UVA Data Points

In this episode, we explore the future of artificial intelligence through the lens of policy, ethics, and governance; examining how this rapidly evolving technology is reshaping society and the responsibilities that come with it. Joining the conversation are Renée Cummings, Professor of Practice in Data Science and a leading voice in AI ethics, and Mona Sloane, Assistant Professor of Data Science...

Interested in what a career in data science can look like? Here, we’re joined by two members of the School of Data Science Advisory Board: Heidi Lanford, co-founder of NavAlytix AI and former Chief Data Officer at Fitch Group, and Kane Geyer, Principal at PwC and most recently the leader of the U.S. and Global Chief Data Office. In conversation with Reggie Leonard from UVA’s School of Data Science...

In this episode of UVA Data Points, we explore the rapidly evolving world of digital brain twins; personalized, data-driven models of the brain that could revolutionize medicine and neuroscience. Joining the conversation are two leading experts: Dr. Randy McIntosh , a pioneer in brain network analysis, and Dr. Emiliano Ricciardi , an expert in cognitive neuroscience and neuroimaging. Together, wit...

Would you be able to recognize the subtle red flags that someone is being controlled, exploited, or groomed? In this conversation, we will dive into the complexities of understanding human trafficking and the role AI is playing to help law enforcement identify traffickers and their victims. Our guests are Kimberly Adams, who leads the strategic architecture of AINA Tech, and Shweta Jain, AINA’s Co...

In this episode, we explore data governance in the humanitarian sector. Our guests are Massimo Marelli , Head of the Data Protection Office at the International Committee of the Red Cross, and Ana Beduschi , a Professor of Law and Strategic Lead on the Fair and Inclusive Society at the Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (IDSAI) at the University of Exeter. The conversation is l...

Here we explore the intersections of data, art, and storytelling. Our guest, Nathalie Miebach, is an internationally-recognized data artist and the School of Data Science’s inaugural Artist-in-Residence. Using materials like reed and paper, she transforms complex datasets into woven sculptures and musical scores, inviting us to view and even hear data in new ways. Joining her is Alex Gates, assist...

In this episode, we explore how data science is helping researchers simulate and understand some of the most extreme physical events on Earth, from floods in Texas to hypersonic flight. Our guests are Stephen Baek, a leading expert in geometric deep learning and associate professor of data science at the University of Virginia, and Jack Beerman, a Ph. D. student whose work is already shaping real-...

Here we dive into one of the most timely and important topics in tech: Trustworthy AI . What does it really mean for artificial intelligence to be “trustworthy”? And why should it matter to you? To help us unpack these questions, we’re joined by Farhana Faruqe , a data scientist, researcher, and entrepreneur, specializing in research related to Trustworthy AI, and Dr. Larry Medsker , a leading exp...

In this episode, we’re diving into a fascinating intersection of cutting-edge science and data innovation. As technology continues to evolve, researchers are increasingly turning to brain organoids, (miniature, lab-grown models of the human brain) to unravel some of the most complex mysteries of neuroscience. We’re joined by three brain organoid experts: Thomas Hartung , Professor of Environmental...

Explore how entrepreneurship and innovation can intersect with public service to drive meaningful impact. Join Dean Philip Bourne and the UVA School of Data Science community for an inspiring conversation with Arun Gupta, CEO of the NobleReach Foundation and author of  Venture Meets Mission .  Drawing from his extensive experience, Gupta will share insights on creating ventures with a mission-driv...

In this episode, we welcome you to the   2025 Women in Data Science Charlottesville event hosted at the University of Virginia School of Data Science.   WiDS Charlottesville seeks to increase the participation of women in data science and feature outstanding women doing outstanding work. Leading the conversation is Lisa Bowers, a former executive with Genentech/Roche and current director of UVA’s...

Here we explore how data science is revolutionizing our understanding of protein structures , with a special focus on the exciting developments in protein folding and evolution. We’re joined by two experts in the field: Philip Bourne , the founding dean of the UVA School of Data Science, and Cam Mura , a biomolecular data scientist. From new tools like DeepUrfold to the future of biomedical applic...

UVA School of Data Science grad uates pursue many career paths, including government, health care, technology, retail, and . .. finance . I n this episode, we hear from two UVA d ata s cience alumni who put their d ata s cience degrees to work every day in their roles at Octus , a financial services company that uses data to provide insights to its clients in banking and legal services. They discu...

One of the most pressing challenges in our increasingly data-driven world is the Data Deluge—the overwhelming flood of information that we generate and record every single day. With us are three experts from the University of Virginia’s School of Data Science. Phil Bourne, a professor of biomedical engineering and the founding dean of the school of data science, is joined by Terence Johnson and Al...

M any of us look forward to our Spotify wrapped at the end of the year. It's fun to see your whole year in m usic reflected back to you in the for m of auras and m oods and, of course, ranked lists, all powered by the cold, hard data of our listening habits. But there's so m uch m ore data available to visualize as art. That's what our guest, Pete Cybriwsky does. Pete is an entrepreneur and an awa...

In recent elections, the rise of misleading content—ranging from manipulated images to false narratives—has sparked growing concerns about misinformation and disinformation. How does this wave of deceptive content deepen political divides, shape voter perceptions, and erode trust? And what does it mean for our access to reliable information? Last month, the UVA Karsh Institute of Democracy and the...

Data science is an incredibly diverse and global field of study and practice. In order to tackle some of our most challenging issues ranging from climate change to cognition, we need data and data scientists from all over the world to make advances in research, technology and innovation. To talk about their research interests and the importance of having diverse, global perspectives in the field o...

The UVA School of Data Science was formed in September 2019 and has since grown in its collaborations, partnerships, program offerings, and teaching and research personnel. We are now constructing a new facility that will house the School of Data Science at the University of Virginia. The new building is in the first phase of development and, once complete, will link the University's Central Groun...

In his new book, The AI Playbook: Mastering the Rare Art of Machine Learning Deployment , Eric Siegel offers a detailed playbook for how business professionals can launch machine learning projects, providing both success stories where private industry got it right as well as cautionary tales others can learn from. Siegel laid out the key findings of his book in our latest episode during a wide-ran...

This panel delves into how the faculty at UVA's School of Data Science are actively working to craft a liberal arts curriculum suitable for the digital age, one that not only adapts to but embraces changes in technology and practice. The panel discusses the future of data science education, including in K-12, the school’s guiding philosophy for its undergraduate and graduate programs (minor, B.S.,...

Because of advances in machine learning, wearable technology, and computer vision, the field of sport analytics is a whole new game. This episode gets into the details on what is new, the impact of analytics and technology on athletes and sports, as well as the ethics surrounding its implementation. Three experts from the University of Virginia School of Data Science met to discuss this exciting t...

Artificial intelligence has the potential to change our societies, economies, and political systems in both intentional and unintended ways. While it is difficult to understand the full extent of what the long-term impacts may be, we have enough shared knowledge and expertise to predict the likely shapes that these changes may take—both for better and for worse. More importantly, we should ask our...

The latest episode of UVA Data Points features Don Brown, the senior associate dean for research at the School of Data Science, and professor Bill Basener as they discuss remote sensing, which is the process of collecting data about an object without contacting it. The discussion traces the history of remote sensing, its many applications, and the challenges involved in gathering accurate informat...

This episode is a collaboration between UVA Data Points and Hoos in STEM . This episode of UVA Data Points features Ken Ono discussing the growth of data science at UVA and its increasing importance in various disciplines, including how he uses it to help swimmers improve performance. Ono is a professor of mathematics and STEM advisor to the provost, as well as a professor of data science by court...

Excavating the Mother Lode of Human-Generated Text: A Systematic Review of Research That Uses the Wikipedia Corpus