WKU News

The Western Kentucky University Applied Center for Data Science and the Applied Research and Technology Program are hosting the Third Annual Data Science Day on Thursday (April 11).  

Dr. Mahdi Yazdanpour of Northern Kentucky University will present a plenary talk from 4:15-5:15 p.m. in Ogden College Hall Auditorium, room 1006.  Dr. Yazdanpour will talk about how the human brain can directly interface with electromechanical devices through the use of deep-learning algorithms.

Data Science Day will feature industrial and student presentations from 1:40-4 p.m. in Snell Hall, room 1102. Presenters from industry and government are Beth Rogers, a Senior Manager of Data Science at Bath & Body Works; JC Watkins from the Kentucky APEX Accelerator and the Kentucky Science & Technology Corporation; Data4All Podcaster Charlie Yielding; and WKU graduate Cameron White, Dollar General Corp.  

Rogers will describe her career path which includes moving from a top marine biology lab to a brain imaging research center to a cave research program to a leader in corporate industry. Watkins will present on post-graduation opportunities for data scientists across various industries, the federal government and with firms that service departments of the government.  White will talk about what experienced data scientists do if their data set is not large and comprehensive or there is too much data.

Student presenters include graduate students Nima Esmaeilzadeh and Shake Ibna Abir, Gatton Academy students Luna Asbell and Katie Isaacs, and undergraduates Jack Galloway and Cheyla Ferguson. Galloway and Ferguson 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_2024.php

Contact: Dr. Richard Schugart, richard.schugart@wku.edu