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.

Now accepting applications for the Fall 2025 MDI Scholars Program

Apply now to join the Fall 2025 MDI Scholars cohort. Priority deadline: Friday July 18, 2025

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.

Ryann Alonso

McCourt School of Public Policy, Master of Public Policy ’26

Katherine Arkin

Georgetown College, Mathematics and Computer Science ’26

Stacy Che

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

Victor Chen

Georgetown College, Computer Science ’27

Izzy Coddington

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

Gabriella Cova

McCourt School of Public Policy, Master of Public Policy ’26

Henry Deng

Georgetown College, Computer Science and Mathematics, Economics Minor ’26

Sophia Dorr

Georgetown College, 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 College, Computer Science & Mathematics ’27

Ibadat Jarg

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

Avand Lakmazaheri

Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences, Communication, Culture & Technology ’26

Aliza Lifshitz

McCourt School of Public Policy, Master of Public Policy ’26

Muhammad Saad

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

Saanvi Shashikiran

Georgetown College, Computer Science and Psychology, Minor in Mathematics ’27

Yuxi Shen

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

Hexuan “Judy” Wang

Georgetown College, Political Economics and Studio Art ’27

Yiming Wu

McCourt School of Public Policy, Master of 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.

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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 and Operations and Analytics Area Chair

Kristelia García

Professor of Law

Qiwei He

Provost’s Distinguished Associate Professor

Andrea Headley

Assistant 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

Postdoctoral Associate – Main Campus

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
Digital Media Specialist Department of Art and Art History, Medical Humanities Core Faculty

Lisa Singh

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

Stephanie Straus

Policy Fellow
McCourt School of Public Policy

Ioannis Ziogas

Assistant Teaching Professor/ MDI Assistant Research Professor

Past and Present Research Partners