For students in the Computational Modeling and Data Analytics (CMDA) program, completing a Capstone project is a degree requirement. Each semester, teams of 3-4 students collaborate with government, industry, or institutional partners to solve a real-world problem using data science.

Researchers from the Center for Ecosystem Forecasting have been frequent CMDA Capstone sponsors, including in Fall 2023, when the VA Lakers (students Mariah Bolden, Aanish Pradhan, and Adam White) were tasked with creating models to improve water quality forecasting at Lake Sunapee, N.H.

After the project was completed, these students had a unique opportunity to showcase their communication skills, presenting their findings directly to the Lake Sunapee Protective Association.

“Data scientists need to be able to convey very complex statistical, mathematical, or computational science topics to a non-technical audience,” said Pradhan, “so representing that information precisely and accurately is a skill that every data scientist should have.”

4 people stand with warm coats on the side of a lake
(From left) CMDA students Aanish Pradhan, Adam White, and Mariah Bolden, stand alongside Quinn Thomas at Lake Sunapee in New Hampshire. Photo courtesy of Angie Patterson.

Learn more about how to support the CMDA Capstone Program.

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