UMBC Data Science Scholars

Kiffy Nwosu

Kiffy is a second year  study at Rochester Institute of Technology, New York, double majoring in Computer Science and Women, Gender and Sexuality studies . She started working at the lab as a high school intern and has transitioned to an undergraduate researcher under Dr. Janeja and PhD student Sara Khanjani. As a high school intern, her work focused more on data cleaning and collection, trimming audio, sorting audio, creating and sorting paths, and visualizing data sets. Currently, She works on the machine learning aspect of audio deepfakes specially matrix profiling and auto annotation of audio clips as sub sequences in a time series.

Olivia Patterson

Hello, my name is Olivia Patterson and I’m a senior at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. I’m a Computer Science student specializing in Data Science and Game Development. As a Data Science Scholar, I am thrilled to be able to merge my passions for data science and game development in researching the lifecycle of icebergs. My project focuses on creating an innovative data visualization of this lifecycle through an interactive video game. Data science captivates me with its ability to uncover stories within data and I am grateful for the opportunity to blend my interests in this project to bring those stories to life.

Ashraf Kawooya

My name is Ashraf Kawooya, and I am a junior majoring in Computer Science at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). My primary focus areas are cyber security and software engineering, though I remain open to exploring other fields within computer science. I have a passion for coding and enjoy learning new programming languages.

For the Data Scholars program, I am excited to be working on the DeepFake AI detection project under the mentorship of Dr. Vandana Janeja. This opportunity allows me to delve into the fascinating and critical field of artificial intelligence and its applications in security. I am eager to enhance my knowledge and develop practical skills through collaboration with a superb team. This experience will be invaluable as I prepare to enter the tech job market.

Katherine Morales

My name is Katherine Morales and I am an Economics and Information Systems student! I am fascinated by data science and its versatile uses in various industries. I am most specifically passionate of the use of data science in forensic science to analyze patterns of fraud and protect victims of major loss and crime. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and want to learn how data science works not just in forensic science but in every aspect of our lives

Kavin Manivannan

My name is Kavin Manivannan, and I’m a sophomore majoring in Information Systems. Primarily, I’m specializing in data science. As a data science scholar, I’m utilizing the machine learning process to develop publicly available educational resources to teach deepfake detection to students and the general public alike. Audio deepfakes pose a cyber security threat, and I’m excited about using data science to mitigate harmful technologies.

Noshaba Nasir Bhalli

Sydnee Angus

Hello ! My name is Sydnee Angus, and I am an IS major in my junior year.

As a Data Science Scholar, I support the Informatics for Human Flourishing lab to promote the desire to live well – to flourish – by grappling with arising data-driven problems. Per my role, I assist individual students and groups of students in data collection, analyses and visuals who seek to expand and improve student life at UMBC.

Vigna Majmundar

My name is Vigna Majmundar, and I am a junior majoring in Information Systems at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Recently, working under the mentorship of Dr. Karen Chen. I am continuing the research I began over the summer, focusing on data storytelling and model evaluation, where I contribute to projects involving AI-driven insights and data analysis. This role allows me to expand my technical expertise and contribute to impactful research in the field of data science.

Praise Odiaka

Hi, my name is Praise Odiaka, and I am a sophomore majoring in Information Systems and minoring in Management at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. I am very interested in data study and analysis and am extremely excited to be a data scholar this semester! I am a teaching assistant for IS 296 and love working with new people. My hobbies consist of watching soccer and hanging out with my friends. I hope to grow within my career and as a person!

Carl ‘CJ’ Brown

Ellen Jagne

Eman Omer Hussien

My name is Eman Hussien. I am an Information Systems major. I am an aspiring Data Analyst and Consultant. I am interested in research and risk management as well. I look forward to what this opportunity would teach me.

Ashraf Kawooya

My name is Ashraf Kawooya, and I am a junior majoring in Computer Science at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). My primary focus areas are cyber security and software engineering, though I remain open to exploring other fields within computer science. I have a passion for coding and enjoy learning new programming languages.

For the Data Scholars program, I am excited to be working on the DeepFake AI detection project under the mentorship of Dr. Vandana Janeja. This opportunity allows me to delve into the fascinating and critical field of artificial intelligence and its applications in security. I am eager to enhance my knowledge and develop practical skills through collaboration with a superb team. This experience will be invaluable as I prepare to enter the tech job market.

Kavin Manivannan

Hi, my name is Kavin Manivannan, and I am a rising sophomore majoring in Information Systems. As a Data Science Scholar, I’m working on the MData Lab’s project on Audio Deep Fake Discernment-Education. Audio deep fakes pose a cybersecurity threat as they can mimic human voices. l’m really passionate about data science, and I’m excited about using it to explore ways to mitigate harmful technologies

Katherine Morales

My name is Katherine Morales and I am an Economics and Information Systems student! I am fascinated by data science and its versatile uses in various industries. I am most specifically passionate of the use of data science in forensic science to analyze patterns of fraud and protect victims of major loss and crime. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and want to learn how data science works not just in forensic science but in every aspect of our lives

Ansh Shah

Hi, my name is Ansh Shah and currently I’m majoring in Information Systems along with certifications in Business Analytics and UX Design. I am excited to be a Data Science Scholar this semester. My interest in data science formed after I took a few courses at UMBC, where I learned to project events and provide insights through visualization techniques for large datasets using python. I would like to pursue a career in fields related to Data Science.

Olivia Patterson

Hello, my name is Olivia Patterson and I’m a senior at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. I’m a Computer Science student specializing in Data Science and Game Development. As a Data Science Scholar, I am thrilled to be able to merge my passions for data science and game development in researching the lifecycle of icebergs. My project focuses on creating an innovative data visualization of this lifecycle through an interactive video game. Data science captivates me with its ability to uncover stories within data and I am grateful for the opportunity to blend my interests in this project to bring those stories to life.

Whitney Fils-Aime

Whitney Fils-Aime is a senior at Georgetown University, majoring in Linguistics. She is interested in human speech error, backchanneling, and self-initiated self-repairs in conversation and is eager to see how these elements of discourse will be replicated by deepfakes. Whitney is joining the linguistics team to aid in spreading awareness about the dangers of deepfakes and share practical methods individuals can use to identify and protect themselves from such threats. Currently, she is focused on locating existing works that discuss media literacy and how to prevent falling for manipulated audio. She is also taking the lead on sourcing multilingual, multi-speaker, accessible datasets, and linguistics x AI related syllabi to include in an upcoming educational repository. This resource will be available for educators, students, researchers, and the general public to learn more about how they can detect deepfake audio.

Kiffy Nwosu

Kiffy is a second year  study at Rochester Institute of Technology, New York, double majoring in Computer Science and Women, Gender and Sexuality studies . She started working at the lab as a high school intern and has transitioned to an undergraduate researcher under Dr. Janeja and PhD student Sara Khanjani. As a high school intern, her work focused more on data cleaning and collection, trimming audio, sorting audio, creating and sorting paths, and visualizing data sets. Currently, She works on the machine learning aspect of audio deepfakes specially matrix profiling and auto annotation of audio clips as sub sequences in a time series.

Ansh Shah

Hi, my name is Ansh Shah and currently I’m majoring in Information Systems along with certifications in Business Analytics and UX Design. I am excited to be a Data Science Scholar this semester. My interest in data science formed after I took a few courses at UMBC, where I learned to project events and provide insights through visualization techniques for large datasets using python. I would like to pursue a career in fields related to Data Science

Iverson Scarlett

My name is Iverson Scarlett,I am a senior Information Systems major at UMBC. As a Data Science Researcher in the iHARP project, I investigate the interactions between sea ice and ice sheet melting in the Antarctic region. Through analyzing observational data and employing data science techniques, I aim to uncover the dynamics affecting our planet’s climate and sea levels. I am passionate about leveraging data science for good, I am committed to addressing global challenges like climate change, pollution, poverty, and starvation, aspiring to create a sustainable and equitable future for all.

Katherine Morales

My name is Katherine Morales and I am an Economics and Information Systems student! I am fascinated by data science and its versatile uses in various industries. I am most specifically passionate of the use of data science in forensic science to analyze patterns of fraud and protect victims of major loss and crime. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and want to learn how data science works not just in forensic science but in every aspect of our lives.

Tobi Williams

My name is Tobi Williams, I am a senior computer science major. and I’m excited to be a data science scholar. I hope to learn some valuable skills in a new field, make meaningful contributions and interact with knowledgeable people. I plan to pursue a career in software engineering and cloud computing after graduation. In my free time I like to play soccer, watch youtube, and cook

Marazal Bahrainee Islam 

My name is Marazal Islam, and I am a current Information System student with a minor in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology. As a Data Science Scholar, I work with the Blaney Lab to monitor PFAS(per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) concentration in household items. These synthetic chemicals are a risk factor for causing cancer and various endocrine disorders among women. I am extremely passionate about data science in health care, particularly women’s health and neurological disorders. I believe that data analysis is a transformative force in uncovering key insights and creating innovative, personalized solutions to some of the most pressing health challenges that are faced by underprivileged populations.

Tobi Williams

My name is Tobi Williams, I am a senior computer science major. and I’m excited to be a data science scholar. I hope to learn some valuable skills in a new field, make meaningful contributions and interact with knowledgeable people. I plan to pursue a career in software engineering and cloud computing after graduation. In my free time I like to play soccer, watch youtube, and cook.

Mahmoud Abdel-Halim

Mahmoud is a third-year at UMBC, where he double majors in psychology and information systems. He would like to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology specializing in Neuroscience and substance. He plans on using data science for neuro-computation and collecting and sorting data more efficiently. He is very excited to perfect his data science skills.

Eman Omer Hussien

My name is Eman Omer Hussien. I am an international student from Ethiopia. I am majoring in Business Technology Administration. My interest in technology started from a young age I always wanted to code and analyze data. The classes I took at UMBC had proven to me that I am capable of pursing my career in a path I want and I am very passionate about.

Ellen Jagne

I am a Business Technology Administrations major with an interest in working with organizations to perform and analyze computations that draw insights from collected data, and how that can improve the functions/operations of a business. I am excited to be a data scholar this semester, I am currently a TF for IS 296, and can’t wait to see all the new people and opportunities to come.

Gehan Boteju

Hi my name is Gehan Boteju and I am a sophomore at UMBC pursuing a career in Data Science. Currently I am a double major in Business Technology Administration and History. In my spare time I like to lift weights and read. I really like world history but Asian history in particular.

Kiffy Nwosu

Kiffy is an incoming freshman at Rochester Institute of Technology, New York where she will be majoring in computer science. She started working at the lab as a high school intern and has transitioned to an undergraduate researcher under Dr. Janeja and PhD student Sara Khanjani. As a high school intern, her work focused more on data cleaning and collection, trimming audio, sorting audio, creating and sorting paths, and visualizing data sets.

Currently, She works on the machine learning aspect of audio deep fakes. Specifically developing and testing out algorithms that visualize audio and motifs amongst real and fake audio. She is also involved in annotating and comparing audio outputs.

Chloe Evered

Chloe is a rising senior at Georgetown University, originally from Houston, Texas, studying linguistics with a minor in Chinese. For the summer of 2023, She joined the project as an undergraduate researcher on the linguistics side with Dr. Christine Mallinson and PhD student Lavon Davis. She listens to recordings of both fake and authentic audio to identify linguistic cues that distinguish deepfakes from real speech.

She is now developing a training program based on those cues that were identified with the aim of teaching people what to listen for when they encounter potentially fake audio online. She assists with evaluating the efficacy of this training program and further refining it and also with literature reviews and provides support to the rest of the team in writing about the project for publication in academic journals

Eman Omer Hussien

My name is Eman Omer Hussien. I am an international student from Ethiopia. I am majoring in Business Technology Administration. My interest in technology started from a young age I always wanted to code and analyze data. The classes I took at UMBC had proven to me that I am capable of pursing my career in a path I want and I am very passionate about.

Gehan Boteju

Hi my name is Gehan Boteju and I am a sophomore at UMBC pursuing a career in Data Science. Currently I am a double major in Business Technology Administration and History. In my spare time I like to lift weights and read. I really like world history but Asian history in particular.

Harshini Arumugam

My name is Harshini Arumugam and I am a first-year Business Technology Administration and Public Health double major. Having taken IS 296 last semester, I can say that it was one of the most enjoyable and invigorating courses that I have taken. I was able to form several connections between data science and health disparities in various communities. As a Data Science Scholar, I hope to leverage these connections to explore various avenues for learning and growth in this multidisciplinary field.

Carl Brown

Hi, my name is Carl and I am a Business Technology Administration major working on a Computer science minor. I enjoy coding and so, I got into data science at UMBC through IS296 class, using unorganized data and finding all the similarities and differences in that data. I am excited and grateful for the journey in the Data Science Scholar program

Chi-Chi Onyekonwu

My name is Chi-Chi Onyekonwu. I am a senior Financial Economics and Mathematics double major with a Russian certificate. I enjoy working with data to answer questions that interest me. After undergrad, I plan on working as a research assistant and then going for my doctorate. I am excited to work on better understanding data science.

Nehal Naqvi

Nehal Naqvi is a 2nd Year Political Science and Statistics Major. He is also an Honors College Student and Sondheim Public Affairs Scholar

Chi-Chi Onyekonwu

My name is Chi-Chi Onyekonwu. I am a senior Financial Economics and Mathematics double major with a Russian certificate. I enjoy working with data to answer questions that interest me. After

undergrad, I plan on working as a research assistant and then going for my doctorate. I am excited to work on better understanding data science.

Justin Thai

My name is Justin Thai. I am an Information Systems Major in my Senior year here at UMBC. I discovered my interest in data science while I was taking a technical writing course for my IS track, where I was introduced and humbled to the world of data and the significance it has. Seeking to dive into data further, I took IS296 and found it to be incredibly fulfilling and inspiring. From then on, how I perceived information changed. Numbers and figures meant more, I saw them as a part of a much bigger picture. I learned to formulate questions and how to extract answers. I find myself here, as a Data Science Scholar, to hone my understanding of data science and to learn much more along the way.

Nehal Naqvi

Nehal Naqvi is a 2nd Year Political Science and Statistics Major. He is also an Honors College Student and Sondheim Public Affairs Scholar.

Sam Geverdt

My name is Sam Geverdt. I am Sophomore and a Geography and Environmental Science major at UMBC. Ive been interested in data science since high school where I studied data on concussion rehabilitation in urban vs rural areas. Since then I have been interested in using data science to help us solve geospatial issues like natural disasters or food shortages. I realized the potential data science has in the geospatial world when I worked for FEMA for a year. We worked on multiple different natural disasters and in retrospect, all of them could have benefited greatly from an analytical data driven set of goals. With what I have learned about data analysis and application I hope to make the mitigation and saving of homes and people an even more achievable goal. Besides being in the labs, you can often find me in the commons or the weight room where I love to train with my friends!

Sunny Balani

My name is Sunny and I’m a senior Information System Major with a certificate in Cybersecurity along with a minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation here at UMBC. I am grateful for going the data scholars to learn more about data science and perhaps pursue it in the future.

Abbey Cotton

Hi, I’m Abbey Cotton and this is my last semester at UMBC as a Public Health major with a minor in Computer Science. I’ve always loved playing with data and technology in order to create things and discover hidden patterns. As a public health student, data science provides me the opportunity to use that passion to improve people’s health and wellbeing. In the fall I was an intern at Retriever Essentials and worked to improve data collection by developing an inventory web app which focused on nutrition. The goal is for it to be actively used by volunteers this semester.

Isabella Laditi

My name is Isabella Laditi and I am a BTA Major in my freshman year. Prior to taking IS296 last semester I had no previous experience in programming. Data Science was my first experience with programming and it developed an interest in it for me. I want to continue learning and evolving in my programming skills.

David Wang
Hello! 你好! My name is David Wang, and I am a Biological Education (BIOE) major in my junior year at UMBC. I have had limited data science experience; I suppose taking one computer science class in high school was the extent. Realistically though, even though I hadn’t worked directly with data science, it’s actually all around us in the information age: in my post-game statistics after a League of Legends game, in the measurements health leaders are making to determine whether it is safe to stop social distancing, in the huge impacts of weather all over the country/world. Even after taking IS296, I don’t feel like I am a great coder–I typically take a lot longer compared to my classmates, but the thing that makes data science amazing is that coding is just a small part of a huge field filled with ways to understand and comprehend the world around us. I am always impressed by the applications that data science can provide, and I am excited to be a data science scholar this semester and work with climate data.

Khalyl Konkobo

The first time I heard about data science was in 12th grade from my math teacher. I used to love math and anything related to science in general, so my teacher thought actuarial science would be a really good fit for me. I almost instantly got attracted to the idea of using data in order to quantify the risk of an accident happening and using that information in order to price insurance products. Then I learned how data could be used to solve broader problems in a multitude of domains and it almost felt like a superpower to me. This semester I will be working on a research project with Dr Karen Chen and doing some peer mentoring. I really look forward to it!

Sam Geverdt

My name is Sam Geverdt. I am Sophomore and a Geography and Environmental Science major at UMBC. I’ve been interested in data science since high school where I studied data on concussion rehabilitation in urban vs rural areas. Since then I have been interested in using data science to help us solve geospatial issues like natural disasters or food shortages. I realized the potential data science has in the geospatial world when I worked for FEMA for a year. We worked on multiple different natural disasters and in retrospect, all of them could have benefited greatly from an analytical data driven set of goals. With what I have learned about data analysis and application I hope to make the mitigation and saving of homes and people an even more achievable goal. Besides being in the labs, you can often find me in the commons or the weight room where I love to train with my friends!

Olisaemeka Okolo

My name is Olisaemeka Okolo. I am an Information Systems major and Entrepreneurship minor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. I am presently a student researcher in the MData Lab and a member of the Harnessing the Data Revolution’s Data Science Corps.

I am a transfer student from Nigeria, where I was an economics major. I joined UMBC as a business technology and administration major before transitioning to an information systems major.
I fell in love with data science from the anime Psycho Pass where the concept of an artificially intelligent city piqued my interest. I love finding patterns in data and applying those patterns to solve problems and tell stories. Data science feels like a super power, and I am constantly excited to learn new skills.

When I’m on campus you can always find me in the weight room. I love strength training and I once competed in a local powerlifting meet.

Olisa Okolo

My name is Olisaemeka Okolo. I am an Information Systems major and Entrepreneurship minor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. I am presently a student researcher in the MData Lab and a member of the Harnessing the Data Revolution’s Data Science Corps. I am a transfer student from Nigeria, where I was an economics major. I joined UMBC as a business technology and administration major before transitioning to an information systems major. I fell in love with data science from the anime Psycho Pass where the concept of an artificially intelligent city piqued my interest. I love finding patterns in data and applying those patterns to solve problems and tell stories. Data science feels like a super power, and I am constantly excited to learn new skills. When I’m on campus you can always find me in the weight room. I love strength training and I once competed in a local powerlifting meet.

Sindhoori Mukka

Hello! My name is Sindhoori Mukka, and I am currently a senior undergraduate student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, majoring in Information Systems with an Entrepreneurship and Innovation minor. During my final semester on campus, I am working with Dr.Kleinsmith on a Human-Computer Interaction research project involving data analytics and interpreting results to determine UI design guidelines. I am also currently interning at IMPAQ International where I get to work with developers, researchers, and project managers to complete day-to-day tasks. Moving forward, I would like to get into the field of data science, project management, and software development. In my free time, I work at a dance company as an Instructor guiding children through various dance styles and methodologies.

Harrison DeFord

Hello! My name is Harrison DeFord and I’m a senior studying for a B.S. in Environmental Science, with a focus in GIS and cartography. I’m an avid backpacker, so maps have always been of particular interest to me. Being able to use software to sort and analyze spatial data and then find intuitive and informative ways to display it on a map is something that I’ve really enjoyed practicing and gaining experience in through my classes at UMBC. My aim is to eventually be able to work in the spatial data analysis field, and I hope to be able to work in a position at the intersection of wildfire science and GIS.

Christophe Haddad

Hello, my name is Christophe Haddad, an American-Lebanese undergraduate studying Business Technology Administration and Psychology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Currently I am a Machine Learning and Brain Analytics researcher at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, as well as an ISO 9001 Lead Auditor. Data science is our potential to find practical solutions to a range of problems threatening health, well-being, and the quality of life for everyone in our societies. As a Data Scientist, my role is to apply my abilities and passion to benefit our communities and the world at large. In addition to my professional duties, I enjoy skiing, traveling, and spending time with my family and friends

Sadia Rahman

My name is Sadia Rahman and currently studying Information Systems at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. I’m presently a Big Data Student research in the department of information Systems with a passion for volunteering. For the past 3 years I have been involved with The REACH Initiative (currently the director), Center of Women in Technology (CWIT) as an affiliate and also a cyber affiliate, and lastly I am the present marketing director of the Information System Council of Major (ISCOM).

I love working with data, I find the ability to telling so many different stories with data an amazing skill. Being able to narrate an educational story to an audience through facts and visualization is almost a necessity in current day to get a message across. It is for this very reason I have become so enthralled with data science. It’s ever expanding and I feel as though I will never not be excited, consistently picking up new skills and tools. Data science is an amazing world and I am constantly in awe.

I was born in Bangladesh, grew up in Australia, studied in boarding school in UK for two year and finished off my a levels and o levels back in Bangladesh before finally moving to the states to commence my higher education

Anya Hossaini

Hello ! My name is Anya Hossaini ( She| her| hers). I am a senior at UMBC studying computer science. I am part of the Transfer student network leader and a mentor to incoming transfers along with being in NRHH which is an honors program at UMBC for residential students. Other than that I am an affiliate within CWIT, the center for women in technology. When I’m on campus I love to play soccer, and spend time with friends. Data science is interesting to me because there’s always a new topic to learn.

Tilina Alzaben

Hello! My name is Tilina Alzaben, and I’m currently an undergraduate student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, studying statistics and computer science. Upon graduation, I’m hoping to either get into the field of machine learning or data science.

My passion for data analytics stems from the ability to transform raw numbers into meaning, creating stories and beautiful visualizations in order to find solutions to various problems.

On campus, I’m currently the Assistant Director of the REACH Initiative, and a member of the mathematics society, Pi Mu Epsilon. In my free time, I work as a coding instructor, guiding children through the fundamentals of computer programming.

Curtis Byrd

Hi my name is Curtis and I’m a computer science major and also pursuing the IS minor at UMBC, I became interested in data science because I love to explore new fields, and I was intrigued by the analytical power of the various tools I found while exploring the subject. When I was living on campus I was an avid member of the jiu-jitsu and cyber dawgs clubs.