MS BAnDS students Antony, Haldar earn Disney Data and Analytics Women award, all-expense-paid trip
Friday, September 20, 2024
Carol Antony and Medha Haldar were presented with the Disney Data and Analytics Women 2024 award, marking a third consecutive year a student from the Master’s in Business Analytics and Data Science (MS BAnDS) program at Oklahoma State University has taken home this prize.
The two Spears School of Business graduate students earned an all-expenses-paid trip to the Disney Data and Analytics Conference held Sept. 9-11 at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Florida. Both students immersed themselves in various conference activities, engaged in exclusive networking events and benefited from the guidance of designated mentors from Disney, who provided ongoing support and insights during the event.
"This year, not just one, but two of our students being honored is a significant recognition and reflects the extraordinary talent we nurture here," said Dr. Goutam Chakraborty, director of the MS BAnDS program. "It fills me with immense pride to see our students excel continuously at such a prestigious platform. Their success is a testament to the dedication and innovative spirit of our faculty and students alike."
Spears Business MS BAnDS graduate students have now received the Disney Data and Analytics Women award in three consecutive years. Shubhi Gupta earned the honor in 2023 while Sai Sreeshma was the 2022 recipient.
Antony submitted a project poster analyzing female representation in cinema and media, as well as an essay on how her mother overcame obstacles to work in STEM, which inspired her passion for data science.
“As a second-year graduate student in the MS BAnDS program, I was incredibly fortunate to be one of four recipients of Disney’s Data and Analytics Women 2024 award,” Antony said. “Alongside my friend and peer, Medha Haldar, I enjoyed an unforgettable experience at the Disney Data and Analytics Conference, as well as Disney's Magic Kingdom. From the outset of our trip, we were guided by our mentors at Disney, who were not only supportive but ensured we got the most out of every moment.”
Haldar has a background in health care analytics, which she used for her project that used applied machine learning algorithms to analyze symptoms closely associated with polycystic ovary syndrome, a women’s health condition that is often underrepresented in research. Haldar’s essay discussed her professional journey in analytics and how her mother inspired her pursuit of a career in STEM.
"Winning the DDAW award was a pivotal moment in my professional journey, reinforcing my commitment to advancing women's representation in STEM,” Haldar said. “This experience emphasized the power of community and collaboration in tech, inspiring me to forge ahead with confidence alongside a vibrant network of women and allies."
Learn more about the MS BAnDS program at OSU by visiting their website.