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MSDS Online Program Student Ambassadors
Meet the Admissions Ambassadors of the M.S. in Data Science (MSDS) Online program. Feel free to email an ambassador directly with questions about the master's program or to schedule a time to speak with them by phone or Zoom. They are here to give you the student perspective and share their experiences.
Jett Badalament-Tirrell
(he/him)
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Hometown: Stony Brook, NY
Undergraduate Institution: The University of Virginia
Major: B.S. in Cognitive Science with Computer Science concentration
Q: Do you have previous work experience?
Yes, I have worked as a Game Developer at Little Creature LLC.
Q: What has been your favorite class in the program so far?
My favorite class in the program so far is DS5100 Programming for Data Science because I enjoy both the subject matter and in-class practice questions. I also have some Python experience already so it allows me to help other students at times.
Q: What are your research/career interests?
While I am open to working as a Data Scientist for most industries, I want to have my work make a meaningful positive impact in the lives of others, Ideally one that I can quantify and revel in the data of! I recently accepted a job as a Corporate Financial Analyst for Northwell Health, and am very excited to explore that industry.
Q: What made you choose UVA for your MSDS?
I went to UVA for my undergraduate and LOVED it, the faculty, course material, resources, and peers were all truly wonderful. The only thing I didn’t like was missing my friends and family in New York! When I started looking into Data Science, UVA was the first school I looked into, and the online option for the program as well as its emphasis on practice and teamwork made it a clear top pick for me.
Q: What is a fun fact about you?
I tend to get really into one hobby at a time! At some points it's been working on personal Pokémon romhacks, at other times it’s been playing Baldur’s Gate III with my dad and grandpa! Most recently I’ve been looking at getting back into playing Commander in Magic the Gathering.
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Abner Casillas-Colon
(he/him)
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Hometown: Alexandria, VA
Undergraduate Institution: George Mason University
Major: B.S. in Business Analytics and Management Information Systems
Q: Do you have previous work experience?
I currently work as a Data Scientist for Accenture Federal Services. I worked as an associate for Kroll in Data Insights and Forensics for the last two years. Before that, I worked in accounting at a defense contractor for five years.
Q: What has been your favorite class in the program so far?
My favorite class so far has been DS 6001L Practice and Application of Data Science. It does an excellent job of setting the foundation for how to perform very important data wrangling and cleaning tasks that are necessary for anyone who is working in data science and analysis.
Q: What are your research/career interests?
While I apply data science to many things my greatest focus is applying data science to meaningful public policy problems such as housing shortages to assist in researching ways to solve major problems.
Q: What made you choose UVA for your MSDS?
I chose UVA as I wanted the flexibility of an online program with the hands-on instruction of an in-person program.
Q: What is a fun fact about you?
I am an avid motorcyclist and used to work in e-sports.
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Becky Desrosiers (she/her)
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Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Undergraduate Institution: Averett University
Major: BS in Equestrian Studies: Business Management
Q: Do you have previous work experience? I didn’t have any work experience in Data Science. In undergrad, I worked for the barn where I learned to ride and take care of horses. Working with horses is a good experience for any job, in my opinion. More recently, I have been working as a TA in the data science program for the past two semesters.
Q: What has been your favorite class in the program so far? My favorite class so far has been DS 6001: Practice and Application of Data Science. I learned a bunch of things that I was able to use to help streamline some mundane daily tasks at my job, and I felt so cool doing it!
Q: What are your research/career interests? This program is helping me figure out what I want to do. At this point, I’m interested in contributing to open-source solutions.
Q: What made you choose UVA for your MSDS? I went to UVA for 2 years and finished my undergrad at Averett, but I loved UVA for the community and class rigor.
Q: What is a fun fact about you? I play the trumpet.
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Andrea Jacobs (she/her)
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Hometown: Schuyler, VA
Undergraduate Institution: Sweet Briar College
Major: Math-Computer Science and Spanish Business
Q: Do you have previous work experience?
I started my software engineering job over 22 years ago, working on complex systems utilizing C++ and C# programming languages for 7 years. During that time, I thought that I wanted to pursue a career as a Technical Lead/Project Manager. From my experience at that time, I thought to be the best technical leader was to understand the different roles that a technologist could be on a technical team.
For 10 years, I dedicated myself to acquiring the roles and learning areas such as Software Test Engineering/Software Quality Assurance, Release Management/Engineering, Agile Delivery Lead and Process Management. Though I enjoyed learning each of these roles and areas and how they impact the software development life cycle of a system, I missed programming and working with the programmers on technical problems.
Q: What has been your favorite class in the program so far?
I have enjoyed the programming classes the most with Prof. Alvarado and Prof. Kropko because it has reconnected me to my computer science roots. Its reminded me of how much I enjoy programming.
Q: What are your research/career interests?
Now I’m in exploratory mode because Data Science has so many opportunities to dive into different roles that one can contribute. I have come across some TEDx talks about how Native Americans are influencing AI by using it to preserve their indigenous languages. This captures my interest because, as a first generation Guatemalan American, I would love to help figure out how to help preserve the Mayan languages that exist in Guatemala. Also, seeing the challenges that Guatemalan indigenous immigrants are having at the border because there are not enough tools to translate the 26+ dialects that Guatemala immigrants alone speak. As one of the AI TEDx speakers alluded to, an AI ecosystem should be able to support all of the human languages that are spoken on our planet if we want to claim it is a tool that will advance humanity.
Q: What made you choose UVA for your MSDS?
Many factors went into my decision to choose UVA for my degree. The top 3 priorities were my family, my style of learning, and cost. I wanted to make sure that as I went on this journey that my 7-year-old daughter and my husband didn’t feel that this was a solo venture. I’m a very ambitious woman and I don’t like to think that I have limitations. So, remembering that I’m human and love seeing my daughter grow, I wanted to be at a place that understood the sacrifices we make to get advance degrees later in life. The UVA staff and professors have been amazing at ensuring that students knew this. Second, my style of learning is very synchronous, and UVA offers a style of teaching that is very much in-line with my ability. The lecture nights are amazing, office hours with the professors, study groups and online tools. The package UVA offers for the Online MSDS is amazing. It’s very flexible for someone like me that has a family, works with a local non-profit, and hustles with many part-time gigs. Lastly, the cost of the UVA MSDS online program I feel is very reasonable for the experience that I’m investing in. I live close to Charlottesville, so having the ability to come study when I need, attend MSDS events, and meet the MSDS students in person is also very rewarding.
Q: What is a fun fact about you?
I was raised in Guatemala City during my early childhood. This connection is what drove me to be the Festival Director for Cville Sabroso Festival in Charlottesville. I love bringing our Latino/e/x community together to celebrate during Hispanic Heritage Month in September when our festival takes place. I love to eat and cook food from all types of ethnicities.
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Cameron Preasmyer
(he/him)
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Hometown: Quartz Hill, CA
Undergraduate Institution: UC San Diego
Major: Business Economics
Q: Do you have previous work experience?
I served five years of active duty in the United States Marine Corps as a Satellite Communications Operator (0627 for those who know MOS codes) and was discharged as a Sergeant. Afterward, I worked as a building controls engineer at Siemens for a year, then another year as a Quality Assurance Engineer in data centers across Virginia.
Q: What has been your favorite class in the program so far?
I’m only in my first semester here, but I have to say that I’m really enjoying Linear Models for Data Science. I’m very quantitatively minded, and I’ve been enjoying getting hands-on experience with statistical models and programming together and improving in both areas.
Q: What are your research/career interests?
I like the idea of doing research in the fields of bioinformatics and biostatistics. However, my interests aren’t exclusively limited to those. The program is doing an excellent job of exposing me to new topics and ideas and my ambitions are evolving as I see new areas of opportunity.
Q: What made you choose UVA for your MSDS?
I chose UVA for data science because I wanted to be in a program that would set me up for success. When I was researching my options, I found that UVA’s MSDS program had a more rigorous curriculum, greater student outcomes, as well as a more dedicated and accomplished faculty. In addition, UVA’s investment in the School of Data Science was a testament to their commitment to the growing field of Data Science, and their students.
Q: What is a fun fact about you?
I learned to play the piano by ear.
