College of Education and Behavioral Sciences News
WKU hosts fourth annual Data Science Day
- WKU Applied Center for Data Science
- Tuesday, April 8th, 2025
The Western Kentucky University Applied Center for Data Science and the Applied Research Technology Program are hosting the Fourth Annual Data Science Day today, Tuesday, April 8.
There will be two plenary talks. The first will be by Dr. Prasanna Balaprakash, Director of AI Programs and Distinguished Staff Scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The title of Dr. Balaprakash's talk is "Overview of Oak Ridge National Laboratory's AI Initiative: Advancing Secure, Trustworthy, and Energy-Efficient AI at Scale for Scientific Discovery." The second is by Dr. Jesse Spencer-Smith, Associate Dean for Partnerships and Innovation and Chief Data Scientist and Interim Director of the Data Science Institute at Vanderbilt University. The title of Dr. Spencer-Smith's talk is "AI and the New Frontiers of Data Science." Dr. Balaprakash's remote talk is at 1:30 p.m., while Dr. Spencer-Smith's talk is at 6 p.m. Both talks are in Snell Hall 1108.
There will also be a number of general session industrial and student presentations from 2:30-6:00 p.m. in Snell Hall 1108. Jeffrey Sumner will talk about his career journal from WKU to Bath & Body Works at 2:30 p.m. Dr. Belinda Petri will talk about her bioinformatics work at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. Dr. Alex Lebedinsky will discuss the new data science programs at WKU at 4 PM. Peter Agaba of Mass General Brigham will talk about using data science to aid in hypertension diagnosis. Kahlil Garmon will discuss how the Innovation Campus and the Regional Technology Council helped him start his company, Moneybot, at 5:20 p.m.
The students presentations are by graduate students Michael Seavers, Samir Pahari, Victor Aham, Mahamad Sayab Miya, and Andrew Toussain; Gatton Academy student Vedant Garg; and undergraduates Jenna Wells, Kelly Miller, Sarah Thompson, and Cole Meador. Wells, Miller, and Meador are supported on Undergraduate Student in Data Science grants from the Applied Center for Data Science.
The schedule, including presentation abstracts, can be found at https://www.wku.edu/artp/data_science_day_2025.php.
Attendees may register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/4th-annual-data-science-day-tickets-1277380833459.
For more information, contact Richard Schugart at richard.schugart@wku.edu.
Office of the Dean
College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
1906 College Heights Blvd. #11030,
Bowling Green, KY 42101-1030
Additional Information
Make A Gift
By making a gift to support The College of Education and Behavioral Sciences Fund for Excellence, a donor shares in the proud tradition that allows the University to achieve greater distinction and serve more people each year. There are a variety of ways you can make a gift to Western Kentucky University. Such gifts make a significant impact upon the University's mission to transform the lives of our students, our Hill, our community and beyond while allowing you the personal satisfaction of supporting WKU.