Image
MSDS Online Program Student and Alumni Ambassadors
Meet the Admissions Ambassadors of the M.S. in Data Science (MSDS) Online program. Feel free to email an ambassador directly with questions about the master's program or to schedule a time to speak with them by phone or Zoom. They are here to give you the student and/or alumni perspective and share their experiences.
Bhavya Devarsu
(she/her)
Email Bhavya
Connect on LinkedIn
Hometown: Germantown, MD
Undergraduate Institution: Pennsylvania State University
Major: B.S. in Cybersecurity
Q: Do you have previous work experience?
Yes, my last role was working in information systems and communications technology at the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. I had also done a few technical internships in college.
Q: What has been your favorite class in the program so far?
I am only in my second semester, but so far, my favorite class has been DS 6001: Data Engineering 1- Data Pipeline Architecture.
Q: What are your research/career interests?
I am interested in a few different topics, but mostly cybersecurity, healthcare, and environmental science. My undergrad major was in cybersecurity, and I'm looking to explore how these fields connect, like how security and data protection play a role in healthcare systems or environmental monitoring.
Q: What made you choose UVA for your MSDS?
I was drawn to UVA's MSDS program for a few reasons. UVA has a long-standing reputation as a prestigious institution, and the MSDS program lives up to that standard through its academic rigor and sense of community it fosters. It didn't feel like a program where you'd be left to figure things out on your own. From everything I learned about UVA, they genuinely support you through the process every step of the way.
Something that really stood out to me was their approach to AI. They've built ethics directly into the curriculum, and I really respected that. So many companies and programs right now are treating AI like it's the answer to everything, but UVA seems to understand that there's a time and place for it.
I also loved how the program frames data science as the multidisciplinary field it actually is. Data science touches so many fields, and I felt that UVA embraced this fully.
On top of that, the program opens a lot of doors, whether through networking, research, or hands-on opportunities that go beyond the classroom. The program is really invested in your career growth, from helping you with your job search to connecting you with the right people and resources to set you up for success after graduation.
Q: What is a fun fact about you?
A fun fact about me is that I'm also an artist! This past spring, one of my paintings was displayed in UVA's Contemplative Sciences Center's student gallery, which was a really exciting experience. I love all types of art, but mehendi, drawing, and painting are what I enjoy the most.
My main medium is oil paint, though I work with acrylics and watercolors a lot as well. I really enjoy doing mehendi on myself and on others! Lately, I have been dabbling in oil pastels, embroidery, and sewing, which have been really fun to explore.
Image
Abner Casillas-Colon, Alumni (he/him)
Email Abner
Connect on LinkedIn
Hometown: Alexandria, VA
Employment: Accenture Federal Services, Data Scientist (Arlington, VA)
Education: M.S. in Data Science 2025, University of Virginia
B.S. in Business Analytics and Management Information Systems 2022, George Mason University
Q: Did you have previous work experience before joining (or during) the MSDS Online program?
I currently work as a Data Scientist for Accenture Federal Services. I also worked as an associate for Kroll in Data Insights and Forensics for two years. Before that, I worked in accounting at a defense contractor for five years.
Q: What was one of your favorite classes in the program?
My favorite class was DS 6001L Practice and Application of Data Science. It does an excellent job of setting the foundation for how to perform very important data wrangling and cleaning tasks that are necessary for anyone who is working in data science and analysis.
Q: What are your research/career interests?
While I apply data science to many things my greatest focus is applying data science to meaningful public policy problems such as housing shortages to assist in researching ways to solve major problems.
Q: What made you choose UVA for your MSDS?
I chose UVA as I wanted the flexibility of an online program with the hands-on instruction of an in-person program.
Q: What is a fun fact about you?
I am an avid motorcyclist and used to work in e-sports.
Image
Becky Desrosiers, Alumna (she/her)
Email Becky
Connect on LinkedIn
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Employment: Orgvue, Data Scientist, (Philadelphia, PA)
Education: M.S. in Data Science 2025, University of Virginia
B.S. in Equestrian Studies: Business Management 2023, Averett University
Q: Did you have previous work experience before joining (or during) the MSDS Online program?
I didn’t have any work experience in Data Science. In undergrad, I worked for the barn where I learned to ride and take care of horses. Working with horses is a good experience for any job, in my opinion. More recently, I have been working as a TA in the data science program for the past two semesters.
Q: What was your favorite class in the program?
My favorite class was DS 6001: Practice and Application of Data Science. I learned a bunch of things that I was able to use to help streamline some mundane daily tasks at my job, and I felt so cool doing it!
Q: What are your research/career interests?
The program helped me figure out what I want to do. At this point, I’m interested in contributing to open-source solutions.
Q: What made you choose UVA for your MSDS?
I went to UVA for 2 years and finished my undergrad at Averett, but I loved UVA for the community and class rigor.
Q: What is a fun fact about you?
I play the trumpet.
Image
Andrea Jacobs (she/her)
Email Andrea
Connect on LinkedIn
Hometown: Schuyler, VA
Undergraduate Institution: Sweet Briar College
Major: Math-Computer Science and Spanish Business
Q: Do you have previous work experience?
I started my software engineering job over 22 years ago, working on complex systems utilizing C++ and C# programming languages for 7 years. During that time, I thought that I wanted to pursue a career as a Technical Lead/Project Manager. From my experience at that time, I thought to be the best technical leader was to understand the different roles that a technologist could be on a technical team.
For 10 years, I dedicated myself to acquiring the roles and learning areas such as Software Test Engineering/Software Quality Assurance, Release Management/Engineering, Agile Delivery Lead and Process Management. Though I enjoyed learning each of these roles and areas and how they impact the software development life cycle of a system, I missed programming and working with the programmers on technical problems.
Q: What has been your favorite class in the program so far?
I have enjoyed the programming classes the most with Prof. Alvarado and Prof. Kropko because it has reconnected me to my computer science roots. Its reminded me of how much I enjoy programming.
Q: What are your research/career interests?
Now I’m in exploratory mode because Data Science has so many opportunities to dive into different roles that one can contribute. I have come across some TEDx talks about how Native Americans are influencing AI by using it to preserve their indigenous languages. This captures my interest because, as a first generation Guatemalan American, I would love to help figure out how to help preserve the Mayan languages that exist in Guatemala.
Also, seeing the challenges that Guatemalan indigenous immigrants are having at the border because there are not enough tools to translate the 26+ dialects that Guatemala immigrants alone speak. As one of the AI TEDx speakers alluded to, an AI ecosystem should be able to support all of the human languages that are spoken on our planet if we want to claim it is a tool that will advance humanity.
Q: What made you choose UVA for your MSDS?
Many factors went into my decision to choose UVA for my degree. The top 3 priorities were my family, my style of learning, and cost. I wanted to make sure that as I went on this journey that my 7-year-old daughter and my husband didn’t feel that this was a solo venture. I’m a very ambitious woman and I don’t like to think that I have limitations. So, remembering that I’m human and love seeing my daughter grow, I wanted to be at a place that understood the sacrifices we make to get advance degrees later in life.
The UVA staff and professors have been amazing at ensuring that students knew this. Second, my style of learning is very synchronous, and UVA offers a style of teaching that is very much in-line with my ability. The lecture nights are amazing, office hours with the professors, study groups and online tools. The package UVA offers for the Online MSDS is amazing. It’s very flexible for someone like me that has a family, works with a local non-profit, and hustles with many part-time gigs.
Lastly, the cost of the UVA MSDS online program I feel is very reasonable for the experience that I’m investing in. I live close to Charlottesville, so having the ability to come study when I need, attend MSDS events, and meet the MSDS students in person is also very rewarding.
Q: What is a fun fact about you?
I was raised in Guatemala City during my early childhood. This connection is what drove me to be the Festival Director for Cville Sabroso Festival in Charlottesville. I love bringing our Latino/e/x community together to celebrate during Hispanic Heritage Month in September when our festival takes place. I love to eat and cook food from all types of ethnicities.
Image
Chapin (Meny) Large (she/her)
Email Chapin
Connect on LinkedIn
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Undergraduate Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Major: Biology, with minors in Chemistry and Psychology
Current Employer: Toxicology Analyst
Q: Do you have previous work experience?
I don’t have formal experience in data science yet, but I work closely with data every day in my role at a toxicology lab. I analyze biological samples using LC-MS methods, and I’ve realized that what I love most about the job is working with data. I’m excited by how patterns and trends can emerge, revealing insights that help solve problems. This experience handling and interpreting analytical results has sparked my interest in exploring data science more formally.
Q: What has been your favorite class in the program so far?
My favorite class so far has been Data Engineering: Data Pipeline Architecture. I enjoy how hands-on it is and how it challenges me to think critically about the flow and organization of data. I’m fascinated by seeing how data moves and is structured behind the scenes. Understanding how to build pipelines and keep data flowing smoothly feels like solving a complex puzzle, and it’s exciting to see how all the pieces fit together.
Q: What are your research/career interests?
I’m still exploring what specific path I want to take, but I know I want to stay connected to science. I’m especially interested in finding ways to combine data science with business strategy to make research and innovation more efficient, ethical, and impactful. I also love that I never quite know what new area might spark my curiosity next.
Q: What made you choose UVA for your MSDS?
I chose UVA because of its strong reputation for collaboration and its focus on real-world data science. The program’s structure and supportive community stood out to me, making it a place where I could grow, challenge myself, and explore how data science connects to the fields I’m passionate about. With its balance of technical depth, collaboration, and ethical focus, along with the faculty’s expertise, UVA felt like the ideal environment to learn, explore, and connect.
Q: What is a fun fact about you?
I used to volunteer at a wildlife rehabilitation center where I cared for all sorts of animals such as owls, squirrels, possums and even a bald eagle! It was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had, and seeing the animals treated and released back into the wild was incredible.
Image
Kent Livesay
(he/him)
Email Kent
Connect on LinkedIn
Hometown: Richmond, VA
Undergraduate Institution: James Madison University
Major: B.S. in Economics and B.A in Political Science and Government
Q: Do you have previous work experience?
I started off in the commercial construction industry working as a pre-construction engineer and project manager. Then I spent a couple years as a strategy analyst for a mortgage financing company. And for the past four years I have worked as a data analyst and strategist for a national health care device supplier.
Q: What has been your favorite class in the program so far?
The Understanding Uncertainty class was a fascinating experience, as it presented some topics that I have studied before but framed them in a completely different way than I had ever seen. It really expanded my comprehension of statistical topics because it challenged my existing perspective.
I also really enjoyed the Computation for Data Science class because it tied principles of computer science and discrete mathematics to data science applications in a very useful way.
Q: What are your research/career interests?
I am passionate about the socialization of data science education to the masses. It is very important for non-technical people to have a baseline understanding of data science and artificial intelligence in order to safely interact with the modern world. This philosophy guides my research, writing, and my career, as I try to solve problems with an approach that demystifies the world of data science, and makes it less intimidating for people at all levels.
Q: What made you choose UVA for your MSDS?
As a born and raised Virginian, UVA’s reputation goes without saying. Additionally, the School Without Walls philosophy at the School of Data Science is resonant with my approach to problem solving and advocating that everyone learn about data science. This has proven to be more than a slogan since I arrived here, as the sense of community and entrepreneurial culture of the school proves there are no boundaries between people or their ideas.
Q: What is a fun fact about you?
I am a lifelong guitarist and music addict. My favorite genres are very eclectic and include jazz, hiphop, heavy metal, classical, indie, and anything in between.
Image
Gina Mancuso
(she/her)
Email Gina
Connect on LinkedIn
Hometown: Princeton, NJ
Undergraduate Institution: University of Virginia
Major: B.S. in Business
Q: Do you have previous work experience?
I currently teach AP Statistics and Economics but have a bit of an entrepreneurial spirit. Prior to teaching I founded a fashion-tech company, worked in business development and finance-adjacent roles, owned a boutique fitness club, and competed professionally in equestrian show jumping.
Q: What has been your favorite class in the program so far?
My favorite class has been DS 6001: Practice and Application of Data Science. The live coding aspect allowed me to really grasp a solid foundation of working with raw data to find the story the data is telling us. It made data science feel much more practical and approachable, and it gave me confidence in my ability to work through real problems step by step.
Q: What are your research/career interests?
My interests sit at the intersection of sports, wellness, business, and analytics. I am especially drawn to wearable technology, performance data, consumer behavior, and applied modeling.
Long term, I would love to work in a role where I can combine data science with strategy, ideally in sports tech, health and wellness, or a consumer-facing business where data can directly shape products, performance, and decision-making.
Q: What made you choose UVA for your MSDS?
UVA felt like the right fit because of the strong reputation of the program, along with the rigor and flexibility it offers. I wanted a program that would challenge me technically while still allowing me to connect what I was learning to my professional background and broader interests.
As someone with a nontraditional path into data science, I was also drawn to a program that values interdisciplinary thinking and practical application, not just theory in isolation.
Q: What is a fun fact about you?
I am an avid tennis player and Hyrox competitor.
Image
Michael Walker
Email Michael
Connect on LinkedIn
Hometown: Springfield, VA
Undergraduate Institution: University of Virginia
Major: Mathematics – Probability & Statistics
Q: Do you have previous work experience?
Yes. I currently work as a Data Scientist at Amp Health, a health-tech startup focused on reducing musculoskeletal injuries in industrial workforces. Prior to this, I was a math tutor at Mathnasium and Northern Virginia Community College.
Q: What has been your favorite class in the program so far?
My favorite class so far is a toss-up between Understanding Uncertainty and Data Engineering. I have a strong fondness for the statistics we’re learning in Understanding Uncertainty—probably because it reminds me of my undergraduate coursework—but the hands-on applications of these concepts in Data Engineering make it a very close contender.
Q: What are your research/career interests?
My current research interests include Computer Vision and Large Language Models, though these are primarily technologies I want to learn to work with more effectively. It may sound a little strange, but my ideal career is one where I can spend my days in a room focusing deeply on solving problems.
Q: What made you choose UVA for your MSDS?
I chose UVA for my graduate studies because of the rigor of the MSDS program. I had the opportunity to take a few data science courses at the School of Data Science and quickly fell in love with the content.
Q: What is a fun fact about you?
I’m a single-digit handicap golfer.
Learn more about the part-time, 100% Online MSDS at the University of Virginia. Request more information, connect with Admissions, or start your application today.
