MSDS Online Program Student Ambassadors
Meet the Admissions Ambassadors of the M.S. in Data Science Online program. Feel free to email an ambassador directly with questions about the master's program or schedule a time to speak with them by phone or Zoom. They are here to give you the student perspective and share their experiences.
Haley Egan (she/her)
Hometown:
I'm originally from Boise, Idaho. I now live near Poulsbo, Washington.
Education:
B.S. in Environmental Science and B.A. in Spanish, University of Idaho
M.A. in Applied Ethics, Oregon State University
M.S. in Data Science, University of Virginia
Q: Do you have previous work experience?
I have work experience as a writing tutor, overseas English teacher, and Environmental Program Manager & Analyst for the California Department of Transportation. I have also worked numerous gig jobs and service jobs (TaskRabbit, Rover, substitute teacher, kickboxing instructor, cafes, restaurants, etc).
Q: What was your favorite class?
My favorite class was Deep Learning.
Q: What are your research/career interests?
For my career, my main goal is to make a positive impact in the world. I care most about humanitarian and environmental issues, such as Climate Change impacts.
Q: What made you choose UVA for your master’s in data science?
I really liked that the UVA Data Science program was geared toward people who wanted to change or advance their careers and was centered around hands-on real-world projects. I appreciated that I could attend online but have live classes and a small cohort of peers to learn and work with. I also wanted a program that emphasized statistics and ethics, and UVA was the strongest in these areas. This program checked all the boxes for me!
Q: What is a fun fact about you?
I love the outdoors! I hike, paddle board, and camp whenever possible. I currently live outside of Olympic National Park, on the Puget Sound, so when I'm not working/studying/data sciencing, I'm typically up a mountain or on the water.
Connect with me on LinkedIn.
Hannah Koizumi (she/her)
Hometown: Upton, MA
Undergrad institution: University of Virginia
Major: Public Policy and Leadership
Q: Do you have previous work experience?
I currently work for an organization aiming to pass electoral reforms to strengthen American democracy. In previous jobs, I worked with business leaders on democracy issues at the state and federal levels and led civic engagement organizing to turn young people out to vote on Election Day.
Q: What has been your favorite class in the program so far?
Prof. Alvarado's Programming for Data Science.
Q: What are your research/career interests?
I am interested in using large voter data to tell a story about possible weaknesses of American democracy and conducting analysis to make it more equitable.
Q: What made you choose UVA for your master's in data science?
I really appreciated that this program is designed for working professionals, so I could continue working while going back for my graduate degree.
Q: What is a fun fact about you?
I used to live across the street from where the new School of Data Science building is currently being built!
Connect with me on LinkedIn.
Theo Braimoh (he/him)
Hometown: Hanover, MD
Undergrad institution: University of Maryland, College Park
Major: Data Science
Q: Do you have previous work experience?
Yes, I worked as a Cybersecurity Analyst at Exelon under contract for almost 3 years. I left that role shortly before starting my capstone semester at UVA!
Q: What has been your favorite class in the program so far?
It would have to be a split between Data Engineering (DS5559) and Deep Learning (DS6050). I mentioned those two because they both have real-world applications. I was able to learn a lot about current world affairs through the Deep Learning coursework.
Q: What are your research/career interests?
I would like to be in a field where I can combine the knowledge I gained from my two favorite classes, Data Engineering and Deep Learning. So maybe this would look like a research position involving deep learning or a software engineering position that works with AI – the possibilities are endless!
Q: What made you choose UVA for your master's in data science?
I wanted a school that had a good online program and wasn't too expensive. UVA checked both boxes...to a degree (pun intended!). Of course, I jest; UVA is a great school and offers a lot of resources to help you succeed (e.g. Student Support Coaches, Study Groups and Course Office Hours).
Q: What is a fun fact about you?
I do parkour. Yes, really.
Connect with me on LinkedIn.
Suraj Kunthu (he/him)
Hometown: Centreville, VA
Undergrad institution: Virginia Commonwealth University
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Q: Do you have previous work experience?
I’ve been working as a production engineer at Celanese in Richmond, VA, for the past two years.
Q: What has been your favorite class in the program so far?:
I’m looking forward to taking Deep Learning in the fourth semester.
Q: What are your research/career interests?
I’m interested in machine learning and building artificial neural networks. I’m also interested in how we can better utilize data science tools in organizations to change for the better.
Q: What made you choose UVA for your master's in data science?
I chose UVA because of its curriculum, focus on teamwork, and emphasis on data ethics. Also, it’s the nation’s first School of Data Science!
Q: What is a fun fact about you?
I can't whistle but I love to try!
Connect with me on LinkedIn.
Abigail Snyder (she/her)
Hometown: Roanoke, VA
Undergrad institution: Liberty University
Major: Secondary Education
Q: Do you have previous work experience?
Ten years teaching middle and high school English in the international, public, and private educational spaces.
Q: What has been your favorite class in the program so far? I am actually most excited about one of the last classes in the course, SARC 5400: Data Visualization, because I love the idea of taking data and communicating it using eye-catching images.
Q: What are your research/career interests?
I'm a little undecided, but I am interested in both education equity advocacy and sports tech.
Q: What made you choose UVA for your master's in data science?
I learned that there was a collaborative effort between the school of education and the data science department to use data in the field of education and thought that sounded extremely interesting!
Q: What is a fun fact about you?
I race mountain bikes at the elite level, but hate mud (and all things creepy-crawly)!
Connect with me on LinkedIn.
