MSDS Residential Student Ambassadors

What has been your favorite class?       
My favorite class has been the Practice and Application of Data Science with Professor Kropko. Professor Kropko has been such a great teacher, continuing to ignite my passion for Data Science through his passion for it.

What are your research/career interests?       
I wish to apply my skills in the realm of sports. The prospect of delving into sports analytics seems extremely interesting to me. As data science continues to be recognized as a key contributor to a team or player's competitive success, I aspire to be a part of the significant societal and cultural relationship that exists between sports and analytics.

What made you choose UVA for your master's in data science?       
I chose UVA for my MSDS because I completed my undergraduate program here and formed friendships with several members from past cohorts who absolutely loved their experience. As my interest in data science continued to grow, I couldn't think of a better place to meet my learning needs than the MSDS Residential program here in Charlottesville.

What is a fun fact about you?       
I really enjoy playing tennis.

Do you have previous work experience?       
I worked in the granite countertop business with my dad during my gap year last year, interacting with various clientele throughout the San Diego region and learning about business systems and management.

What upcoming class are you excited about?       
I am looking forward to taking Ethics of Big Data this Fall.

What are your research/career interests?       
Given my fascination for business, as well as my love for physics, my career interests lie in the intersection of business and technology. I want to leverage the skills I learn in this program to help derive ethical solutions for the world’s current pressing problems in this sector, ultimately helping lead positive innovation.

What made you choose UVA for your master's in data science?       
I chose UVA due to its forward-focused curriculum, its mission statement, and its 11-month program length.

What is a fun fact about you?       
I studied abroad in Scotland for a semester!

What class are you looking forward to taking?       
I am looking forward the most to taking any class having to do with data visualization! I love customizing graphs with different colors, shapes, and other formatting options to convey a message depending on the task.

What are your research/career interests?       
I am interested in how data science impacts fashion and other creative industries and hope to have a career in a creative or marketing field.       

What made you choose UVA for your MSDS?       
I chose UVA because of the amazing faculty, small class size, and plethora of student resources provided by the School of Data Science. The faculty and staff go above and beyond to not only welcome students but to make them feel wanted and supported throughout the enrollment process.       

What is a fun fact about you?       
I learned to ski when I was 5 years old and try to go skiing at least once every year!

Do you have previous work experience?       
I worked as a vehicle certification and regulation specialist at Mitsubishi Motors, Okazaki, Japan for 4 years.

What has been your favorite class in the program so far and what class are you looking forward to?       
I liked Programming for Data Science (DS 5100) in the Summer term. Since I am from non-programming background, this class helped me pick up the pace in the fundamentals of programming. In the upcoming terms, I am looking forward to taking Bayesian Machine Learning (DS 6040) and Deep Learning (DS 6050).

What are your research/career interests?       
With data science training, I am planning to progress my career in the field of vehicle automation. However, looking at the adoption of Data Science in almost every field and its impact on business and society, I am keeping my options open for other fields as well.

What made you choose UVA for your MSDS?       
UVA offers an accelerated M.S. in Data Science without any compromise in the curriculum. This was perfect for me to take a short break from work and upgrade my career.

What is a fun fact about you?       
I can speak Japanese fluently and I have traveled to 25 prefectures in Japan.        

What has been your favorite class?       
 My favorite class has been Practice and Application of Data Science with Professor Kropko!

What are your research/career interests?       
 I am interested in data visualization and spatial analytics, but I know there are so many applications of data science I haven’t explored yet so I’m keeping my career options very open.

What made you choose UVA for your master's in data science?       
This program allows me to explore many avenues of data science without having to specialize in only one. I’m also excited that there are so many career opportunities in this area!

What is a fun fact about you?       
I try to pick up a new hobby during every break from school. Right now, when I’m not in class you’ll find me either rock climbing, painting, baking, hiking, making pottery, or going to the farmer’s market.

Do you have previous work experience?       
I was a Big Data Intern at Jewelry Television in Knoxville, Tennessee for the summer between my third and fourth year. I was able to learn a lot about data pipelines and data visualizations on a large scale, and using big data to gain more insights into business practices.

What class are you looking forward to?       
I'm looking forward to DS 6050: Deep Learning. I'm excited to learn more about neural networks, the tools needed to complete them, and some of their applications.

What are your research/career interests?       
I'm interested in working with machine learning, neural networks, and linear models. I'd love to end up using these tools within the data science field in my career, especially if it could be done within the field of sustainability!

What made you choose UVA for your MSDS?       
I chose UVA for my master's in data science because I already had a sense of how amazing the faculty is from my time as an undergrad here at UVA. I also knew that the curriculum was great and the cohort style learning was right for me.

What is a fun fact about you?       
I can cook a mean Paella - feel free to ask me about my family's food truck that makes it!       

Do you have previous work experience?       
I spent the summer of 2022 as a product management intern, where I gained exposure to an agile environment and worked cross-functionally with many stakeholders. Since, I’ve been working as a data science research assistant at the UVA Biocomplexity Institute. Specifically, I worked a lot with census data to analyze food insecurity in Virginia and created many data pipelines and visualizations.

What class has been your favorite?       
It is hard to choose one favorite class from all of the great ones we have had so far, but I really enjoyed the Practice and Application of Data Science course with Professor Kropko. In this course, we got to survey a wide range of topics such as database design, web scraping, data frame manipulation, and dashboard creation. 

What are your research/career interests?       
I am incredibly interested in sports (particularly the NFL), and would love the opportunity to do analytics for a professional team. Additionally, I see a future for myself in the world of tech working as a product manager, data scientist, or software engineer to inspire change and contribute to meaningful products. 

What made you choose UVA for your MSDS?       
I completed my undergraduate degree at UVA, and felt as though I missed a year of college due to COVID. I was not ready to leave Charlottesville behind and decided that I had more to contribute to this wonderful community. The UVA MSDS program presented the perfect blend of incredible opportunity and familiarity. 

What is a fun fact about you?       
Everybody in my immediate family is left-handed!       

What class are you looking forward to taking?       
I am looking forward to taking SYS 6023: Cognitive Systems Engineering because I am interested in how the human brain works, and what influences our thoughts and actions. I believe learning these topics will help us address significant issues that we are facing today concerning mental health and equality.

What are your research/career interests?       
I would like to research and have a career in environmental, social, and economic sustainability. I believe studying sustainability is an important concern for the future state of the world. Eventually, I would like to start a career in politics to improve these issues in the United States and worldwide.

What made you choose UVA for your master's in data science?       
There were multiple reasons why I felt UVA was the right school out of my choices: Charlottesville is an amazing town to live in (everything is within walking distance). The connections that I made prior to even starting: a previous Admissions Ambassador, Bella Samper, and the very patient and understanding Sadie Royal Collins, Director of Academic Operations & Admissions. Lastly, UVA is one of the top-ranking public institutions in the country, and hearing testimonies of what the MSDS program offered, I believed that I would receive an exceptional education.

What is a fun fact about you?       
I have two cats. An orange tabby named Minion, who will be ten in April 2024 and I have had him since I was fourteen. And my second cat’s name is Woody. He is a tuxedo cat and is a little over one.

What has been your favorite class so far and what class are you looking forward to?       
Linear models so far is my favorite class, and I’m looking forward tolearning more about predictive modeling from different classes.

What are your research/career interests?       
I’m interested in applying cutting-edge data science and data analytics techniques to solve problems in the healthcare field.

What made you choose UVA for your MSDS?       
I wanted to explore a new place while I’m pursuing a master’s degree indata science.       

What is a fun fact about you?       
I have never tired of having avocado toast for breakfast!  
 

What has been your favorite class in the program so far?       
Practice and Application of Data Science with Professor Jonathan Kropko

What are your research/career interests?       
Tech – Product Management

What made you choose UVA for your master's in data science?       
I am part of the MBA/MSDS dual-degree program and am also enrolled at the Darden School of Business. The ability to complete both degrees without having to attend an additional year is an attractive proposition to any career-oriented individual.       

What is a fun fact about you?       
I lived in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea while growing up.

What has been your favorite class in the program so far?       
Professor Alvarado's Programming for Data Science course was an excellent introduction to programming with Python and very beginner-friendly, especially for someone like me whose undergraduate major was in non-technical. I am very excited to learn more about machine learning in the fall and deep learning in the spring!       

What are your research/career interests?       
In terms of research interests, I want to learn more about machine learning and deep learning applications. In regard to career interests, I am exploring opportunities for social applications of data science and how they might better serve marginalized communities.       

What made you choose UVA for your master's in data science?       
The University of Virginia has always been my dream school since I was in high school. When I decided that I wanted to study data science, it seemed too good to be true that UVA offered a master’s degree in the School of Data Science. Moreover, the cohort model and year-long project were both highly appealing to me for their emphasis on a tight-knit community and hands-on learning.

What is a fun fact about you?       
I used to be very active in theater when I wanted to act and attend arts school. Although I am no longer pursuing theater, on the plus side, it has made me a better public speaker!

Do you have previous work experience?       
I was a research fellow at the Yale Child Study Center and Seattle Children's Research Institute.

What has been your favorite class in the program so far?It's a three-way tie between Linear Models for Data Science, Practice and Application of Data Science, and Programming for Data Science.

What are your research/career interests?       
I am currently also a Ph.D. student in the UVA Department of Psychology and am interested in the biological underpinnings of social behavior and well-being.

What made you choose UVA for your master's in data science?       
UVA has am MSDS/GSAS-PhD Fellowship that lets doctoral students in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences supplement their learning with data science training.       

What is a fun fact about you?       
I love to pen pal as a way to keep in touch with people and own a solid collection of stationary paper.

What has been your favorite class in the program so far?       
Practice and Application of Data Science with Professor Jonathan Kropko

What are your research/career interests?       
Tech – Product Management

What made you choose UVA for your master's in data science?       
I am part of the MBA/MSDS dual-degree program and am also enrolled at the Darden School of Business. The ability to complete both degrees without having to attend an additional year is an attractive proposition to any career-oriented individual.       

What is a fun fact about you?       
I lived in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea while growing up.

Do you have previous work experience?       
I worked in software development and data analytics.

What has been your favorite class in the program so far?       
Programming for Data Science       

What are your research/career interests?       
I am still exploring and keeping my options open.       

What made you choose UVA for your master's in data science?       
The length of the program and the integrated curriculum were selling points, as well as the fact that the program was in its own School of Data Science. I also spent a year of high school in Virginia as an exchange student so UVA was my natural go-to.

What is a fun fact about you?       
I was once the director of a Bollywood-style short film.

Do you have previous work experience?       
I worked for two years as a frontend software developer.       

What class are you looking forward to the most?       
I hope to take Advanced Use of Geographical Information Systems in the spring semester as an elective.       

What are your research/career interests?       
I'm interested in geographic information systems and data visualization but looking forward to exploring more facets of data science throughout the program!       

What made you choose UVA for your master's in data science?       
The beautiful campus, caring faculty, and all the fun things to do in Charlottesville!       

What is a fun fact about you? I used to volunteer at an animal sanctuary with rescue cows, horses, chickens, and goats before starting the program.

Do you have previous work experience?       
I worked at the Global Infectious Diseases Institute as a student researcher.

What has been your favorite class in the program so far?       
My favorite class so far would have to be Linear Models because I’ve enjoyed learning how to perform hypothesis testing and make predictions with a high level of confidence. It feels like looking into the future and performing magic, if you ask me. The class that I am most excited for is definitely the Capstone course because we’ll be tasked to solve real-world problems that don’t necessarily have a “right” answer and we’ll have the opportunity to pioneer a solution.

What are your research/career interests?       
I am keeping my mind open to the many fields that data science is integrated into and also to any cool opportunities that may come my way. However, I do think I would really enjoy being a data scientist in healthcare.

What made you choose UVA for your master's in data science?       
UVA is close to home so logistically it made sense for me. Most importantly though, I had the amazing opportunity to experience first hand UVA as an undergrad. UVA is determined to serve a purpose in every sector, so it was honestly a very simple decision for me.

What is a fun fact about you?       
I love to cook– so much that I actually sometimes pretend to have my own cooking show (with no audience, unfortunately) and will challenge myself to use random ingredients like on Chopped.

Do you have previous work experience?       
I worked at Stats Perform as a data insights intern and also worked at Randolph-Macon College for a year as an Annual Giving and Athletic Fundraising Specialist.

What class are you looking forward to the most?       
We haven't taken very many classes yet, but I am very excited for the spring to take the Data Visualization elective.       
What are your research/career interests?       
I would like to go into Sport Analytics after graduating.       

What made you choose UVA for your master's in data science?       
I chose UVA's M.S. in Data Science because from the beginning, when I spoke to faculty, staff, and students, I could tell they wanted their students to succeed. I was very impressed with all of the resources available to me. My favorite part is the small cohort style and emphasis on collaboration. It really gives you an opportunity to get to know your other classmates and get real world experience in working with people for a common goal.

What is a fun fact about you?       
I played lacrosse in college.

Do you have previous work experience?       
I spent four years at Dean & Company, a boutique management consulting firm.

What has been your favorite class in the program so far?       
Statistical Learning

What are your research/career interests?       
I plan on either pursuing a career in sports analytics or at the cross section of data science and business.

What made you choose UVA for your master's in data science?       
The one-year turnaround, integrative curriculum, and capstone opportunity were all exciting features of the program.

What is a fun fact about you?       
I have a fake front tooth.