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Ph.D. Program Grows to 59 Students with New Cohort
The University of Virginia School of Data Science is proud to welcome its newest cohort of 18 Ph.D. in Data Science students this fall. Representing a wide range of academic backgrounds, research interests, and life experiences, the students bring with them a shared motivation to advance responsible data science and pursue discovery across disciplines.
This year’s incoming students come from across the United States and around the globe, with students representing 11 U.S. states as well as China, Hong Kong, and South Korea. Their academic paths include degrees in anthropology, artificial intelligence, computer science, data science, economics, engineering, mathematics, rehabilitation therapy, robotics, and statistics — demonstrating the truly interdisciplinary nature of the field.
Motivated by Curiosity and Personal Growth
Many students were drawn to UVA for its collaborative culture and emphasis on interdisciplinary scholarship.
“What really attracts me to UVA's Ph.D. in Data Science is that it recognizes data science as more than just a combination of computer science and statistics,” said Wan Dang, who received a bachelor’s degree in computational and data sciences from George Mason University. “I'm fascinated by the possibility that data science can develop its own theories and research paradigms. I think UVA is one of the best places to explore that idea because of its strong interdisciplinary approach and its commitment to advancing the field itself,” he said.
Research interests of the Ph.D. students span human-centered AI, the science of science, trustworthy machine learning, multimodal learning, digital humanities, and applying data science to domains such as 3D computer vision, Bayesian statistics, robotics, and embodied AI. Career aspirations range from academic research and university teaching to healthcare settings and industry roles building ethical data systems.
Sabine Segaloff studied anthropology as an undergraduate before graduating with an M.S. in Data Science from UVA this past August. “I want to stretch my ideas, put them in a blender with people who think differently than I do,” she said. "Whatever I build will get pushed on from every angle, and I think that's exactly what it needs.”
A Program with History and Momentum
The Ph.D. in Data Science program was officially launched in 2022. At UVA, students earn a Ph.D. in data science from a school dedicated entirely to data science, rather than studying data science as a track within computer science, statistics or another discipline.
The program prepares researchers to expand what’s possible with data, computation, and AI. In a school designed to cross traditional academic boundaries, students develop individualized research pathways by working with faculty across UVA.
Thomas Stewart, program director for the Ph.D. in Data Science, highlighted the central role of students in shaping the School’s future. “Our Ph.D. students are the key to transforming our multidisciplinary faculty into a truly interdisciplinary hub,” Stewart said. “When students assemble mentorship teams that align with their research interests, they naturally foster greater collaboration across disciplines, helping us deliver on the promise of a new, independent School of Data Science.”
Looking Ahead
Now entering its fifth year, the Ph.D. program continues to grow in scope and impact. Students are engaged in cutting-edge projects across healthcare, artificial intelligence, climate science, security, and democracy, advancing knowledge while also contributing to the School’s mission to practice responsible data science for the common good.
As the new cohort settles into their studies, they bring with them curiosity, creativity, and a spirit of collaboration — qualities that will shape not only their own research journeys, but also the future of the School itself.
