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Women in Data Science - Flagship Intro Video 2024

WiDS Stillwater is independently organized by Priyadharsini Ramamurthy to be part of the mission to increase participation of women in data science and to feature outstanding women doing outstanding work.
More About WiDS

Women in Data Science

WiDS Stillwater is independently organized by Priyadharsini Ramamurthy to be part of the mission to increase participation of women in data science and to feature outstanding women doing outstanding work.
More About WiDS
wids logo

Data Science Lecture Series

Dr. Miriam McGaugh

Title: Break the Chain - Combatting Sex Trafficking with Big Data.
Abstract: Human trafficking is an international challenge and it affects every country. The United Nations defines it as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of persons by improper means (such as force, abduction, fraud, or coercion) for an improper purpose including forced labor or sexual exploitation. It is a grave violation of human rights. The problem has escalated as human traffickers have now tapped into the power of online advertising. Online advertising is cost effective and has an exhaustive reach which allows human traffickers to operate on a global level and reach their targeted customers. Hundreds of online ads are posted on websites such as Backpage.com where sex traffickers advertise their services. In an attempt to tackle the problem, this project uses the power of text analytics to build a robust model for identification and categorization of potential human and sex trafficking ads.   The talk with cover the background of trafficking, current research conducted by OSU and other groups into the issue, and how everyone can play a part in combatting the problem.   

Dr. Kayla Loper

Title: Utilizing Predictive Models and Construct Measurement to Aide Student Success.
Abstract: You don't have to step far away from your studies to find that data science is also used for higher education organizations to inform decisions and ultimately improve student success. Dr. Loper will be sharing her life experience working in higher education: her path to the Director of Data Analytics, utilizing predictive models as a practitioner, and her research on measuring Sense of Belonging. Many predictive models such as retention models, enrollment predictions, and predictors of academic success are utilized by decision makers in higher education. These predictive models are often strengthened by additional variables, which supports the work towards developing trustworthy, validated measurement tools for various constructs.  Dr. Loper will provide an overview of the process she used to develop the University Student Belonging Scale and review the potential it has for strengthening prediction models at the university.

Dr. Luo Xiao

Title: AI, Large Language Models and their applications in Health Informatics and interdisciplinary research
Abstract: Recent advancements in Large Language Models (LLMs) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) enable the extraction of crucial insights like symptoms, social determinants of health, and interconnections among medical concepts from unstructured text data found in Electronic Health Records (EHR) and other sources. These insights can significantly enhance clinical decision-making and healthcare outcomes. Similarly, in fields like network security, LLMs are being used to analyze network traffic and provide detailed analyses for intrusion detection and prevention. This presentation will outline our recent advancements in developing innovative computational models and applying LLM and AI techniques in clinical research to improve healthcare outcomes. It will also cover the application of LLMs in security and other interdisciplinary areas, addressing current challenges and future opportunities for pioneering research.

Kim Strom

Title: The Journey to the Data
Business Domain Expertise: Complete life cycle of full-stack development; database design, development, and implementation | data and business process modeling | data cleaning including ETL and Data Warehouse design | IT Project Management
Technical Expertise: .NET suite of products, SQL Server, C#, HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, SSIS, Advanced Excel, VBA Scripting
Professional Title: Instructor of Professional Practice | MSIS Assistant Department Head
Stillwater, OK, USA

Panelist’s Bio:

  • Dr. Miriam McGaugh

    Business Domain Expertise: Healthcare and Public Health Analytics

    Technical Expertise: Analytics and SAS programming

    Professional Title: Professor of Professional Practice

    Stillwater, OK USA

    Bio:

    Miriam McGaugh, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in the School of Marketing and International Business at Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business.  She teaches in the Business Analytics and Data Science graduate program.

    Dr. McGaugh is the former Director of Community Epidemiology and Evaluation at the Oklahoma State Department of Health where she led a team of analysts who focused on community-based public health initiatives and worked with county health departments across the state on staffing, patient flow, and project planning. 

    Dr. McGaugh received her B.S. in Biology from Oklahoma City University, her M.S. in Epidemiology from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, and her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from Oklahoma State University.  Her research interests include healthcare analytics, public health marketing, and social network analysis. Her current courses emphasize descriptive and predictive analytics and several programming languages including SAS, R, and Python. 

  • Dr. Kayla Loper

    Business Domain Expertise: Educational Psychology - Higher Education Data Analytics and Assessment

    Technical Expertise: factor analysis, SPSS,  data interpretation & reporting, construct measurement

    Professional Title: College of Education & Human Sciences Director of Data Analytics

    Stillwater, OK, USA

    Bio:

    Dr. Kayla Loper currently works at Oklahoma State University as the Director of Data Analytics in the College of Education and Human Sciences. She is a graduate of the PhD in Educational Psychology: Research, Evaluation, Measurement, & Statistics program here at Oklahoma State University. Her career in higher education began in Student Affairs advising students involved in leadership development and event planning. Through this work she developed a passion for utilizing big data in higher education to encourage decisions that would have the greatest impact on student success. 

    Accomplishments:

    • Serve as a data consultant for Alpha Gamma Delta Fraternity Incorporated and the National Association of Campus Activities
    • Faculty for the Educational Psychology: Research, Evaluation, Measurement, and Statistics and Higher Education programs
    • Served as the Research and Scholarship Group Chair for the National Association of Campus Activities for two years
    • 3MT Finalist for the OSU Graduate College in 2021 and People's Choice Award Recipient
    • 2022 Women's Faculty Council Student Research Award
  • Dr. Luo Xiao

    Business Domain Expertise: Health informatics, Natural Language Processing, Information Retrieval, Artificial Intelligence

    Technical Expertise: Python, Java, TensorFlow, Pytorch, Keras, Hadoop, AWS, Spark

    Professional Title: Associate Professor | MSIS Department at OSU

    Stillwater, OK, USA

    Bio:

    Dr. Xiao Luo earned her Ph.D. in computer science, focusing on natural language processing, information retrieval, and artificial intelligence. She currently serves as an associate professor in the Department of Management and Information Systems at Oklahoma State University. Her research primarily explores the integration of artificial intelligence and natural language processing across various fields including healthcare, security, and other interdisciplinary areas. Dr. Luo is dedicated to developing innovative AI and language models to enhance healthcare delivery, network security, and personalized learning experiences. She has published over 110 journal and conference articles or abstracts and has received best paper awards at the ACM Conference on Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, and Health Informatics (ACM BCB) and the International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). Dr. Luo actively collaborates with multidisciplinary researchers from various institutions on funded projects supported by the NIH, NSF, and industry partners.

  • Kim Strom

    Bio:

    Kim Strom is a Professor of Practice in the MSIS Department at the Spears School of Business, where she also serves as Assistant Department Head. A fellow with InterWorks and HPNRI, Kim co-advises the Women in Technology (WIT) and Data Analytics Club (DAC) student organizations, fostering growth and collaboration in these fields.

    With over 30 years of IT industry experience, Kim joined OSU as a full-time faculty member in 2020. Her expertise spans full-stack development, database design and integration, project and upper-level management, and IT consulting. She is passionate about combining her technical expertise and problem-solving skills to help others achieve their goals.

    Kim regularly teaches Web Application Development, Data Wrangling, IT Project Management, Digital Transformation Strategies, and practicum courses for both undergraduate and graduate students. She has also taught Principles of Analytics and Data Warehousing. In addition, she mentors and coaches students in industry-sponsored internships, guiding them through real-world challenges.

    Her teaching excellence has been recognized with multiple awards, including the 2024 Greiner Teaching Award for Graduate Level, the 2021-2022 Engagement with Practice Award, and the 2022 Spears Online Teaching Award.

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