McCourt School of Public Policy
Massive Data Institute
Massive Data Institute

MDI Scholars

Launched in 2019, the MDI Scholars program is a research-oriented experiential learning opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students across campus. These students work with faculty, researchers, and practitioners to engage in interdisciplinary data science, computer science, and social science research to inform public policy.

Research

Working with faculty and partners to advance interdisciplinary research.

Skills-building

Building a community and learning new skills during deep-drive meetings through the course of the semester.

Showcase

Presenting findings and sharing research with the Georgetown community.

Current MDI Scholars

MDI Scholars work with faculty and researchers on cutting edge research projects at the intersection of technology and public policy. They are undergraduate and graduate students from across the University who form a community of young scholars advancing interdisciplinary data science and public policy research at Georgetown.

Alia Abdelkader (She/Her)

McCourt School of Public Policy, Data Science for Public Policy ’23

Caroline Adams (She/Her)

McCourt School of Public Policy, Data Science for Public Policy ’23

Didier Akilimali (He/Him)

Georgetown College, Computer Science ’23

Fiona Calcagnini (She/Her)

Georgetown College, Computer Science and Economics ’23

Yongrui Chen (He/Him)

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Data Science and Analytics ’22

Sean Conner (He/Him)

McCourt School of Public Policy, Master of Public Policy ’23

Phillip Cork (He/Him)

McCourt School of Public Policy, Data Science for Public Policy ’23

Monroe Farris (She/Her)

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Data Science and Analytics ’23

Abby Fremaux (She/Her)

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Data Science and Analytics ’23

Justin Goldstein (He/Him)

Georgetown College, Computer Science ’24

Nikhila Iyer (She/Her)

McCourt School of Public Policy, Data Science for Public Policy ’23

Ahmad Jandal (He/Him)

Walsh School of Foreign Service, Science, Technology, International Affairs ’23

Himangshu Kumar (He/Him)

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

Audrey McIntyre (She/They)

McCourt School of Public Policy, Data Science for Public Policy ’23

Ellis Obrien (He/Him)

McCourt School of Public Policy, Data Science for Public Policy ’23

Jenny Park (She/Her)

Georgetown College, Computer Science and Justice and Peace Studies ’24

Rich Pihlstrom (He/Him)

Georgetown College, Computer Science ’24

Aidan Pizzo (He/Him)

Georgetown College, Mathematics ’23

Minh Quach (He/Him)

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

Jordan Rinaldi (He/Him)

Georgetown College, Mathematics and Data Science and Analytics ’23

Ryan Ripper (He/Him)

McCourt School of Public Policy, Data Science for Public Policy ’23

Ethan Rodriguez-Shah (He/They)

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

Josh Rosen (He/Him)

McCourt School of Public Policy, Data Science for Public Policy ’23

Ethan Rosenbaum (He/Him)

McCourt School of Public Policy, Master of Public Policy ’23

Elise Rust (She/Her)

Master of Science of Data Science and Analytics ’23

Srujana Illa Sai (She/Her)

McCourt School of Public Policy, Data Science for Public Policy ’23

Hanjing Shi (She/Her)

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Data Science and Analytics ’23

Natalie Smith (She/Her)

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

Sonali Subbu Rathinam (She/Her)

McCourt School of Public Policy, Data Science for Public Policy ’23

Shaila Sundram (She/Her)

McCourt School of Public Policy, Data Science for Public Policy ’23

Fanni Varhelyi (She/Her)

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

Qihang Wang (She/Her)

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Data Science and Analytics ’23

Abigail Wolfe (She/Her)

McCourt School of Public Policy, Data Science for Public Policy ’23

Colette Yeager (She/Her)

McCourt School of Public Policy, Master of Science in Data Science for Public Policy ’23

Shakhzod Yuldoshboev (He/Him)

School of Foreign Service – Qatar, International Economics ’23

Linpei Zhang (She/Her)

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Data Science and Analytics ’23

Fall 2022 Scholar Showcase Posters

In December, 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

Past Research Advisors

Maria Alva (She/Her)

MDI Assistant Research Professor

Michael Bailey, (He/Him)

Professor and Director of the Data Science for Public Policy Program

Rebecca Johnson (She/Her)

Assistant Professor at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy

Amy O’Hara (She/Her)

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

Lisa Singh (She/Her)

Professor in the Department of Computer Science and a Research Professor in the MDI

Nathan Wycoff (He/Him)

MDI Post Doctoral Fellow

Highlighted Themes of Past Projects

Climate Change/Sustainability

Climate change is a pressing issue that affects both the ecosystem as well as our society. As environmental conditions transform, policies, laws, and government organization will have to evolve.

The Social Science and Social Media Collaborative

The abundance of data from social media presents an opportunity to understand social and political trends.

Research Partner Organizations