Two high school students, Yemi and Alexander, completed a five‑month research experience with the Data‑Driven Decision Making (D3M) Lab as part of the 2026 EnvironMentor Program. Guided by Dr. Sayed Mohsin Reza and undergraduate mentor Pranshav Lakhia, the students engaged in hands‑on, data‑driven research focused on real‑world challenges spanning environmental and sustainability domains.
At the culmination of the program, both students presented their research at the EnvironMentor Symposium, showcasing their work to faculty, mentors, and peers:
Yemi presented “Quantitative Analysis of COVID‑19’s Effects on CO₂ Emissions in the United States,” exploring how pandemic-related disruptions influenced emission patterns through data analysis and visualization.
Alexander presented “Analyzing Operational Resilience Across Airline Business Models During Adverse Weather Conditions,” examining how different airline models respond to disruptions using data-driven insights.
Over the course of the mentorship, the students developed foundational skills in data analysis, research methodology, visualization, and scientific communication, while gaining exposure to interdisciplinary applications of data science. Their work highlights the importance of early research engagement and reflects the D3M Lab’s commitment to mentoring students at all levels and broadening participation in data-driven research.