Rising Stars 2024: Recapping the Learning Experience

The 2024 New England Computing & Data Science Rising Stars program at Boston University was aimed at supporting doctoral students and postdocs from particularly underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds who will be entering the academic job market within 1-2 years. The Rising Stars two-day workshop was held in person at BU's Center for Computing & Data Sciences in October 2024, and welcomed 10 scholars from universities from across the United States.

This year's cohort of Rising Stars consisted of exceptional young academic professionals making significant contributions to their fields. These innovative thinkers push boundaries, inspire change, and demonstrate remarkable promise in research and education.

Learn More about the Rising Stars Program

Hear from the Scholars!

This year's cohort of Rising Stars was a group of exceptional young academic professionals making significant contributions to their fields. These innovative thinkers are pushing boundaries, inspiring change, and demonstrating remarkable promise in research and education.

Andrea Gallardo, Computer Science from Carnegie Mellon University
Collins Munyendo, Computer Science from The George Washington University
Ezinne Nwankwo, Computer Science from UC Berkeley
Joy Ming, Information Science from Cornell University
Kentrell Owens, Computer Science from the University of Washington
Kweku Kwegyir-Aggrey, Computer Science from Brown University
Natalie Araujo Melo, Computer Science & Learning Sciences from Northwestern University
Olumurejiwa Fatunde, Operations Management & Decision Sciences from Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Tamara Lambert, Biomedical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University
Tessa Masis, Computer Science from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst

Tessa Masis, Computer Science from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst

"I learned things and connected with people I never would have met otherwise. I really appreciated just hearing the variety of stories and experiences, and also the common obstacles and difficulties."

Joy Ming, Information Science from Cornell University

"I really enjoyed the panels that were tactical... It was really helpful to have the information that is otherwise learned mostly through hearsay and the hidden curriculum presented comprehensively."

Natalie Araujo Melo, Computer Science & Learning Sciences from Northwestern University

"I learned so much hidden curriculum from the mentors there and really appreciate the time we had to ask questions and practice our research talks. Feeling much better about the job market after this."

Collins Munyendo, Computer Science from The George Washington University

"The whole experience was amazing. The talks were very insightful, and I feel like I have created a community with all the other rising stars present."

Rising Stars at Boston University Committee Co-chairs

Ziba Cranmer, Director of BU Spark!

Mayank Varia, Prof. Mayank Varia, Associate Professor, BU Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences

Rising Stars Program Coordinator

Carolina A. Rossini, BU Law Adjunct Professor and UMass Amherst Director of Programs for Public Interest Technology and Professor of Practice in the School of Public Policy

Speakers & Presentation Recaps

The following overview represents a highlight of the two-day workshop. View the complete list of mentors, committee members, and content lineup here.

What is next? A Look Ahead at Opportunities

Jean Morrison, Professor Of Earth And Environment and Computing And Data Sciences, Inaugural Director Of Cds Mentorship Programs, BU Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences

Professor Morrison's discussion focused on the transition from a PhD to a career in higher education, emphasizing key factors for success. Central to the conversation was the importance of mentorship, with David Baker from the University of Washington highlighted for his exceptional guidance. The value of having multiple mentors and the reciprocal benefits of mentoring others were also discussed. Key institutional characteristics contributing to career success included reputation, research opportunities, faculty support, teaching load, work-life balance, and tenure processes. Aligning personal career goals with an institution’s mission was stressed as essential for long-term job satisfaction.

The balance between teaching and research responsibilities was explored, particularly in relation to different types of institutions, such as R1 universities and liberal arts colleges. Institutional classification, like Carnegie and AAU membership, was also noted for its impact on work-life balance. The discussion highlighted the need for faculty to remain adaptable to the evolving academic landscape, including shifting research priorities and teaching methods.

Diversity and inclusion were emphasized as crucial to both individual and institutional success, while resilience in navigating job rejections was also discussed. The conversation concluded with the importance of finding a good institutional fit—one that aligns with both personal goals and the institution’s values.

Welcome to BU and The Path Ahead of You

Prof. Azer Bestavros, Warren Distinguished Professor Of Computer Science + Associate Provost For Computing & Data Sciences

Associate Provost Bestavros discussed the founding and mission of the Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences (CDS) at Boston University, highlighting its commitment to democratizing access to data science and fostering interdisciplinary research. Key initiatives include a pledge encouraging students to consider the societal impact of their work, diverse course offerings like Data Speak Louder Than Words, and the integration of experiential learning starting from students' first semester. Over the past five years, CDS has grown significantly, with women comprising 50% of its undergraduate population and students maintaining a high average GPA. The center's collaborations with various academic departments and industry partners, such as MassMutual, emphasize its focus on public interest and ethical data science.

Keynote

Pallavi Eswara, Director Of Professional Development And Postdoctoral Affairs, Boston University

Professor Eswara's discussion emphasized the multifaceted role of faculty members, extending beyond career trajectories to include personal conduct and societal impact. The speaker highlighted the importance of being fully prepared for faculty positions, recommending self-assessment tools and emphasizing the need for research independence, teaching experience, and involvement in professional service.

The concept of the hidden curriculum was introduced, referring to the implicit learning that occurs through personal interactions in academic environments. Eswara also stressed the value of interdisciplinary research, the influence of funding trends, and the need for faculty to develop strong competencies in research methodologies and innovation. Finally, the discussion underscored the importance of resilience, the role of support networks, and the value of reframing rejections as opportunities for learning and growth.

Around the Table

Prof. Carolina Rossini, Rising Stars Program Coordinator, BU Law Adjunct Professor and UMass Amherst Director of Programs for Public Interest Technology and Professor of Practice in the School of Public Policy. In hosting and facilitating the discussions, Carolina highlighted the importance of the hidden curricula, the relevance of finding senior and peer mentors, with a particular focus on interdisciplinarity, and the importance of long-time partnerships and communities. As an international expert and scholar, she shared opportunities for global partnerships and alternative funding sources that American scholars can access.

What does it mean to be an academic nowadays?

Prof. Ethan Zuckerman, Associate Professor Of Public Policy, Communication, And Information, Director Of The Umass Initiative For Digital Public Infrastructure And Co-Founder And Director Of Public Interest Technology Initiative, Umass

Professor Zuckerman discussed his unconventional academic path, emphasizing the financial disparity between academia and industry. He pointed out that while university president salaries have increased fivefold over the past 20 years, professors' salaries have risen by only 20%. Zuckerman also highlighted the importance of research and public engagement, citing examples like Joy Buolamwini's work on AI biases and Timnit Gebru's Distributed AI Research Institute. He also shared insights from his unpermissioned research on platforms like YouTube and TikTok, revealing significant findings.

Career Exploration & Career Development

Prof. Diana Freed, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science and the Data Science Institute, Brown University

Prof. Emily Nutwell, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Facilitator: Colette Basiliere, ExD, PIT-NE

This panel explored transitioning to a career in academia and strategies for advancement. The panelists emphasized the value of mentorship relationships that helped them navigate the academic ecosystem, the importance of time management, and aligning personal priorities with those of their college or institution. The discussion also covered building a lab and managing relationships with communities after leaving an institution. As a final piece of advice, the panelists encouraged the Rising Stars to worry less as they navigate this journey.

Modern Skills 1: Innovative Teaching and Engagement Practices

Prof. Kevin Gold, Associate Professor of the Practice, Preceptor For Instruction, BU Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences

Professor Gold discussed his teaching strategies, emphasizing the importance of role-playing to model effective teaching and using a card system to track student participation. He stressed the need for clear signals to students about their engagement and contributions. Gold also addressed the growing impact of AI on education, particularly the increased use of AI for homework, and the need for new methods of assessment. He introduced an AI-based tutoring system that initially improved student learning, though its use declined as students turned to more advanced external AI tools. Additionally, he mentioned an automatic problem-generation tool for midterm practice, designed to enhance student engagement and improve learning outcomes.

Modern Skills 2: Storytelling & Communications

Maureen McCarthy, Director of Communications, BU Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences

McCarthy provided guidance for academics to effectively present and communicate their work and expertise. Key sections cover foundational elements like building an online profile, including a bio, headshot, LinkedIn presence, and personal website. She emphasized the importance of crafting a compelling research pitch, identifying the target audience, and being concise and available for media follow-ups.

For editorial opportunities, McCarthy suggested various content forms, such as op-eds, Q&As, photo essays, and video storytelling, and encouraged collaboration with university communicators for effective preparation. Social media is highlighted as a tool for promoting research and engaging with timely topics, using platforms like LinkedIn, X, and Instagram. She also stressed the value of documenting work through photography and videos, as well as the importance of community building and networking.

Modern Skills 3: Personal Development & Communications

Prof. Tanima Chatterjee, Clinical Assistant Professor and Director Of Undergraduate Studies, BU Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences

Professor Chatterjee shared her journey from a young MC in India to becoming a Clinical Assistant Professor at CBS BU and the founder of the CDS Toastmasters Club. She reflected on the significance of public speaking, recalling her first experience at age four and the challenges she encountered later in academia. Chatterjee highlighted the importance of confidence, practice, and overcoming imposter syndrome, drawing from her time at Yale's Molecular Biology Lab. She advised against relying on cue cards, emphasized the power of eye contact, and stressed the value of personal connections and networking. Her story underscored how essential effective communication skills are in both academic and professional environments.

Modern Skills 5: Fundraising

Prof. Mayank Varia, Associate Professor, BU Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences

Professor Varia's presentation focused on the financial aspects of academic research, emphasizing the critical need for substantial funding to support travel, cloud computing, and student stipends. Varia highlighted that for every dollar spent on research, an additional $2 is required to cover salaries, benefits, and university overhead costs. He explained the financial implications of funding PhD students, postdocs, and visiting faculty, noting that industry gifts often fall short of covering university overhead—an aspect that can sometimes be advantageous. Potential funding sources were discussed, including federal agencies like the NSF and NIH, as well as state and local governments and private industry. Strategies for securing funding were also covered, such as negotiating a strong startup package, utilizing departmental resources, and participating in grant review panels.

The Rising Stars Program was launched in April 2024 and hosted by Boston University’s Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences in collaboration with BU’s Department of Math and Statistics, College of Engineering, Department of Computer Sciences, and members of the Public Interest Technology Network of New England (PIT-NE).