MSDS Students Explore the Future of Data at rvatech/Data + AI Summit
A group of M.S. in Data Science (MSDS) residential students recently traveled to Richmond, Virginia to attend the rvatech/Data + AI Summit, a full-day conference exploring the latest innovations in data science, artificial intelligence, and analytics. Thanks to the support of the School’s Graduate Professional Development Fund, students were able to participate in this hands-on learning experience free of charge.
For MSDS student Ashley Huang, it was a first-time dive into the world of professional data conferences. “Attending the summit was an invaluable experience, especially since it was my first time at a data conference,” she said. “There were multiple talks by industry professionals on topics ranging from best data workflow practices to using LLMs in Microsoft Azure. I thought the talks were interesting, and it was great to interact with the speakers afterward.”
Students spent the day attending technical talks, participating in discussions, and networking with professionals across industries. MSDS student Christine George highlighted a particularly engaging session on GitHub and version control, led by Ryan Paul Lafler, CEO of Premier Analytics Consulting and adjunct faculty at San Diego State University.
“The presentation was extremely informative and easy to understand. We learned new ways to commit changes to GitHub repositories,” George shared. “We also got to speak with Vida Williams, Chief Data Officer of Stride Inc., and Ankit Mathur, Chief Technology Officer of UNOS. It was incredible to connect with professionals in the C-Suite and gain insight into what CTOs and CDOs actually do.”
For George and fellow MSDS student Riya Pulla, the conference also offered a homecoming of sorts. Both are VCU alumni and enjoyed speaking with current VCU students who were interested in data science. “It was nice to visit Richmond again,” George said. “We shared our experiences in the MSDS program and what it's like pursuing data science at UVA.”
The trip was made possible by the Graduate Professional Development Fund, a School of Data Science initiative designed to encourage students to pursue growth beyond the classroom.
“The Professional Development Fund was created to empower students to seek experiences that foster growth and take them beyond the classroom,” said Stephanie Joynes, Assistant Director, Career and Professional Development at the School. “We encourage students to step outside the School of Data Science, engage with professionals in the field, and gain firsthand insight into the latest developments, challenges, and ethical considerations of emerging technologies like data science and AI. The RVATech Data + AI Summit was a fantastic experience for our students to meet innovators, researchers, and other visionaries and dig into these conversations.”
Through events like the Data + AI Summit, students not only build technical knowledge but also develop the confidence and networks that will shape their futures as data scientists.
