Each summer, the Harvard Data Science Initiative (HDSI) hosts the Summer Program for Undergraduates in Data Science (SPUDS), a ten-week immersive research program co-sponsored by Harvard College. As a part of the Harvard Summer Undergraduate Research Villages, SPUDS provides undergraduates with substantive research experience, mentorship from leading Harvard faculty, and the opportunity to join a vibrant intellectual community focused on the impactful application of data science across disciplines.
SPUDS supports the broader mission of HDSI: translating rigorous academic research into real-world solutions that drive positive and sustainable change. Under the guidance of Harvard faculty mentors, participants explore pressing real-world questions using data-driven methods, tackling problems from environmental challenges and healthcare disparities to financial analytics and AI ethics. The program emphasizes creativity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the responsible, ethical practice of data science research.
Meet the 2025 SPUDS Fellows:
- Levi Backman (’27), a Computer Science concentrator, will apply statistical methods to sports analytics and quantitative finance, exploring player performance assessment and market risk management.
- Kaitlyn Ernst (’28), interested in Applied Mathematics and Economics, will research how human perceptions shape interactions with generative AI, specifically investigating biases that affect AI adoption.
- Hasan Hussein (’27), a joint concentrator in Statistics and Mathematics, will work on developing frameworks at the intersection of causal inference and machine learning, potentially addressing critical issues like climate impacts or medical interventions.
- Eric Tong (’28), intending to concentrate in Statistics, aims to analyze health outcomes related to air pollution and climate change, contributing to the National Studies on Air Pollution and Health.
- Ricky Truong (’27), studying Statistics and Mathematics, will explore how data science can illuminate and address societal inequities, particularly in education and public health.
- Joseph Wang (’28), planning a concentration in Mathematics and Computer Science, will develop AI-powered smart devices designed to assist visually impaired individuals by analyzing egocentric video data.
- Lauren Wood (’27), a Social Studies concentrator with a focus on data and AI ethics, will investigate the reliability and ethical implications of using generative AI as a replacement for human participants in research experiments.
- Audrey Yang (’27), concentrating in Computer Science, will collaborate with the Access to Justice Lab at Harvard Law School, analyzing data from randomized controlled trials aimed at improving fairness and accessibility in the justice system.
- Grace Yang (’27), studying Applied Mathematics, intends to utilize statistical and computational tools to understand how pollution and extreme weather events interact to influence cardiovascular and respiratory health outcomes.
If you’re interested in supporting undergraduate data science research, collaborating on interdisciplinary projects, or learning more about HDSI’s impact-driven initiatives, we encourage you to reach out and become part of our growing community.