In this edition of Cosmographer Corner, we highlight the work of a former UA Little Rock graduate and cosmographer, Dayo Samuel Banjo. We are incredibly proud of Dayo’s accomplishments!
Dayo – who is an iOS Software Engineer at Meta started his graduate education in Computer Science at UA Little Rock in 2021 and earned his Master of Science degree in 2022. During the summer of 2022, he completed a graduate internship at Apple. After graduating, he worked as a software engineer at Vakanda, a startup, for one year, then transitioned to Meta (Facebook) in California. During his master’s degree, Dayo worked at COSMOS as a graduate research assistant. We spoke with Dayo about his career now and what his work at COSMOS entailed, with his responses below.
How did COSMOS fit into your university career? How did you come across COSMOS, and what were you studying when you joined COSMOS?
While pursuing my master’s degree in Computer Science at UA Little Rock, I had the opportunity to work with Prof. Nitin Agarwal, the dedicated and highly organized leader of the COSMOS Research Center. I was introduced to COSMOS by a senior colleague who spoke highly of the center’s real-world focus, which immediately sparked my interest.
As a newcomer from Nigeria, COSMOS quickly became one of my first meaningful connections in the U.S. It gave me a sense of belonging and helped ease my transition into a new environment. The welcoming and collaborative atmosphere made it easier to adjust and thrive.
What stood out most to me was how COSMOS bridged the gap between theory and practice. While many graduate programs emphasize theoretical learning, COSMOS provides hands-on experience with real tools and technologies. This not only reinforced my classroom learning but also strengthened my technical foundation.
Prof. Agarwal’s mentorship and the center’s collaborative culture played a significant role in shaping my academic and professional journey. COSMOS was more than just an academic experience—it was truly transformational, both personally and professionally.
How did COSMOS contribute to your career and program at UALR? What was Prof. Agarwal’s role in your journeys during and after?
When I started working at COSMOS under Prof. Agarwal, I had no background in information systems—only some basic coding experience. Despite that, the experience was incredibly supportive and rewarding. I quickly learned not only about technical concepts but also about critical societal challenges like information campaigns and cognitive security—topics rarely explored in traditional technical programs.
The environment at COSMOS was intellectually stimulating. Being surrounded by smart, driven individuals pushed me to grow. Prof. Agarwal played a pivotal role in that growth through his consistent guidance and mentorship. His deep knowledge and work ethic set the tone for the entire group, challenging us to be sharp, prepared, and thoughtful.
I genuinely appreciated that level of challenge. It pushed me to grow both professionally and personally. COSMOS is the kind of place where, if you’re motivated and eager to make an impact, you absolutely can. Working with Prof. Agarwal helped me add real value to my skills and work.
I especially miss our weekly team meetings. Each group would share updates, results, and insights, and Prof. Agarwal would ask questions that made us think deeper and refine our ideas. His thoughtful feedback and encouragement always helped us take the next step forward. Those were truly formative and memorable days.
How would you describe the “research pipeline” that you worked on while at COSMOS? In other words, what was the specific area in which you researched?
At COSMOS, my primary focus was on research, where I contributed to a project called VTracker. This initiative centered on video characterization and involved building a framework to categorize and analyze online video content.
My work combined principles from information theory, computer science, and AI/machine learning to examine how visual information is structured and circulated. I used clustering techniques and AI models to group different types of content across web pages, helping to uncover patterns in the spread of information campaigns, cognitive security, opposing viewpoints, and instructional media.
I was especially interested in the psychological effects of visual media and how bad actors manipulate video content to shape public perception. Through VTracker, I explored these dynamics and helped develop tools to better detect and analyze video-based information campaigns.
Additionally, I contributed to a research publication that examined how machine learning can be applied to track and understand trends in manipulative content online.
Since leaving COSMOS, what positions have you had? What is your current work? What positions did COSMOS and your classes at UALR best prepare you for?
After leaving COSMOS, I worked for about a year as a software engineer at Vakanda, a startup. I later joined Meta, where I currently work as an iOS software engineer on the video engineering team in California. My team focuses on video playback infrastructure, building the core video player used across Meta platforms like Facebook and Instagram. We aim to create scalable, high-performance components that deliver smooth and reliable video experiences.
COSMOS had a significant impact on my growth. It taught me the importance of taking ownership of my work and reinforced the idea that technology should ultimately improve people’s lives. Being part of a passionate, driven team also showed me the value of working with people who truly care about what they do.
COSMOS also gave me my first real exposure to American work culture, which was quite different from what I was used to in Nigeria. My education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, especially in areas like software and video engineering, provided a strong technical foundation in computer science, including subjects like computer architecture and operating systems.
If you had to describe the most momentous event at COSMOS, what would it be?
One of my most memorable experiences at COSMOS was presenting our research at COMPUTE 2022, a major international conference. We had put in a lot of hard work, and winning the Best Presentation award was both surprising and incredibly rewarding. It validated our efforts and gave us a real sense of pride and motivation to keep pushing forward.
Another unforgettable moment was helping host US Senator John Boozman during his visit to COSMOS. It was exciting and humbling to meet with national leaders and policymakers and see firsthand the impact COSMOS has beyond academia. That visit highlighted how our work connects to the broader community.
Both experiences reminded me of the real-world value of what we do at COSMOS. They reinforced the importance of staying committed, engaged, and proud of the work we’re building together.
What advice would you have for current Cosmographers?
My advice to new COSMOS members is simple: take ownership of both your technical and soft skills. Don’t be afraid of challenges—even when things seem unclear. Keep pushing forward, give your best, and always strive to grow beyond your current limits.
Be open to learning, listening, and being mentored. At the same time, don’t hesitate to contribute back to the community. Sharing your knowledge and supporting your peers is just as important. Growth happens not only through learning but also by helping others grow alongside you.
Make the most of your time at COSMOS. Learn as much as you can and aim to leave a positive impact on your team and community. That’s how strong teams are built and where leadership begins.
Most importantly, enjoy the journey. Even during tough moments, find joy in the work. One day, you’ll look back and realize how meaningful this time was. The memories, the challenges, and the friendships will stay with you.
I’m truly grateful for my time at COSMOS—it shaped me in many ways. If you get the chance to work with Prof. Agarwal, consider yourself fortunate. He’s brilliant, committed, and knows how to bring out the best in his team. COSMOS gives you the opportunity to grow and be part of something impactful—make it count.