COSMOS is happy to announce the graduation of three of our own cosmographers, Qudirat Akanji, Gaurav Raj Thapa, and Manideepika Kurapati! All three received their Masters this last December 2023. Dr. Agarwal said, “I am extremely proud of their accomplishments and the numerous contributions they have made to the COSMOS center. Even though they have graduated, they are eternally part of COSMOS – they just shine from a distance! I wish them all the best for their future endeavors.”
Below are interviews detailing their personal stories of classes at UALR and work at COSMOS.
In these interviews, we spoke to the graduating students of the class of 2023: Qudirat Akanji, Gaurav Raj Thapa, and Manideepika Kurapati.
Qudirat Akanji, a Nigerian student graduating this month from UALR with a degree in Business Information Systems and Analytics shares her experiences with COSMOS, her plans after graduation, and her fondest memories as a cosmographer.
Qudirat Akanji
Tell us a little bit about yourself
My Name is Qudirat Akanji, a Nigerian student graduating this month from UALR with a degree in Business Information Systems and Analytics. I’ve been studying at UALR for the past two years and am excited to start the next phase of my journey.
What was your inspiration for joining COSMOS?
I heard about COSMOS from several people I admired and was looking to get into the data analytics field. I reached out to them and found a sense of ownership within the teams working on the projects at COSMOS and read some amazing research articles by Dr. Nitin Agarwal.
How has COSMOS helped in your journey?
COSMOS has helped me grow as an individual. It has Improved my analytical thinking especially when dealing with Data. I enjoyed the paper presentations by the team as they exposed her to more methodologies I could explore in my research.
What are your plans after graduation?
I’m optimistic about getting a data analysis role and getting more involved in my community through volunteering and events.
What is your fondest memory as a cosmographer?
Cake days!!! I love that COSMOS takes the time to celebrate birthdays. Friday Presentation days were also exciting. Cosmographers put in the work to share their thoughts and answer questions on various research papers, and they do that in style.
Do you have any parting words for Cosmographers?
Keep shining bright! Each Cosmographer is destined for extraordinary heights. You possess all the essential qualities to reach remarkable destinations.
Deepika Kurapati
Tell us a little bit about yourself
My name is Deepika Kurapati. I am from India, and I have just completed my Master’s in Information Science at the University of Arkansas, Little Rock.
What was your inspiration for joining COSMOS?
I have always wanted to create intuitive, easy-to-use, enjoyable user interfaces. With this goal in mind, I have started learning UI tools and have been working on improving my design skills. Joining COSMOS has provided me with an opportunity to work on designing, which has inspired me to pursue my passion further.
How has COSMOS helped in your journey
COSMOS has served as an excellent platform for skill enhancement, providing me with valuable opportunities to not only increase my existing skills but also acquire new ones. The diverse and dynamic environment at COSMOS has been instrumental in fostering continuous learning and professional growth.
What are your plans after graduation?
I am currently seeking opportunities in the fields of UI/UX design and Data Analysis, leveraging my skills in user-centric design and analytical abilities to contribute to innovative projects and make data-driven insights. My goal is to apply my diverse skill set in creating seamless user experiences or extracting meaningful insights from data sets in a professional setting.
What is your fondest memory as a cosmographer
I have found great enjoyment in collaborating with my team leads, Hayder, Mayor Inna, and Ahmed. Their guidance and support have been invaluable in helping me learn and acquire the necessary skills for my research. The time spent working with them is undoubtedly my fondest memory, marked by continuous learning and positive collaboration.
Do you have any parting words for Cosmographers?
To all my fellow Cosmographers, I encourage you to dedicate yourselves to hard work and seize the opportunities presented to contribute to research papers. Utilize this platform to showcase your expertise, collaborate with the team, and make meaningful contributions to the field. Together, let’s leverage our skills and enthusiasm to advance the knowledge within COSMOS.