Ali Jafari

Dr. Ali Jafari was recruited to IUPUI with the intention of using his expertise in technology to translate research ideas into web-based programs that enhance the education process for students on campus as well as become marketable technologies for the general public.

He and his team invented Oncourse, an online course management system now used across all eight Indiana University campuses. Dr. Jafari also created a commercial course management system called ANGEL. In July 2000, he worked with the IU Research & Technology Corporation to create a for-profit company called ANGEL Learning, Inc. to market and sell ANGEL in a global market. ANGEL is currently one of the top commercial course management systems in the area of learning collaboration, eLearning, and learning assessment. It is also one of the fastest growing IT companies in Indiana.

Dr. Jafari's latest venture, Epsilen Environment, is a professional online networking environment for educators and professionals designed to encourage communication and collaboration across common interest areas. Similar to popular social networking sites, but for a professional environment, Epsilen Environment enables people to connect in ways that promote business development, conversation, networking and solutions to everyday problems. The New York Times is an equity investor and strategic partner in the commercialized product.

Oncourse, ANGEL, and Epsilen Environment are excellent examples of how faculty at IUPUI TRANSLATING their RESEARCH INTO PRACTICE.