May 2–4, 2025 | University of Delaware | Hosted by the UD Data Science Institute (DSI)
Last month, I had the privilege of serving as a judge at ASA DataFest 2025, a national data analysis competition where multi-disciplinary undergraduate teams take on the challenge of making sense of a large, complex dataset over one intense weekend.
Organized in collaboration with the American Statistical Association (ASA), this event reflects ASA’s broader mission: promoting the practice and profession of statistics and data science across fields like healthcare, public policy, economics, and beyond. As the premier statistical organization in the U.S. since 1839, the ASA continues to foster learning and innovation by supporting real-world, hands-on experiences—like DataFest—that empower the next generation of data professionals.
Hosted by the University of Delaware’s Data Science Institute (DSI), this event brought together bright minds from across disciplines to analyze, interpret, and visualize data in creative and meaningful ways.
What makes DataFest so impactful is its format:
Mentors were available throughout the weekend, supporting participants as they explored the data.
All work had to be completed at the venue, ensuring a dynamic, high-energy environment filled with learning and collaboration.
On Sunday, May 4, I joined a panel of faculty and industry professionals hailing from JP Morgan & Chase , Citi and many more to evaluate the teams during their final presentations. Each team had just 5 minutes and 3 slides to deliver their insights—a true test of clarity, storytelling, and data literacy.
We assessed each presentation based on:
- Insight
- Visualization
- Use of External Data
- Communication
Awards were presented in four categories:
🏆 Best Insight
📊 Best Visualization
🌐 Best Use of External Data
⭐ Judges’ Choice (for something uniquely impressive)
Each team received tailored feedback—highlighting what stood out, why they were selected (or not) for an award, and one suggestion for future improvement.
As a judge, I was genuinely impressed by the originality and analytical depth displayed as well as the love for the line charts to show the timely travel of the numbers. The students demonstrated not only technical skill but also the ability to change data into compelling narratives with real-world relevance.
Being part of DataFest reminded me why I love working at the intersection of data, mentorship, and impact. For me, it was more than just a competition , it was a celebration of curiosity and critical thinking.