in engineering design, computing systems, electronics, signal processing, machine learning and wireless communications. They will also participate in hands-on laboratory experiences and advanced simulations in areas including cyberphysical systems, advanced digital communications, robotics and chip design—providing practical exposure to complex environments. The combined classroom, lab, and practical experience will prepare them for graduate-level work and emerging high-growth, high-wage jobs. 

Students who complete the pathway will receive guaranteed admission into current and newly approved programs in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the Katz College. At least 10 students will receive a $25,000 undergraduate scholarship for three years. 

A central component of this effort is the strengthening of ties between Yeshiva University and Israel’s technology ecosystem. Plans include an option for students to participate in summer internships at leading Israeli R&D firms as well as collaborative research that draws on the country’s startup culture and innovation capacity. These opportunities will offer students immersive experiences while aligning with YU’s longstanding commitment to supporting Israel. 

“YU is committed to preparing students to thrive on the forefront of technology and to make good decisions grounded in values,” said Dr. Selma Botman, YU’s Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. “With the increasing interdisciplinarity of challenges facing our world, the pathway’s bridging of multiple STEM fields prepares our students to transform the world for the better.” 

Fontaine brings decades of academic and industry experience to this new role. His research interests span machine learning, statistical and multidimensional signal processing and adaptive algorithms, with applications in wireless communications, radar systems, medical imaging and quantitative finance. 

At Cooper Union, Fontaine taught more than two dozen undergraduate and graduate courses, advised over 60 master’s theses and chaired both the engineering admissions and curriculum committees in addition to leading the Department of Electrical Engineering. Earlier in his career he served as hardware curriculum manager and instructor at Bell Labs Technical Training and worked as a consulting research scientist on projects in wireless communications and radar. 

“I am very excited to join YU to develop opportunities for its students to engage with these vital fields, grounded in the unique values-based education for which YU is renowned,” said Dr. Fontaine. “There is tremendous potential for YU to lead in these areas, and to foster closer ties between the United States and Israel in developing advanced technologies.” 

Fontaine holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in electrical engineering from Cooper Union, a master’s degree in mathematics from the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences at New York University and a doctorate in electrical engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology. He is a member of Tau Beta Pi and Eta Kappa Nu and a Senior Member of IEEE. 

Classes will take place on YU’s Beren and Wilf Campuses.