Wrapping Up an Incredible Journey
The initial challenges of transitioning to a new city and a new role quickly gave way to a sense of belonging and purpose.
Michael-Sean Ossai ‘26 is interning with Professor Sriram Pemmaraju. in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. Michael-Sean will be assisting Professor Pemmaraju on a research project concerning healthcare data and will have the opportunity to contribute to ongoing research papers.
The initial challenges of transitioning to a new city and a new role quickly gave way to a sense of belonging and purpose.
The complexity and potential impact of this project are immense and inspiring, so I am eager to dive in.
My first week as a computational epidemiology researcher at the University of Iowa was a blend of new experiences, initial challenges, and growing...
Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria
Major(s): Business Analytics (Computer Science Minor)
I am an Irish-Nigerian sophomore at Cornell College. Initially on a Pre Med trajectory with dreams of pursuing cardiology to positively impact society, my interests have evolved towards the intersection of data and business. Alongside this passion, I have always harbored a deep love for music, believing it to be a powerful tool for improving lives. Despite the tendency to undervalue the arts (music) in comparison to fields like medicine or technology, I recognize their integral role in cultural and societal well-being. Music, in particular, holds transformative power that fosters healthier living. While my passions span diverse areas, my ultimate goal remains unchanged: to positively impact people and leave a lasting, positive imprint on the world through my endeavors.
In the Computational Epidemiology research assistantship at the University of Iowa, I aim to bridge my knowledge in Business Analytics and Computer Science with public health challenges. I aspire to leverage data-driven approaches to understand disease dynamics, model interventions, and contribute to global health efforts. This experience will deepen my analytical and programming skills while allowing me to make meaningful contributions to epidemiological research. Ultimately, I seek to apply these insights towards addressing real-world health disparities and informing evidence-based policies for healthier communities.
