The MDSC Senior Research Spotlight showcases innovative data science research conducted by Notre Dame students completing their Minor in Data Science. In these presentations, seniors share their semester-long research projects, demonstrating how data analysis and computational methods can address real-world challenges across diverse fields. Each spotlight highlights the unique ways our students apply their data science skills to make meaningful contributions to their primary disciplines and society at large.
Please join us on December 11, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. for a presentation by Matt McCollum titled "Transportation Insecurity and Data Analysis for Commuters Trust." Light refreshments will be provided.
Presentation Summary:
Commuters Trust is an initiative in South Bend aimed at improving transportation accessibility and affordability for residents, particularly those seeking employment. In this presentation, Matt McCollum will showcase the research he has worked on throughout the semester, focusing on Uber ride data and its spatial relationships with geographic, socioeconomic, and transit-related factors in South Bend. His research examines key metrics like Uber wait times, program utilization, and the relationships between ride-sharing data and variables such as vehicle ownership, commute times, and public transit access. This analysis highlights how data can uncover patterns and inform decisions to improve public transportation and programs like Commuters Trust.
Bio:
Matt McCollum is a senior studying International Economics and German, with a minor in Data Science. During the summer, he worked with the Lucy Family Institute for Data and Society, where he first encountered the Commuters Trust program and began his research using transportation data. After graduation, Matt plans to pursue a career in data analytics or economic research.