MDI Scholars

The MDI Scholars program was launched in 2019 through the Massive Data Institute (MDI) as an experiential learning opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to work alongside researchers and practitioners to engage in interdisciplinary data science and public policy research across Georgetown.

Research

In partnership with faculty and participations, MDI Scholars participate in interdisciplinary data science and public policy research across Georgetown.

Skills-building

Students meet 4 times a semester to deep-dive on relevant data science tools and theories and exchange ideas to build their understanding of tools and methods used by researchers and practitioners.

Showcase

At the end of the semester, MDI Scholars present findings from their research at the MDI Scholars Showcase. This is an opportunity for a broader audience to learn more about students’ research.

Apply now to be a Spring 2026 MDI Scholar!

MDI Scholars talk in front of a poster at the research showcase

Applications are now open for enrolled GU students.
Priority deadline: Friday December 12 at 12 noon Eastern.

Current MDI Scholars

MDI Scholars work with faculty and researchers on cutting edge research projects at the intersection of data science and public policy. They are undergraduate and graduate students from across the University who form a community of like-minded people who are advancing data analysis for public policy at Georgetown.

Ihsan Alaeddin

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Data Science and Analytics ’26

Kate Arkin

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science, Minor in Computer Science ’26

Camden Baucom

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Computer Science and Government, Minor in Philosophy ’26

Stacy Che

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Data Science and Analytics ’26

Victor Chen

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Computer Science and Economics ’27

Anile Choice

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, MS in Data Science & Analytics, Fall ’25

Izzy Coddington

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Master of Sciences in Mathematics and Statistics ’26

Henry Deng

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Computer Science and Mathematics, Minor in Economics ’26

Sophia Dorr

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Computer Science and American Musical Culture, Minor in Mathematics ’27

Haiqa Sarosh Fatima

Walsh School of Foreign Service, Master of Arts in International Migration and Refugees ’25

Adrian David Frauca

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Computer Science & Mathematics ’27

Alessandra Garcia Guevara

Undergraduate Fritz Fellow
Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Computer Science ’26

Alexia Guo

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, MS in Mathematics & Statistics ’26

Siyu Hu

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Data Science and Analytics ’26

Ibadat Jarg

McCourt School of Public Policy, Data Science for Public Policy ’26

Jay Kakani

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Mathematics and Government ’28

Sazan Khalid

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, MS in Artificial Intelligence ’27

Amy Li

Walsh School of Foreign Service, Business and Global Affairs, Minors in Statistics and French, Fall ’25

Guilherme Lima

Walsh School of Foreign Service. Science, Technology and International Affairs, Minor in Computer Science ’28

William Lowthert

McCourt School of Public Policy, MPP in Education & Workforce Development Policy ’26

Cindy Lyu

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, MS in Data Science & Analytics, ’26

Ashiesh Mathews

McDonough School of Business, Business Management ’26

Alexa Nakanishi

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Mathematics, Justice & Peace Studies ’26
Accelerated MS in Data Science & Analytics

Saanvi Shashikiran

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Computer Science and Psychology, Minor in Mathematics ’27

Maggie Shen

Undergraduate Fritz Fellow
Georgetown College, Mathematics & Computer Science ’26

Yuxi Shen

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Data Science and Analytics ’26

Marie Vaughan

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Data Science and Analytics ’26

Qingyang Wang

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Data Science and Analytics ’26

Xiao Xu

McCourt School of Public Policy, MSPP in Data Science for Public Policy ’26

Spring 2025 MDI Scholars

MDI is excited to welcome the Spring 2025 Cohort of the MDI Scholars Program.

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Spring 2025 Research At MDI

The Massive Data Institute at the McCourt School of Public Policy welcomed the Spring 2025 Cohort of student researchers.

explore the research

Past MDI Scholars

Every semester new Scholars join the MDI team. See the past Scholars and their work here.

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Research Advisors

Nejla Asimovic

Assistant Professor

Shweta Bansal

Professor

Sarah Bargal

Assistant Professor

Robin Dillon-Merrill

Professor of Operations and Analytics and Vice Dean of Faculty

Kristelia García

Professor of Law | Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

Carole Gresenz

Dean, McCourt School of Public Policy (SLE)

Qiwei He

Provost’s Distinguished Associate Professor

Andrea Headley

Associate Professor
Faculty Director, Evidence for Justice Lab

Thessalia Merivaki

Associate Teaching Professor

Amy O’Hara

Research Professor
Director, Georgetown Federal Statistical Research Data Center

Sejin Paik

Main Campus Research – Assistant Research Professor

Jake Pasner

Assistant Research Professor

Giulia Pullano

Postdoctoral Associate

Bogdan Raita

Assistant Professor

Elissa Redmiles

Assistant Professor

Toni-Lee Sangastiano

Associate Professor of the Practice and Digital Media Specialist
Digital Media Specialist Department of Art and Art History, Medical Humanities Core Faculty

Lisa Singh

Professor | Chair, Department of Computer Science

Ioannis Ziogas

Assistant Teaching Professor/ MDI Assistant Research Professor
Associate Director of the Data Science for Public Policy

Past and Present Research Partners