Fatima Abdi
Augsburg University

Fatima is a student at Augsburg University, majoring in Mathematics and Data Science (B.S.). According to Fatima: “I enjoy problem-solving and working with data, but outside of academics, I spend my time traveling, gardening, exploring nature, and reading. I have a love for learning and hope to pursue my master’s degree in applied mathematics.”

Nafissatou Bahadio
Minnesota State University, Mankato

Nafissatou Bahadio is a student from Côte d’Ivoire majoring in Statistics with an actuarial science focus at Minnesota State University, Mankato. She has conducted two research projects, presenting at the Undergraduate Research Symposium in 2024 and 2025, as well as at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR). On campus, she serves as Vice President of the Statistics Club, Vice President of the Actuary Club, a Student Ambassador, and a member of the Rugby Club. She plans to pursue a career as an actuary, with interests in predictive modeling and insurance pricing. Outside of academics, she enjoys volunteering at her university’s food pantry and participating in cultural events that promote diversity and inclusion.

Michael Rosas Ceronio
University of St. Thomas

Michael Rosas Ceronio is a sophomore triple majoring in computer science, data science, and mathematics at the University of St. Thomas. In the summer of 2024, he conducted research on linguistic phenomena in Dominican Spanish, focusing on variations in liquid sounds. He also collaborated with the Chair of the Computer Science Department on web scraping projects and AI course development. Michael currently works as a tutor for computer science and statistics while assisting the department chair with research. He plans to pursue a career in artificial intelligence/machine learning.

A S M Rizwan Chowdhury
Minnesota State University, Mankato

A S M Rizwan Chowdhury is currently studying Computer Information and Technology with minor in Mathematics at Minnesota State University, Mankato. “I am passionate about data science and how you can solve real-world problems using analytics and machine learning. I have been to MinneAnalytics events in the past and have found them to be great opportunities to learn and network with people in the field. This scholarship means so much to me because it improves financial worries and allows me to concentrate more on my education and schoolwork.”

Mario Rodriguez Gomez
St. Mary’s University of Minnesota

“As a student from El Salvador, I’ve learned to approach life with ambition, gratefulness, and a burning desire to help others. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota has been the optimal place for growth and development, equipping me with the clarity and tools to pursue my goals. The pursuit of my majors in Business Intelligence & Data Analytics, Finance, and Management is rooted in my belief that real business is about being part of something greater than myself: a collective effort to uplift humanity through innovation, integrity, and sustainable progress.”

Sophia Han
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Sophia is a junior at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, majoring in Industrial and Systems Engineering. “I am passionate about data analytics and its applications in manufacturing and quality. During my co-op as a Quality Engineer at Doosan Bobcat, I analyzed five years of audit data to identify trends and optimize resource allocation. Using insights from defect distribution, I designed and implemented error-proofing systems to prevent manual assembly mistakes, further minimizing scrap and rework. Moving forward, I’m excited to continue exploring how data can drive smarter decision-making in process optimization, predictive modeling, and supply chain analysis.”

Maddie Hoepner
University of Minnesota, Duluth

Maddie is a pursuing a degree in Consumer Insights and Analytics at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. “For most of the population, numbers give one clear message—but for me, decoding them has always been a game. Growing up with dyslexia, I learned from a young age that data and numbers are more than just what you see; they need to be analyzed and rearranged in order to see their full effect. My challenges have shaped the way that I approach data analysis. I can transform data into a meaningful story that can help others see insights that they might have overlooked.”

Katie Knox
St. Catherine University

Katie is a Data Science major and the president of the Katies in Data Science and Computer Science club. She is the first to volunteer for summer high school data science camps. Just recently she organized five of her peers to enter the MinneMUDAC Data Challenge. “Receiving this generous scholarship from MinneAnalytics will allow me to further develop my skills in data science, enhancing my academic and professional growth in this ever-evolving field.”

Sambhav Lamichhane
University of St. Thomas

Sambhav is a junior at the University of St. Thomas, double majoring in Finance and Data Analytics. Originally from Nepal, his global perspective has been shaped by his journey to the U.S. and study abroad experience in London. Over the summer, he researched for the Center for Applied Mathematics, analyzing financial time series data and developing automated trading strategies using tools like Python and R-Studio. Sambhav aspires to pursue a career in quantitative or data-driven finance, leveraging analytics to drive impactful decision-making and innovation.

Van Le
University of St. Thomas

Van is double majoring in Data Analytics and Computer Science at University of St. Thomas. Academically dedicated, Van excels in foundational courses while applying her skills to real-world projects. Passionate about Formula 1 racing, Van collaborates with Tommie Motorsport to analyze race strategies and tire performance using Python. Outside class, she mentors high school students, guiding them through U.S. college applications. This July, Van will speak at a study-abroad workshop in Vietnam, sharing her experiences in Data Analytics to inspire students and parents. With a clear vision for her future, she aims to explore data-driven innovations in the automotive industry while continuing to support others in their academic journeys.

Uday Puttireddi
Minnesota State University, Mankato

Uday is majoring in Information Technology at Minnesota State University, Mankato, with a strong passion for data science and its applications in real-world problem-solving. “My interests include machine learning, data visualization, and AI-driven decision-making. I have participated in 1-2 DREAM events on campus. This scholarship will ease my financial burden and allow me to focus as I prepare to pursue a master’s degree in computer science with a focus on data science and human-computer interaction.”

Mohamed Radalla
St. Olaf College

Mohamed is a senior at St. Olaf College, majoring in Computer Science with a concentration in Statistics & Data Science. Last summer, he built on his data science skills to conduct robotics research at Carnegie Mellon University. Mohamed enjoys answering interesting questions and addressing real problems with the right blend of software engineering, statistics and data science.

Mo Rayani
Minnesota State University, Mankato

Mo is studying Information Technology with a strong interest in data science. He participated in MinneMUDAC 2025, where his team built a model to predict the length of matches for Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities. “To me, data science is more than a field of study, it is the foundation for future advancements. I aspire to incorporate data science principles in my daily life to view the world in the lens needed to make the world around me better.”

Everett Sandbo
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

Everett is pursuing a double major in Mathematics and Computer Science. Last year, he played a key role in updating TensorTools, an R package that offers foundational tools for tensor operations. With a strong interdisciplinary focus, Everett is passionate about tackling machine learning challenges and has actively contributed to faculty research projects. In addition to his academic pursuits, he is a dedicated member of the SD Mines Cross-Country and Track & Field teams. Outside of academics and athletics, his interests include music, chemistry, and tabletop games.

Abhineswari Seelam
University of Minnesota, Morris

Abhineswari (Abhi) is an international student from India pursuing a Computer Science major and Data Science and Statistics minor. “My future career plan is to be a data analyst. I have had an interest in learning and a passion for the data science field and problem-solving since I was in high school. I have various jobs on campus that helped me practice leadership and communication skills. I am confident that this scholarship will help me achieve my goals, explore more of my other interests, and have a lasting contribution in the field of data science.”