Senior Spotlight: Anthony Cusimano Parses a Path Through Data
One campus tour changed everything for Anthony Cusimano. He had always enjoyed studying computer science and statistics, and during a visit to UC Irvine, he discovered a field that combines them both: data science.
“I’ve always wanted to choose a career path that can make a tangible difference, and data science gives me the tools to solve real problems and uncover patterns that were unknown. Even just a few years ago, the number of colleges with data science programs was more limited, so I was drawn to UCI’s strong curriculum and numerous opportunities in the field,” says Cusimano, who is graduating this spring with his bachelor’s degree in data science from UC Irvine’s Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences (ICS).
Cusimano’s decision to study data science at UC Irvine paid off in more ways than one. While his courses and professors challenged him to hone his technical skills, he also found ways to apply these skills beyond the classroom, especially through hackathons and datathons that encouraged creative problem-solving.
At the ICS Student Council’s (ICSSC) ZotHacks hackathon, his team earned the Hacker’s Choice Award for developing a lyric-based game using music data from Spotify, and at Data@UCI’s Embark datathon, his project on the relationship between sports and crime earned runner-up honors. These competitions came not only with impressive wins but also with new connections and friendships — a defining part of Cusimano’s experience as an ICS student.
“I found a community within student organizations by being a part of the ICCSC’s Bits & Bytes mentorship program and joining their Corporate Outreach committee for two years,” he says. “I’ve always felt that as a student in ICS, there are so many opportunities to partake in and creative, innovative peers to learn from.”
This spirit of curiosity and collaboration extends into research as well. Cusimano has applied his expertise in data science to challenges in healthcare and education through research projects at UC Irvine, Purdue University and Columbia University. He recently completed a fellowship at the UC Irvine Career Pathways for Research in Learning and Education, Analytics and Data Science (CP-LEADS) Fellows Program.
“I was drawn to research because of the chance we get to ask questions about the world and develop methodologies to answer those questions,” he says. “These experiences have ultimately shown me how valuable data science can be and inspired me to continue creatively exploring the world around me.”
Next up for Cusimano: working at investment management company Capital Group, where he will combine research and data analytics to guide key decisions in trading, strategy and operations.
“I’m particularly excited about the chance to innovate data science methods in these areas and solve large-scale, complex problems along with a team,” says Cusimano. “The most important skill I’ve gained from my UCI coursework and participation in several research projects is the ability to quickly learn new things and creatively solve difficult problems, and I know that this will be extremely useful as I move into a new field.”
Always chasing learning and creativity in one form or another, Cusimano spends his time outside of school producing music, picking up a new instrument, sketching or exploring Orange County. Looking back, Cusimano says that much of his growth at UC Irvine came from being open to new experiences.
“Read the ICS e-Bulletins! I have discovered so many of the activities, student organizations, and research projects that have benefited me by reading through these emails, since there are always a wide variety of opportunities available,” says Cusimano. “Don’t let impostor syndrome get to you. I’ve gained the most from the experiences that I was initially hesitant or nervous to join.”
— Karen Phan