There is a new addition to the COSMOS family! We hired a new full-time Data Engineer, Bhushan Shelke! Bhushan shares what attracted him to COSMOS, as well as his aspirations and goals.

What is your name, and what role do you play at COSMOS?

My name is Bhushan Shelke, and I am a Data Engineer at COSMOS, where I contribute to data pipeline development, analytics, and applied data science projects. I focus on building scalable systems that support research in social computing and digital behavior analysis.

Can you share a bit about your professional background and experience?

I’ve worked across data engineering, analytics, and applied data science. My recent experience includes building, designing dashboards, and developing predictive models using Python. I have collaborated with cross-functional teams to support research and operational decision-making, handled data from diverse systems, and delivered insights through reports and visualizations.

Were there specific aspects of COSMOS’ culture or mission that resonated with you?

Prof. Agarwal’s focus on tackling real-world challenges through social computing and AI, in addition to the collaborative and interdisciplinary environment he has developed at COSMOS, stood out to me. I’m excited by the opportunity to work on projects that support social good, study digital behavior, and contribute to research with meaningful societal impact.

Are there any specific skills or experiences you’re looking to gain here?

I hope to deepen my experience in large-scale social media data pipelines, inference systems, and classification infrastructure. I’m also looking forward to strengthening my skills in distributed processing, model deployment, and developing analytical tools that translate research into practical solutions.

Is there anything that stood out to you during your onboarding process?

Prof. Agarwal’s strong emphasis on collaboration and mentorship was clear right away. It was also helpful to see how quickly new team members are exposed to ongoing research projects at COSMOS and tools developed by the center.

How do you see yourself growing professionally within COSMOS?

I aim to become more proficient at building scalable data systems for social analytics and eventually lead projects that combine data engineering and applied machine learning.

Based on your experience, what advice would you give to someone starting a new role at COSMOS?

Stay curious, ask questions early, and don’t hesitate to collaborate with teams across domains. The work at COSMOS is highly interdisciplinary, so engaging with people who have different perspectives helps accelerate learning and impact.

If you could have dinner with any historical figure or fictional character, who would it be and why?

Balasaheb Thackeray. His journey from cartoonist to influential political leader is remarkable, and I’d be interested in understanding how he used communication and public sentiment to drive change.