Luke Black Finds the Perfect Intersection of Engineering, Data, and Purpose at UVA

Davene Wasser

January 28, 2026

Topics

Admissions

Artificial Intelligence

MSDS

Student Spotlight

Luke Black

Education: 
M.S. in Data Science, 2027, University of Virginia 
B.S. in Chemistry, 2000, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Hometown: 
Chapel Hill, N.C.

Guided by a passion for engineering and a commitment to innovation, Luke Black has long believed in the responsibility to evolve alongside technology. The University of Virginia’s M.S. in Data Science (MSDS) online program emerged as a clear pathway to advance both his knowledge and career. In this profile, Black discusses why he chose UVA, how he plans to use his MSDS degree, and why data science is so relevant across industries.

Q: Tell us about your path to data science.

I have had the good fortune to work within the pharmaceutical industry for 25 years, specializing in quality assurance and quality systems. Within my roles, I have witnessed an ever-increasing focus on new global tech's value in support of consolidation, harmonization, and digital transformation. I feel strongly about the value in data that supports medicine development.

Each person has a responsibility to be up-to-date on new technology, the greatest of which in recent days being the artificial intelligence and machine learning arena within data science. These advancements offer businesses the greatest potential gain and savings to transform and succeed in the years ahead.

My interest has always been in higher education. The data science program makes for a terrific marriage of personal interest in enrichment with that of career benefit. I was thrilled to see that this program existed, and even more so because it was at UVA — a place of family legacy and personal history. I first visited UVA as a freshman undergrad and loved grounds and its beautiful history and architecture from the very beginning. I met my wife that same year, whose parents were both from Charlottesville. UVA was never far from discussion ever since.

Q: What do you hope to do with a master’s in data science?

My goal is to use this education toward initial deployment and ongoing maturation of cloud applications in medicine development including, but not limited to: maximizing use of automation, continuous management monitoring, reduction of duplication and human error through clean-data mapping, and incorporation of artificial intelligence/machine learning for employees (e.g., giving a starting draft of suggested wording that is likely to be useful based on comparable historical content with comparable metadata properties).

Q: What has surprised you about the M.S. in Data Science program so far?

The friendly and welcoming reception and support system in place at UVA is even more than I expected. The university experience continues to develop and grow in such meaningful ways. I'm really grateful.

Q: What class do you look forward to taking?

Engineering is my true passion, and I look forward to each class I can take in this arena.

Q: What advice would you give to someone considering an MSDS?

Do not put off to tomorrow what you already need today. This program is very relevant across all industries. It will apply both to industry as well as the regulators in every country around the world where the goal is to both succeed and remain compliant. And compliance is best proven through data. In the words of one of my mentors, if it wasn't formally documented, it is doubtful that it ever happened and may be seen as mere graffiti.

Q: What are some fun facts about yourself?

I'm interested in almost everything, and I love people. I hold licenses in three industries and consider myself a lifelong learner. I am hoping to remain in industry as well as pursue creation of a consulting firm modeled after performance of a quality assurance audit, specifically in data management/governance in AI/ML where the robustness of data is examined for areas of improvement with recommendations for how to improve.

I was encouraged to come to UVA by my late father-in-law who earned his doctorate in government in the 1960s. I would love to follow in his footsteps and earn a Ph.D. someday under the right sponsor. UVA feels like home to me, and I hope my children will come here one day, too.