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University: 91��Ƭ�S�ϼ�
Area of Study: Statistical Science and Political Science

I am Mara Alt. I am a junior at 91��Ƭ�S�ϼ� majoring in Statistical Science and Political Science. I love creative writing and am working on writing a book. I am super excited to be involved with this program. I hope to use the data that we have to help people and make the world a better place. 

University: College of Wooster
Area of Study: Statistical and Data Sciences, Earth Science and Spanish

Hi! My name is Laurel Andrews, and I am a rising senior at the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio. I am majoring in Statistical and Data Sciences and minoring in both Earth Science and Spanish. I grew up in Santa Cruz, California. On campus, I am a member of my school’s ultimate frisbee team and dance company as well as being president and a trip leader for the campus outdoors club. In my free time I enjoy going hiking and camping outside. I also love to cook, crochet, and sew my own clothes. I am very excited to participate in this REU to gain firsthand experience of research I hope to pursue in the future. I look forward to learning methods for how data science can be used to promote real, positive change in the world!

University: Northwestern University
Area of Study: Psychology, Environmental Sciences, and Data Science

Hello! I’m Madeleine Bagnall, and I’m a rising senior at Northwestern University studying Psychology, Environmental Sciences, and Data Science. My previous work has focused on applying Python and QGIS/ArcGIS to improve the accessibility of environmental data and trends to researchers as well as community stakeholders. In my free time, I am also heavily engaged in the Theatre for Young Audiences scene at Northwestern: I am the incoming president for Seesaw Theatre, a student theatre company focused on creating multi-sensory interactive theatre for young audiences in the Evanston community, and have performed in or produced all six of their productions since I arrived on campus. In my spare time, I also play guitar, sing, and song-write, as well as crochet, scope out local gardens/parks, and play video games! With SMU’s REU, I look forward to formally solidifying my data science skills, to increase access of the public to key information to further the health of the planet and the people on it.

University: Winona State University
Area of Study: Statistics and Data Science

Hello, my name is Jacob Gareis. I am from Minnesota and am a rising senior at Winona State University, majoring in Statistics & Data Science. Within Statistics & Data Science, I am specifically interested in applying them to solve real world issues, particularly related to economic policy and social issues. Beyond academics, I am involved in campus life. I serve in the student senate and act as a dean’s advisor for the College of Science and Engineering. Through this program, I hope to gain practical experience in applying statistics to economic and social issues and receive mentorship from faculty with expertise in these areas.

University: University of Denver
Area of Study: Mathematics and Japanese

Hi! I'm Janelyn Geronimo and I was born and raised in Hawaii. I am a rising senior at the University of Denver and am double majoring in mathematics and Japanese and minoring in history. In my free time I enjoy reading books, writing, cooking, and singing. I am very excited to be a part of this REU and hope to learn a lot about data science and how it can be applied in research projects for the sake of social good. 

University: Rice University
Area of Study: Computer Science and Data Science

Hey! I’m Maya Katz, and I’m from Richardson, Texas. I go to Rice University, where I will graduate in May 2025 with a major in Computer Science and a minor in Data Science. My interests are drawing fashion sketches and reading some great mystery novels with my two cats. I appreciate the amazing opportunity this REU gives me to apply my computer science skills to study social issues in DFW and other metro areas. There are many specific barriers that stop people from accessing the city’s resources, and I hope that my research at SMU helps to inform policies on how to remove those barriers.

University: Texas Woman's University
Area of Study: Computer Science, Math and Data Science

Hi, my name is Lily! I'm from Gainesville, Texas and I am a computer science major at Texas Woman's University with minors in math and data science. Outside of school, I volunteer at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, a bird sanctuary in North Texas, tutor college freshmen in math and programming, and work at TWU ID Services fixing pesky doors and card readers. My favorite hobbies are eating delicious food and listening to the blues. This REU will be my first time doing academic research, and I'm so excited to contribute to an incredible cause for the people of Dallas.

University: Boston College

Area of Study: Politcal Science and Enironmental Science

 

I am Samuel King, and I am a rising senior at Boston College, hailing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I am a political science and environmental studies major with a concentration in climate change and societal adaptation. Outside of classes, I am the captain of the men’s club ultimate team and work for Boston College’s Campus Recreation. As someone with a background  largely grounded in the social sciences, I appreciate the opportunity to learn both the intellectual framework and hard skills that data science can provide to help me advance my own work.

University: University of Missouri-Columbia
Area of Study: Economics, Mathematics, and Statistics

Hello! My name is John Martin, and I am a rising senior at the University of Missouri - Columbia majoring in Mathematics, Economics, and Statistics. On campus, I am involved with the University of Missouri Economics Society where I have served as both President and VP of Public Relations. I am a Peer Learning Assistant for an Intro to Macroeconomics course and also tutor high school and college students in mathematics. This past year I had the opportunity to be a TRIO McNair Scholar, a program whose goal is to empower first-generation and minority undergraduates to pursue graduate education. Beyond school, I love to keep up with sports (MIZ!) such as basketball and football. I also enjoy playing basketball, tennis, pickleball, and disc golf — although my skills in the classroom far outpace my skills on the court/field. I am the 8th of 9 in my family and am incredibly grateful for the influence each of them has had on me. Longterm, I hope to pursue a PhD in economics and apply my data skills as well as my own unique experience to substantively impact social and economic issues. As such, I am incredibly honored and grateful to SMU for allowing me to participate in this REU — I cannot wait to see how our work can impact the Dallas community and beyond!

University: University of Texas at Dallas
Area of Study: Computer Engineering

My name is Tristan Vathis, and I am going to be a junior at the University of Texas at Dallas, majoring in Computer Engineering. I am passionate about reading, learning new languages, and enjoying music in my free time. On campus, I am actively involved with the Japanese Club and the Philosophy Club, where I engage in discussions and activities that broaden my cultural and intellectual horizons. I am thrilled to join this REU program, where I hope to leverage my engineering skills and interests to contribute to meaningful research. I'm excited to collaborate with peers and mentors to explore how technology can be used to solve real-world problems and make a positive impact.

University: University of Pittsburgh
Area of Study: Economics, Psychology and Applied Statistics

I am a rising senior at the University of Pittsburgh where I'm majoring in economics and psychology with an applied statistics minor. At Pitt, I serve as the president of the Behavioral Economics Club, a member of the Student Government Board, and sit on the Student Civic Engagement Council.  I also hold research positions at the Learning Imaging and Family Experience (LIFE) Lab and Pittsburgh Experimental Economics Laboratory (PEEL) and have interned in local, state, and federal government during college. In my free time, I enjoy being outside, staying active, and painting birds. This summer, I’m excited to learn how to harness data science and analytics methods to develop interdisciplinary solutions to social problems, specifically surrounding economic inequality.

University: University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Area of Study: Economics and Political Science

My name is Erin Yenawine and I from Hopkinton, Massachusetts. I am a rising junior at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga majoring in economics and political science. I love traveling, and spend time reading, trying new food, and spending time with friends outside of school and work. This summer, I am excited to learn new technical skills, and have the opportunity to engage with peers and faculty on critical and interesting social topics.