BU Today: A Sleepover in the CDS Building? BU Students Will Participate in Weekend-Long Hackathon
Excerpt from BU Today | By: Camille Bugayong | October 23, 2025 | Photo: Cydney Scott
More than 200 Boston University students will participate in a weekend-long overnight innovation challenge at the DS+X Hackathon, being held at the Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences October 25 and 26.
Hosted by the Duan Family Spark! Initiative and BU’s Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences, the event invites students to explore how data science can intersect with other fields, such as health, climate, art, and AI, to make meaningful change.
“The DS+X Hackathon is about giving students the opportunity to connect their passion for data science to their other passions while building skills in a fun and low-stress setting,” says Ziba Cranmer, founding director of BU Spark!
Shriya Jonnalagadda (CDS’28) says she chose to study data science because she wants to make a real impact in the world. Throughout her education, she’s been passionate about combining data science with business and marketing, and this weekend, she’s getting the opportunity to expand her skillset and make a significant leap towards her career goals.
Participants can choose from a range of DS+X tracks at the Hackathon, including Data Science + AI and Data Science + Public Policy. Student teams will come up with an idea, then prototype and pitch innovative data-driven solutions to real-world problems, including apps, chatbots, interactive dashboards, games, and AI agents.