Dr. Chao-Hsien Chu, a professor in Penn State’s College of Information Sciences and Technology, “unexpectedly” passed away on Friday, January 15, according to the college.

Chu, 69, served as one of the college’s original faculty members when it first enrolled students back in 1999. He worked his way up to a full professor in 2007 and served as the director of the college’s Smart Sensing Lab. He later co-directed the school’s Center for Cyber Security, Information Privacy, and Trust.

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Chu’s research largely explored smart sensing, security, technology innovation, and “big data” analytics. Throughout his career, he sat on nine journal editorial review boards and published nearly 200 journal articles, according to the college.

According to Penn State, Chu’s family plans to hold a public memorial in the future when health guidelines allow.

“Please join us in remembering Dr. Chu and his contributions to our college, and keep his family and loved ones in your thoughts,” Penn State said in a statement. “He will be dearly missed.”

The university did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the circumstances surrounding Chu’s unexpected death.

Penn State’s College of IST encouraged students, faculty, and staff members to take advantage of support resources should they need any. Both Penn State’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and the university’s Employee Assistance Program are available.

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