Cultivating and Connecting the Ecosystem and Scaling Innovations
RDS@Pitt is excited to kick off another year of RDS Connects. This fall, we’re expanding our continuing with Server-side chats, the RDS Scholar program, and deepening collaborations across campus and with our Advisory Board. We’re glad to have you with us—let’s make this a year of connection, learning, and impact in responsible data science.
The following was written by RDS student worker Anna Sheppard.
The Center for Creativity partnered with RDS@Pitt for Data Science Day 2025 to create a hands-on art installation encapsulating people’s emotions and feelings about AI throughout the conference.
The Center for Creativity (C4C) is an inspiring space that encourages bold exploration, boundary-pushing, and the joy of making, all grounded in connection and imagination.
As we look ahead to Data Science Day 2025, RDS@Pitt is excited to announce that Andy Hannah, chair of the RDS@Pitt Advisory Board and a respected leader in data science, will deliver a keynote address on the future of data.
This highly anticipated talk will explore the transformative role of data across industries and what the next era of data-driven decision-making will require from professionals, educators, and organizations alike.
Universities have long been places of tradition, yet their resilience comes from an inherent ability to evolve. As artificial intelligence (AI) and data science continue to reshape industries, research, and education, institutions must ask: How can we harness the power of AI responsibly while fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration to drive institutional innovation?
In the Feb. 28 installment of the Server-side Chat Series, Jason Westman shared his career journey and key lessons learned from his experience in IT, engineering, and product ownership.
Starting in a remote area, Jason worked his way up from a manager position at FedEx to a senior management role, where he navigated complex contract negotiations and corporate shifts. His career trajectory exemplifies an opportunistic mindset, embracing change, and leveraging diverse experiences before moving into leadership positions.
In today’s data-driven world, raw numbers aren’t enough. The real power lies in transforming data into actionable insights that drive strategic decisions.
Few people understand this better than Betsy (Elizabeth) Santillo Amato, vice president and manager of business analytics at First National Bank. On February 14, 2025, the Server-side Chat Series welcomed Betsy to share her expertise on bridging the gap between data science and business strategy—a skill that is becoming increasingly essential in finance and beyond.
The University Center for Social and Urban Research (UCSUR) is expanding its expertise in research and open data with the addition of two new appointments: Dr. Anita Zuberi and Jamaica Jones. These appointments reinforce UCSUR’s role in advancing data-driven insights and fostering open research initiatives across the University of Pittsburgh and beyond.
