Ellie Davidson

Hi! My name is Ellie Davidson and I am a senior math major with a double minor in computer science and spanish. I discovered my interest in data science last year when I took Foundations of Data Science. I am excited to continue in the data scholars program and work on research that will give more real life applications to data science.

Chris Song

Hi, my name is Chris Song and I’m a senior Information Systems major who is currently a Data Science & AI Scholar working with Dr. Karen Chen. Currently, I work on the Education theme for the Lab of Informatics for Human Flourishing where we are researching how AI can help students in data storytelling. What excites me most about this work is seeing how technology can make complex ideas accessible to everyone. Looking ahead, I’m fascinated by how information technology and AI will continue to shape education, healthcare, and how we understand ourselves and our world. I’m grateful for this opportunity to learn from the great people at UMBC and contribute to work that could genuinely help people flourish.

Emma Shay

Hi, my name is Emma Shay and I am an Information Systems major with a minor in Management and a certification in Business Analytics. I am also a Center for Women in Technology Scholar. I work in the Human Flourishing Lab where I contribute to data analysis and dissemination for research in learning analytics.

My interests include leveraging data to inform decision-making and support impactful work, and I aspire to apply these skills within the public sector. I have a strong foundation in Python and experience in C++ and Java, and am interested in using data-driven approaches to support societal impact.

Amreen Adams

My name is Amreen Adams, and I am a second-year undergraduate student majoring in Information Systems. As a Data Science Scholar, I work with social media data to make complex information more accessible to students new to the field. I am excited to work with Dr. Chen in supporting the Informatics for Human Flourishing Lab and contributing to the UMBC undergraduate community. I am very grateful for this opportunity and look forward to learning through this experience!

Henry Sonti

Hi my name is Henry Sonti, I am a senior majoring Political Science with a minor in sociology. I love research across a number of different disciplines and fields of study, and I am looking forward to continuing that passion for research with Dr. Christine Mallinson as a research fellow.

Jay Gepilano

Hello everyone! My name is Jay Gepilano, and I am a third-year undergraduate majoring in Computer Science, with a double minor in Bioinformatics and Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies (GWST). This upcoming semester I’m incredibly excited to work with Vyacheslav Lyubchich on analyzing statistical methods, developed by him, to predict hypoxia events in the Chesapeake Bay via spatial networks. I strive to aid in bringing more accessible and reliable systems to environmentalists, ecologists, and biologists alike–and I plan to do just that by furthering my interdisciplinary experiences with Slava, as well as getting my Masters in Human Centered Computing (HCC)! Thank you to UMBC for this opportunity, and I look forward to what I will learn during the coming months!

Joseph Johnson

My name is Joseph Johnson and I am a junior at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County studying Computer Science. This will be my first semester as a Data Science Scholar, and I will be working with Dr. Eric Schott on the floating wetland project, involving the visualization of biodiversity and environmental data in the Chesapeake Bay. I have also been a Teaching Fellow for Computational Thinking and Design (comp 101) since the Fall of 2024 and will continue this semester. I am very excited for this opportunity to get real world experience 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. I fell in love with data science after my first semester at UMBC! I am incredibly excited to be a data scholar again this semester and continue working as a teaching assistant for IS 296.

Taylor Mills

My name is Taylor Mills, and I am a Business Technology major with a minor in Entrepreneurship at UMBC. My interest in data science and data analysis began after taking IS courses, where I developed a passion for programming and data collection projects. I enjoy exploring new programming languages and analytical techniques. Currently, I serve as a teaching fellow for IS 296 under Dr. Karen Chen. I am excited to be a data science scholar this semester!

Farell Kimble

My name is Farrell Kimble. I am an Information Systems major with a minor in Psychology and am on track to receive my Business Analyst Certification at UMBC. I am an aspiring Data Analyst with a strong interest in using data visualization and predictive analytics to drive decision-making. My background includes research in AI and database management, and I look forward to applying these skills to solve complex problems. I’ll be serving as the teaching assistant for IS 296, and I look forward to bringing enrichment to the classroom.

Henry Ramos Portillo