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.

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.

Raunak Advani (He/Him)

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Data Science and Analytics ’24

Corrina Calanoc (She/Her)

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Data Science and Analytics ’24

Haiyang Chen (He/Him)

McCourt School of Public Policy, Data Science for Public Policy ’24

Alicia Gopal (She/Her)

Georgetown College, Political Economy ’25

Amanda Hao (She/Her)

Walsh School of Foreign Service, Science, Technology, International Affairs ’26

Brian Holland (He/Him)

McCourt School of Public Policy, Data Science for Public Policy ’24

Roy Hwang (He/Him)

Georgetown College, Computer Science ’25

Zhiqiang Ji (He/Him)

McCourt School of Public Policy, Data Science for Public Policy ’24

Himangshu Kumar (He/Him)

McCourt School of Public Policy, Data Science for Public Policy ’24

Andrew Lee (He/Him)

Walsh School of Foreign Service, Science, Technology, International Affairs ’24

Xinyu Li (She/Her)

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Data Science and Analytics ’24

Kate Liggio (She/Her)

Georgetown College, Computer Science ’24

Madhvi Malhotra (She/Her)

McCourt School of Public Policy, Data Science for Public Policy ’24

Bernardo Medeiros (He/Him)

Georgetown College, Computer Science & Government ’24

Anthony Moubarak (He/Him)

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Data Science and Analytics ’24

Julia Nonnenkamp (She/Her)

Georgetown College, Computer Science & Mathematics ’24

Rich Pihlstrom (He/Him)

McCourt School of Public Policy, Data Science Science and Analytics ’25
Georgetown College, Computer Science ’24

Minh Quach (He/Him)

McCourt School of Public Policy, Data Science for Public Policy ’24

Jamie Spoeri (She/Her)

Georgetown College, Computer Science ’25

Maggie Sullivan (She/Her)

McCourt School of Public Policy, Data Science for Public Policy ’24

Fanni Varhelyi (She/Her)

McCourt School of Public Policy, Data Science for Public Policy ’24

Linlin Wang (She/Her)

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Data Science and Analytics ’24

Jason Yi (He/Him)

Georgetown College, Computer Science ’26

Kefan Yu (He/Him)

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Data Science and Analytics ’24

Spring 2023 Scholar Showcase Posters

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

explore the posters

MDI Scholars’ Featured Research

MDI Scholars reflect on the research they have done, the real-world impact these projects have, and the lessons they have learned.

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

Evan Barba (He/Him)

Department of Communication Culture and Technology, Associate Professor

NaLette Brodnax (She/Her)

McCourt School of Public Policy, Assistant Professor

Rebecca Johnson (She/Her)

McCourt School of Public Policy, Assistant Professor

Amy O’Hara (She/Her)

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

Lisa Singh (She/Her)

Director of MDI
Department of Computer Science, Professor

Nathan Wycoff (He/Him)

MDI Post Doctoral Fellow

Research Partner Organizations