National Science Foundation Data Science for Future Leaders Project
Iona University has been awarded a grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation's (NSF) Division of Undergraduate Education for the project entitled "Data Science for Future Leaders". This grant is a major milestone in Iona’s dedication to delivering innovative, interdisciplinary education that prepares our students for success in a data-centric world.
The "Data Science for Future Leaders" project aims to enhance data literacy for all students across various disciplines. This program will provide our faculty with the resources needed to create and integrate data science modules into their existing courses, helping to prepare our students for success in today's data-driven world.
We invite you to join us in fostering a culture where data science is recognized as an important aspect of modern education and career readiness. Together, we can contribute to developing the next generation of data-literate professionals.
Stay tuned for more information on how you can get involved and benefit from this exciting new initiative!
This project is supported by the National Science Foundation under NSF-IUSE Award No. 2417365.
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Project Team
This interdisciplinary initiative brings together a team of five faculty members from diverse fields:
Principal Investigator
Board of Trustees Endowed Professor, Biophysical/Analytical/Surface Chemistry
- Office:
- Cornelia Hall, 105-D
- Phone:
- (914) 633-2638 (914) 633-2638
- Email:
- slee@iona.edu
Co-Principal Investigators
Associate Professor of Mathematics
Chair, Mathematics & Physics Department
- Office:
- Spellman Hall, Room 4-206F
- Phone:
- (914) 633-2272 (914) 633-2272
- Email:
- bgaines@iona.edu
Assistant Chair, Computer Science Department
Associate Professor of Computer Science
Contact for All Graduate Programs
- Office:
- Murphy Center, Room 113F
- Phone:
- (914) 633-2561 (914) 633-2561
- Email:
- spetrovic@iona.edu
Chair, History Department
Associate Professor of History
- Office:
- Ryan Library
- Phone:
- (914) 633-2651 (914) 633-2651
- Email:
- nslonimsky@iona.edu
Professor of Political Science
- Phone:
- (914) 633-2252 (914) 633-2252
- Email:
- jzaino@iona.edu
Faculty Fellows
This project will engage three cohorts of faculty fellows, with each cohort comprising four faculty members each year. Participants will take part in professional development workshops and collaboratively create data science educational modules designed for integration into existing courses. This initiative aims to enhance the educational experience by incorporating essential data science skills into the curriculum.
The campus-wide call for applications to recruit the second and third cohorts will be announced in Spring 2025 and Spring 2026, respectively. Relevant information and updates will be posted on this site, so please check back regularly for details!
Inaugural Faculty Fellows Cohort and Curriculum Development
2024-2025
Our inaugural cohort of faculty fellows has proposed the following topics for the first-year module development:
History
"Interactive Digital Mapping Module: Exploring Latin American History and Diversity across Disciplines"
Jimena Perry, Ph.D. (She/Her/Hers)
Assistant Professor, History Department
- Office:
- 10 President Street
- Email:
- jperry@iona.edu
Accounting
"Integrating Data Science into Accounting Education: A Module Approach"
Associate Professor of Accounting
- Office:
- LaPenta School of Business, 446
- Phone:
- (914) 633-2178 (914) 633-2178
- Email:
- aalabbad@iona.edu
Media & Strategic Communication
"Visualizing & Presenting Data: Data Driven Journalism Module"
Chair, Media & Strategic Communication Department
Associate Professor, Media & Strategic Communication Department
- Office:
- Murphy Center, Second Floor, Room 222
- Phone:
- (914) 633-2459 (914) 633-2459
- Email:
- mbard@iona.edu
Chemistry
"Introduction to Data Science in Molecular Sciences: A Focus on Drug Discovery and Health Inequality Analysis"
Assistant Professor, Theoretical and Computational Physical Chemistry
- Office:
- Cornelia Hall, 104A
- Phone:
- (914) 633-2301 (914) 633-2301
- Email:
- jschriber@iona.edu
Workshop Structure and Schedule
To accommodate our faculty members' busy schedules, we have designed a flexible and manageable learning approach:
- Eight, 90-minute workshops per academic year (four in the fall and four in the spring) scheduled during University activity hours;
- A two-day summer retreat;
- Independent module completion with mentoring support.
Fall 2024 Workshop Schedule
- "AI, Authenticity, and the Trump/Harris Phenomenon"
Dr. Gunn Enli, Professor, University of Oslo
Wednesday, October 2, 12:30 p.m.
Romita Auditorium, Ryan Library
Learn more at www.iona.edu/CSI - "Data Science & Society: Learn it and Lead it."
Florence Hudson, Executive Director of the Northeast Big Data Innovation Hub at Columbia University
Wednesday, October 23, 12:30 p.m.
Cornelia Hall, Room 108
Learn more at www.iona.edu/CSI - "Intro to Python/Jupiter Notebook"
Moath Nuseir, Computer Science Adjunct Instructor, Iona University
Wednesday, November 13, 12:30 p.m.
Murphy Center, Room 201 - "Data Management: Pandas Library for Data Manipulation"
Sean Campbell '16, Software Engineer at Gaiascope and Computer Science Adjunct Instructor, Iona University
Monday, November 18, 12:30 p.m.
Murphy Center, Room 122
Community-Building Events
The project team is excited to facilitate a series of diverse community-building events on campus focused on data science. These events aim to raise awareness of data science and highlight its significance across various disciplines, extending beyond computing majors. Join us as we explore the impact of data science in multiple fields and foster a collaborative learning environment!
Careers in Science (CSI) Speaker Series
The Careers in Science (CSI) speaker series is held monthly to inform students about career opportunities in the sciences and related fields. Each session features speakers from industry, government, and academia who engage in discussions about the applications of data science across various sectors and its broader significance. Join us to explore how data science is shaping careers and industries!
Data Science Symposium
The Data Science Symposium is an annual event held every spring, inaugurated in 2023. This one-day symposium brings together experts and enthusiasts to explore the latest advancements and applications of data science. Join us for insightful discussions and networking opportunities as we continue to foster a vibrant data science community!