Arizona State University’s trailblazing graduates are shaping the future of data-driven decision-making

In a world drowning in data, Arizona State University (ASU) is producing the problem-solvers of tomorrow. This May, the first-ever cohort of 47 master’s graduates from ASU’s cutting-edge data science program will step into the workforce, armed with the skills to transform overwhelming information into actionable insights.

Led by Professor Rong Pan, an industrial engineering and data science expert at ASU’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, the program was designed to train specialists who can navigate the chaos of modern data. "In an era of information overload, data science isn’t just useful—it’s essential," Pan says.

The program brings together top faculty from multiple engineering disciplines, blending advanced computing, statistical modeling, and real-world research. The result? Graduates who don’t just analyze data—they unlock its hidden potential.

Among the pioneers is Dhruv Modi, who combined AI and traditional statistics in h is groundbreaking thesis, Foundation Time Series Models. "This research wasn’t just academic—it solved real-world forecasting challenges," he says.

For Professor Pan, this cohort represents more than just graduates—they’re problem-solvers ready to tackle big data’s biggest challenges. "Their expertise isn’t just timely—it’s what the world needs right now," he says.

As businesses and industries grapple with data overload, ASU’s first data science graduates are stepping up—turning noise into knowledge, and complexity into clarity.