Dr. Ramchandra Rimal, Department of Mathematics, will briefly discuss research that synthesizes advanced statistical network modeling and deep learning (DL) to analyze complex datasets in financial and medical domains. We’ll begin by exploring the theoretical foundations of statistical network analysis, including the Popularity Adjusted Block Model (PABM) and Sparse Subspace Clustering (SSC), for enhanced community detection in heterogeneous networks. We will then transition to the application of various DL architectures for sequential data modeling. The talk will conclude by highlighting the fundamental trade-off between maximizing model precision and maintaining interpretability, which is a common challenge across the fields.

Click here for the discussion.

In this panel discussion, three CDS students will share their experiences securing internships during the summer of 2025. Abigail Kelly worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Yousef Khaliq at Experian, and Yuan Chen at the EDF Innovation Lab. Each of them made strong contributions and was well-received by their host organizations, demonstrating the value our students bring to industry and research settings. The purpose of the session is to provide insight and guidance for other students who are interested in pursuing internships, which can often serve as a pathway to full-time employment. Importantly, internships are not limited to private companies, nor are they restricted to domestic students.  Click here to hear the discussion.

Data Science at Middle Tennessee State University is thrilled to announce three new courses, each offering unique topics in one of today’s most important and fast-evolving fields. These courses are designed to not only expand students’ technical skills but also deepen their critical thinking and global awareness. Whether you’re a first-year student exploring data for the first time or an upper-level student looking to expand your horizons, there’s something new and exciting waiting for you. 

DATA 1010 – Using Artificial Intelligence in Action 
Launching in Fall 2025, Using Artificial Intelligence in Action is a forward-thinking course designed to help students make sense of the tools and technologies shaping our future. This course introduces the core principles and real-world applications of artificial intelligence (AI), while also encouraging students to critically evaluate the benefits and challenges of using AI-based tools. From understanding how AI systems work to analyzing their social and ethical implications, students will walk away with a clearer view of how AI impacts our lives and how to engage with it responsibly. DATA 1010 satisfies the scientific literacy (explorations) requirement in the True Blue Core and is ideal for students who want to explore AI without needing a technical background. 

DATA 2025 – Communicating with Data 
Officially launched in Fall 2024, Communicating with Data is a foundational course in MTSU’s True Blue Core curriculum. This class is designed to help students understand and articulate data in ways that are meaningful across academic, personal, and professional contexts. Students explore the fundamentals of working with data—interpreting trends, identifying patterns, and building narratives that are both compelling and accurate. The course also addresses the increasingly relevant ethical considerations surrounding the use of data in society. With its focus on non-written communication, DATA 2025 is a perfect fit for students from any major who want to become more data-literate and effective communicators in today’s information-rich world. 

DATA 4840 – Study Abroad / Study Away 
For students looking to take their education beyond the classroom, DATA 4840 – Study Abroad provides an immersive learning experience that places data science in a global context. Whether through international study abroad or domestic study away, this course explores how economic, cultural, social, and political factors influence the data landscape in different parts of the world. Students gain hands-on exposure to how data is collected, interpreted, and applied across diverse settings—enhancing not only their academic understanding but also their cultural competence and adaptability. This course is a valuable opportunity for students to deepen their global awareness while applying their skills in real-world environments. 

With these three courses—Communicating with Data, Using Artificial Intelligence in Action, and Study Abroad—MTSU continues to demonstrate its commitment to making data science accessible, relevant, and deeply connected to the world around us. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or looking to take your skills to the next level, these new courses offer exciting new ways to explore what it means to think, work, and live in a data-driven world. Keep an eye on your course catalog and speak with your advisor—because the future of data is here, and it starts with you! 

John Wallin, CDS Program, MTSU.

In the last 3 years, we have seen unprecedented progress in the capabilities of large language models.  Over the summer, there have been significant improvements in the mathematical capabilities of LLMs, with two models achieving gold medal status on the International Math Olympiad. There has also been rapid progress in the development of semi-autonomous coding systems and agentic AI.   In this talk, I will focus on these two developments and the impact they have on problems within Computational and Data Science.  I will also talk about some of the impacts AI is having on our academic programs, and some of the more interesting research results on how LLMs work.

Click here to listen

Internships are vital experiences for students. Seventeen data science students interned with non-profit organizations through the Christy Houston Foundation. Other students interned with organizations such as the MTSU Agriculture Department, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Experian. Read some of their experiences.

Pallavi Suram interned in the Agricultural Department at MTSU.

“This summer, I served as a Research Assistant in the Soil Science Research Lab at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), working under the supervision of Dr. Samuel Haruna in the Stark Agriculture building. My work was at the intersection of Geospatial AI, Data Science, and Environmental Research, with a focus on analyzing and visualizing soil science datasets. I contributed to projects involving soil moisture analysis, land classification, and remote sensing, applying indices such as NDVI and NDWI to understand vegetation and water patterns better.

Alongside this, I received direct training in SAS (Statistical Analysis System) and supported the integration of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) into the lab’s research workflows. I also expanded my skills as a Geospatial AI Specialist, building predictive models and interactive dashboards using tools such as GeoPandas, Rasterio, Google Earth Engine, Streamlit, and Tableau. This internship has strengthened my technical expertise and research skills, while also deepening my interest in applying data science to agricultural and environmental challenges.

Myles Ikhalia had the opportunity to serve as a data analyst intern at Mindful Care which is a nonprofit organization in Murfreesboro that provides support for individuals living with Alzheimer’s and Dementia.

“The internship was a valuable experience that allowed me to apply my data skills in a real-world business setting, especially through working with Microsoft Excel. My supervisor, Cindi Thomas, and her assistant, Jamie, tasked me with organizing patient data as well as financial information for the organization. I enjoyed helping to streamline their data and gain insights from the datasets I worked with. Because I worked in the same room as the patients, I also had the chance to observe them engaging in activities firsthand, which created a lively and meaningful atmosphere that reminded me of the direct human impact behind the work I was doing.

During my internship, I also had the privilege of meeting Bill Hawkins, who is a board member of Mindful Care and later became my mentor. He taught me practical skills in data management and file organization, which are highly valuable as I pursue a career in data analytics.

Overall, my internship at Mindful Care was quite a meaningful experience. It gave me the chance not only to develop technical skills in data handling but also to contribute to an organization making a difference in people’s lives. I am grateful for the mentorship I received and for the opportunity to be part of their community.”

Anastasia Sidorova worked for “A Soldier’s Child Foundation”.

 “This was a valuable experience that allowed me to understand the organization’s goals and apply what I had learned from my classes in a real-world setting. I cleaned, formatted, and validated datasets to support campaign analysis. I also analyzed email campaign metrics using data visualization tools to optimize outreach strategies. I would really recommend going through this experience, because this opportunity provided me with real-world experience, and I got to meet many great people!”

Yuan Chen interned at EDF US Innovation Lab.

“This summer I began my internship at EDF US Innovation Lab, where I have the chance to connect what I’ve learned at MTSU with real-world research. My coursework in data science, mathematics, and computing gave me a solid foundation, and this internship has shown me how those skills can be applied to cutting-edge problems. In particular, I am working on Variational Quantum Algorithms (VQAs), which are hybrid quantum-classical methods that can be applied to tackle some problems in the field of partial differential equations. It has been exciting to see how theory from the classroom translates into practice, and how the work I’m doing contributes to larger research in energy and emerging technologies.

At EDF, I’m not only building my technical skills but also learning how to collaborate in a professional research environment. I’ve explored both optimization strategies and numerical modeling techniques. Most importantly, this experience has given me a clearer sense of how data science and quantum computing can come together to solve meaningful problems. I’m grateful to my professors and mentors at MTSU for preparing me for this opportunity, and to EDF Innovation Lab for giving me the chance to grow and learn in such an inspiring setting.”

We are excited to announce the recipients of the prestigious Steve and Kathy Anderson Scholarship for the 2025–2026 academic year! This highly competitive scholarship recognizes outstanding students in the MTSU Data Science program who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, passion for data science, and a commitment to making a meaningful impact here at MTSU. Each recipient receives a $3,000 award to support their continued studies and growth in the upcoming academic year.

This year’s scholarship winners include both undergraduate and graduate students, reflecting the broad talent and dedication across all levels of our MTSU data science programs. Congratulations to Brittany Fetterman, Nicodemus Gabel, and Zach Burgess! These students stood out among their peers for their strong academic performance, involvement in the MTSU data science community, and potential for future contributions to the industry. We are proud of their accomplishments and can’t wait to see the exciting work they’ll pursue in the coming year.

MTSU Data Science is committed to supporting student success and cultivating future leaders in data science. We are extremely grateful for the generosity of Steve and Kathy Anderson. Because of the Steve and Kathy Anderson Scholarship, our students are able to focus more fully on their education, research, and professional development. Please join us in congratulating Brittany, Nicodemus, and Zach on this well-deserved recognition!

The Spring End-of-Year Spotlight Alumni Event for the MTSU Data Science programs is a celebration of student achievement, alumni success, and the strength of our MTSU data science community. In April, current students, alumni, faculty, and staff gathered to network, socialize and recognize this year’s achievements. 

The highlight of this event is the focus on 5 Spotlight MTSU Data Science alumni. Each alumnus is a perfect example of the various career paths one can take with a degree in data science, and they all had unique and insightful perspectives to share. Andrea DuBois (class of 2024) shared how she built the data infrastructure at MCT Group and leads IT projects involving AWS, Snowflake, and predictive modeling. Armia Habib (class of 2022) described his role at One to One Health, where he builds AI-powered tools and live dashboards to support medical teams. Devin Hill (class of 2023), who pivoted from a decade in heavy machinery, now serves as a Data/AI Engineer at Booz Allen Hamilton and contributes to cutting-edge R&D projects in space technology. Rob Mepham (class of 2022) chronicled his rapid growth at American Family Insurance, progressing from intern to full Data Scientist. Ryan Tran (class of 23) highlighted his work at Bridgestone Americas, where he designs cloud-based ETL systems and monitoring tools using AWS technologies. Thanks to these alumni, this event was more than a celebration; it was a bridge between past and present, connecting students with alumni who once sat in the same classrooms.

To end the year, we also showcased current students that participated in the prestigious Christy Houston Foundation internships. These paid data science internships allow our students to apply their data science skills to real-world data while also supporting local non-profit organizations. Finally, we announced the 3 data science students who each received the $3,000 Steve and Kathy Anderson Scholarship!

From insightful conversations to networking opportunities, the annual Data Science Spotlight Alumni Event is the perfect way to celebrate the end of another academic year while also looking forward to the exciting possibilities ahead. We are grateful for the continued support from our MTSU Data Science alumni and their willingness to return, share their journeys, and invest in the next generation of MTSU Data Science students!