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 for the MDI Scholars Fall 2024 Program

Applications for the Fall 2024 Cohort of the MDI Scholars Program are open. Priority Deadline: Friday, June 21st. We will accept applications until Monday, July 15, 2024 at 11:59pm Eastern.

Apply Here

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.

Rebecca Ansell (She/Her)

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Computer Science ’25

Sunaina Bakshi Kathpalia (She/Her)

McCourt School of Public Policy, Data Science for Public Policy ’25

Vagdevi Bandaru (She/Her)

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Computer Science ’25

Binhui Chen (She/Her)

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Data Science and Analytics ’25

Aastha Jha (She/Her)

McCourt School of Public Policy, Data Science for Public Policy ’25

Shun Liu (He/Him)

McCourt School of Public Policy, Data Science for Public Policy ’25

Yixin Luo (She/Her)

McCourt School of Public Policy, Data Science for Public Policy and Health Analytics’25

William McGloin (He/Him)

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Data Science and Analytics ’25

Katherine Merrill (She/Her)

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Computer Science ’27

Varun Patel (He/Him)

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Data Science and Analytics ’25

Gabriel Soto (He/Him)

McCourt School of Public Policy, Data Science for Public Policy ’25

Quan Yuan (She/Her)

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Data Science and Analytics ’25

Spring 2024 Scholar Showcase Posters

MDI Scholars presented their research projects to faculty, classmates, and community members during the MDI Scholars Research Showcase.

explore the posters

Spring 2024 MDI Scholars

MDI is excited to welcome the Spring 2024 Cohort of the MDI Scholars Program.

read more

Past MDI Scholars

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

see more

Research Advisors

Maria Alva (She/Her)

Department of Health Management and Policy, Assistant Professor

Michael Bailey (He/Him)

Department of Government and McCourt School of Public Policy, Colonel William J. Walsh Professor

Shweta Bansal (She/Her)

Department of Biology, Provost’s Distinguished Associate Professor

Robin Dillon-Merrill (She/Her)

McDonough School of Business Operations and Analytics, Professor and Area Head

Eric Gianella (He/Him)

McCourt School of Public Policy, Associate Research Professor

Qiwei “Britt” He (She/Her)

Program in Data Analytics, Associate Professor

Sebastian Jilke(He/Him)

McCourt School of Public Policy, Provost’s Distinguished Associate Professor

Donald Moynihan (He/Him)

McCourt Chair and Professor at the McCourt School of Public Policy

Giulia Pullano (She/Her)

Postdoctoral Associate

Amy O’Hara (She/Her)

Director of Georgetown Federal Statistical Research Data Center
MDI, Research Professor

Lisa Singh (She/Her)

Director, Massive Data Institute
Sonneborn Chair | Chair and Professor, Department of Computer Science | Professor, McCourt School of Public Policy

Stephanie Straus (She/Her)

Massive Data Institute, Policy Fellow

Research Partner Organizations