May 23, 2025
Graduation is finally here, and the 2025 Cornell Bowers CIS graduates have so much to be proud of. They have pursued their passions through coursework and impactful research, immersed themselves in new experiences, and created a future full of opportunity.
Below are a few of the Cornell Bowers students featured in the College of Arts & Sciences Extraordinary Journey series.
Osama Awadalla: Statistical Science
Why did you choose Cornell?
I chose Cornell because I wanted a place where I could challenge myself academically and still stay grounded in the kind of work I care about, using data and research to tackle real-world issues, especially around inequality. I’m really interested in how we can use statistics and computing in the social sciences to understand and address systemic problems, and Cornell gives me the space to do that.
Kate Chanpong: Statistical Science
What have you accomplished as a Cornell student that you are most proud of?
I am most proud of my role as a teaching assistant for STSCI 2110: Statistical Methods for the Social Sciences II, taught by Kevin Packard. As a third-semester TA for the course, I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to refining the course content and teaching approach. It's incredibly rewarding to see how small adjustments we made have positively impacted the students’ understanding of the material. This experience has not only deepened my understanding of statistical concepts but also developed my communication and leadership skills, which have been invaluable both in my academic journey and in my professional goals. Being able to help students succeed while shaping the course has been a truly fulfilling accomplishment during my time at Cornell.
Gaveal Fan: Robert S. Harrison College Scholar, Sociology & Information Science
What Cornell memory do you treasure the most?
My junior summer with the Bowers Undergraduate Research Experience was the Cornell memory I treasure the most. I was a full-time researcher under the guidance of Prof. Yian Yin and I developed a project from 0 to 1, transitioning my mindset from a student to a researcher. It was a lot of confusion, reflection and eventually a-ha moments that laid a solid foundation for my training to conduct rigorous scientific research in the future. I am extremely grateful to my advisor for not assigning me research-assisting tasks but letting me develop my own projects and giving me a sense of what scientific collaboration with him is like. I also got to experience the wonderful summertime in Ithaca, did much kayaking on Cayuga Lake, hiking in the state parks and strawberry picking on the farms nearby.
Iman Kiio: Information Science
What was your favorite class and why?
My favorite class was INFO 4505 Computing and Global Development. I really enjoyed this class because it allowed me to combine my passion for technology with my interest in service. We learned about how technology can be made accessible on a global scale. Overall, it challenged me to think deeply about how technology can be used to truly benefit communities while considering their unique needs. In the future, I plan to use my knowledge of technology to give back to society.
James Koga: Computer Science
What have you accomplished as a Cornell student that you are most proud of?
I’m the president of Cornell Music Production Club (CMP), which started off as a club of four when I took over my freshman year and is now a community of more than 100 artists, producers, creatives and mixing/mastering engineers.
Sylvan Martin: Mathematics & Computer Science
If you were to offer advice to an incoming first year student, what would you say?
Don't just go looking for easy-A classes to fulfill your distribution requirements! Those requirements are fun, and a really good opportunity to get a perspective you've never seen before or learn about a subject you previously didn't know anything about. There are so many courses to choose from that it's a near guarantee you can find a class outside your major that you still find incredibly fun and interesting.
Yi Kai Ong: Mathematics & Computer Science
How have your beliefs or perspectives changed since you first arrived at Cornell?
I've come to realize that there is nothing to fear in seeking help. Recognizing my own limitations has allowed me to embrace assistance from others, which has not only expanded my knowledge but also helped me grow and improve.
Owen Wetherbee: Physics, Mathematics & Computer Science
What are your plans for next year?
Next year I am planning to pursue a physics Ph.D. at UC Berkeley studying condensed matter physics.
Songyu Ye: Mathematics & Computer Science
How have your beliefs or perspectives changed since you first arrived at Cornell?
I’ve learned a lot about what I truly value — in both people and ideas. My time at Cornell helped me clarify my priorities, and I’ve grown more comfortable being honest with myself about what really matters.
Dean Zhang: Biological Sciences, Computer Science & Music
What have you accomplished as a Cornell student that you are most proud of?
One of my proudest accomplishments comes from my first clinical research project during freshman year, where I developed machine learning models to predict the progression of diabetic retinopathy. By analyzing retinal images and patient data, the goal was to identify high-risk patients early to enable timely interventions. Collaborating with physicians, residents and scientists introduced me to the complexities of electronic health records, the importance of accurate data extraction and coding precision and the biases embedded in clinical datasets. Working in an interdisciplinary team was especially rewarding — the clinicians brought diagnostic expertise I didn’t have, while I contributed technical skills outside their training.