MSDS Residential Student Profile: James Hopper

Kirsten Samuels

February 10, 2025

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Biomedical Engineering

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Student Spotlight

James Hopper

Education
B.S. in Biomedical Engineering (Devices & Instrumentation Track), Minor in Business Management 2023, Case Western Reserve University

Hometown
Originally born in Birmingham, England, Hopper moved to the United States when he was 8 years old and grew up in Montgomery, New Jersey.

Meet James Hopper, a Master of Science in Data Science (MSDS) residential student and varsity tennis player with a background in biomedical engineering. With a passion for sports analytics, he aims to leverage data science to enhance athlete performance. Learn more about his journey, interests, and aspirations in the field.

Q: Tell us about your path to data science.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I received an additional 2 years of NCAA eligibility, allowing me to pursue graduate studies while continuing to compete in collegiate tennis. I have always been interested in the sports analytics world, and over recent years, it has only become bigger and bigger.

With a background in biomedical engineering, I've always enjoyed problem-solving, and I found that data science offers similar challenges in extracting and organizing specific datasets. The field of sports analytics has been a growing interest for me, and the reputation of UVA's M.S. in Data Science program drew me to the University of Virginia (UVA) and Charlottesville.

Q: What do you hope to do with a data science master's degree?

With an MSDS degree, my goal is to specialize in Sports Analytics and Sports Performance. As a lifelong athlete, I'm passionate about working hands-on with athletes to help them maximize their performance, whether in collegiate or professional environments. I believe this field will continue to expand, and the skills and tools from the MSDS program will be instrumental in achieving my career aspirations.

Q: What has surprised you about the MSDS program so far?

I would say the biggest thing that has surprised me so far is the diverse backgrounds of everyone within the cohort. I came into the program thinking that the majority of students would have a heavy computer science background. However, this is not the case as there are students who have come from all types of undergraduate backgrounds which I think is awesome.

Q: What are you involved in outside the class?

Beyond academics, I am a member of the varsity Men's Tennis Team at UVA, which is a significant part of my life outside of the classroom. Charlottesville offers wonderful outdoor opportunities, and I enjoy exploring the area through activities like hiking, fishing, and golfing with friends and teammates.

Q: What advice would you give to someone considering a master’s in data science?

Some advice I would give to someone considering a master's in data science would be to build a strong foundation in programming, statistics, and data manipulation. Along with this, I would say it's important to stay updated with industry trends and technologies to stay ahead as the field is rapidly evolving. I think it is also important to stay curious and have the willingness to be adaptable.