Meet the MADS student ambassadors
Want to speak with a current student about the Master of Applied Data Science program and application process? Sign up for an appointment below.
Khurram Abbas (MADS ’28)
Hometown: Novi, Michigan
As an associate director of engineering at a tier-one cellular carrier, Khurram leads a team of engineers and data scientists working on cutting-edge technology on the cusp of the AI revolution. To lead effectively in this evolving landscape, he decided to pursue a graduate degree in data science. As a Michigan alumnus, he was naturally drawn to UMSI’s MADS program, which stood out for its heavily applied, real-world focus. Fun fact: Khurram has been an avid science fiction fan ever since reading Arthur C. Clarke’s “2001: A Space Odyssey” as a kid.
Anita Nti (MADS ’26)
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Anita works as a data scientist. She saw the MADS program as an opportunity to strengthen her technical foundation and expand the types of problems she could solve with data. She appreciates how the program was intentionally designed to be flexible for students in different stages of life, whether working full time or balancing family responsibilities. Fun fact: In addition to being a data scientist, Anita is also a professional makeup artist.