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Director and Professor, School of Data Science | UNC Charlotte The School of Data Science at UNC Charlotte is proud to highlight the leadership, scholarship, and impact of Dr. Dongsong Zhang, whose work continues to shape SDS as a national leader in data science education, research, and community engagement. As Director and Professor, Dr. Zhang […]

Sijia Qian, new this fall to UNC Charlotte’s School of Data Science, is blazing trails – in the classroom and her lab.  For the University’s inaugural cohort of students pursuing a Ph.D. in data science, Qian is teaching a research design course that is eliciting “aha moments” over the connection of quality design to meaningful insights from […]

When Natarajan Ravikumar arrived in the United States from India in 2010, he carried with him a vision that would later define a remarkable career at the intersection of technology, leadership, and innovation. Today, he stands as a Distinguished Technology Leader at Honeywell, celebrated globally for his transformative contributions to artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and cloud […]

For Mirsad Hadžikadić, who played a pivotal role in the school’s inception and now leads the Data Science and Business Analytics program, that mission remains as essential as ever. “The School of Data Science arose from a clearly identified need of businesses in the region to have access to a highly skilled data science talent […]

When Gokula Vijayakumar began her Master’s in Data Science and Business Analytics at UNC Charlotte, she knew she had chosen a field full of promise — one that would challenge her intellectually and inspire her professionally. Every course became a stepping stone toward mastery, sharpening her skills in modeling, visualization, analytics, and the ethical use […]

Starting his graduate journey in a new country with just $700 in his pocket, Mugilan Thiyagarajan knew the road ahead would not be easy. But through resilience, hard work, and the support of his family, he transformed challenges into achievements—culminating in his graduation this past August with a Master’s in Data Science and Business Analytics […]

When Manasa Vuppu looks back on her graduate journey at UNC Charlotte, she doesn’t just see classes and coursework — she sees transformation. This August, she graduated with her Master of Science in Data Science and Business Analytics, carrying with her a story defined by curiosity, resilience, and innovation. Originally from Hyderabad, India, Vuppu chose […]

After nearly three decades away from the classroom, Mitu Banerjee made the bold decision to return to higher education—and in August 2025, she proudly graduated with her Master’s in Health Informatics and Analytics from UNC Charlotte. Mitu began her academic journey in healthcare as a chiropractor, graduating from Logan College of Chiropractic in 1998. Over […]

When Annie Illing first stepped onto UNC Charlotte’s campus, she couldn’t have imagined just how much the university would shape her future. From internships with Fortune 500 companies to research with a women-led academic journal team, Annie embraced every opportunity to grow as a data scientist and as a leader. A Charlotte native, Annie transferred […]

Associate Professor Abbey Thomas, Ph.D., is a certified athletic trainer with a passion for studying knee injuries, a background in biomechanics, and a devotion to creating new opportunities for Charlotte’s students. This unique blend of expertise makes her the ideal fit for her new role as the co-director of the UNC Charlotte Sports Analytics program, […]

At UNC Charlotte, Mary Margaret discovered not just knowledge, but a sense of purpose—where curiosity met confidence, and ambition reached for the stars. From Davidson, NC, Mary Margaret completed both her bachelor’s in Data Science in May 2024 and her master’s in Data Science and Business Analytics in May 2025 at UNC Charlotte. She first […]

Hiza Mbela Mvuendy, a recent Spring 2025 graduate, came to UNC Charlotte from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, drawn by the university’s strong academic programs, welcoming community, and vibrant urban setting. As a student in Data Science with a minor in Sociology, he found the perfect intersection of his analytical mindset and his interest in human behavior. […]