Choosing to pursue a Ph.D. in Data Science at the University of Virginia (UVA) School of Data Science in Charlottesville, VA, is a bold step toward advancing the future of technology and society. For Yuyang Cheng, originally from Chengdu, China, that decision grew out of a deep interest in how data quality, human feedback, and large language models (LLMs) shape the trustworthiness and impact of artificial intelligence.

With a unique academic background in computer science, translation, and computer technology, Cheng brings an interdisciplinary perspective to her doctoral studies and is passionate about developing human-centered AI that aligns with human cognition and societal values.

In the conversation below, Cheng shares what drew her to UVA, her research interests, and advice for students considering the Ph.D. program. Read on to learn more about her journey and what excites her most about being part of the UVA School of Data Science community.

Q: When and how did you become interested in data science?

I participated in several large language model (LLM) projects during my postgraduate study, and that is the time I realized how important data is to today's artificial intelligence, whether in terms of its quality, value, or security.

Q: Choosing a doctoral program is a big decision. Why did you choose UVA's Ph.D. in Data Science?

I want to explore how the value and quality of data shape and impact today's society through artificial intelligence, specifically LLMs. UVA's Ph.D. in Data Science is interdisciplinary and diverse, which I believe will provide me with broader perspectives and viewpoints toward my research goal of developing trustworthy LLMs.

Q: What areas of research interest you and why?

I am deeply interested in human-centered AI and trustworthy machine learning, particularly focusing on how data quality and human feedback can shape AI systems to better align with human cognition and societal needs.

Q: What do you hope to do with your data science degree?

With my Ph.D. in Data Science, I aim to bridge the gap between cutting-edge AI research and practical, ethical applications that benefit society. I want to develop novel methodologies for creating AI systems that are not only technically proficient but also aligned with human values and cognition. This involves creating new evaluation frameworks, improving data quality standards, and developing human-AI interaction paradigms.

Q: What advice would you give to prospective students considering a Ph.D. in Data Science? What do you wish you had known before starting?

I would suggest that prospective students invest time in understanding both the mathematical foundations and the practical implementation aspects. My engineering experience with LLM pipelines proved invaluable for understanding the gap between theory and practice.

I wish I had understood earlier that feeling "disconnected" from purely technical work is not a weakness but an opportunity to find your unique research voice. After completing successful technical projects like MAP-Neo, I initially struggled to find direction. I learned that this discomfort was guiding me toward more meaningful, human-centered research. Trust your instincts about what problems truly matter to you, even if they seem unconventional at first.

Q: What are your initial impressions of the school, faculty, and other students?

UVA's Data Science program impresses me with its truly interdisciplinary approach and commitment to valuable data science research. The faculty's expertise, including Sheng Li's and Tom Hartvigsen's work, deeply attracts me and creates an ideal environment for my human-centered AI research.

The opportunity to work with faculty whose expertise spans technical AI development and ethical considerations excites me immensely. As someone passionate about interdisciplinary research, I anticipate the challenge of maintaining deep technical expertise while exploring diverse perspectives.