MCS Division Seminar: Transforming Institutional Practices through Inclusive Undergraduate Research in Data Science and Emerging Technologies for Solving the Grand Challenges

The Mathematical, Computing, and Statistical Sciences (MCS) Division is hosting a presentation and conversation with Padhu Seshaiyer, one of this year's MCS Faculty Mentor awardees entitled Transforming Institutional Practices through Inclusive Undergraduate Research in Data Science and Emerging Technologies for Solving the Grand Challenges.

Undergraduate research experiences are foundational to expanding economic prosperity, international competitiveness, and building a diverse and inclusive scientific workforce in the United States. While higher education institutions across the country have been focusing on incorporating data science into a wide range of undergraduate and graduate curricula (from business to healthcare and social sciences) through co-curricular pathways, course-based experiences, and degree programs, there is a great need (and opportunity) for developing undergraduate research programs within institutions in data science and emerging technologies to address the societal challenges. In this presentation, we will discuss educational structures, didactic frameworks, brainstorming strategies, and technology tools to engage students in undergraduate research in data science and emerging technologies. Several examples of research will be presented that have not only helped diverse students to both scientifically and professionally grow, but also become change agents for helping transform institutional practices, policies and pathways to address the grand challenges in the society.