| Business Analytics Bulletin
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LMU Analytics Datathon
The second annual LMU Datathon featured teams of graduate and undergraduate students from ISBA, MSBA, Math, Statistics & Data Science, and Computer Science. Participants used data from projects funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to create their final presentations and showcase their skills in storytelling with data. The competition was judged by industry leaders from Fortune 500 companies and LMU alumni. Special thanks to the Komagome ISBA/MSBA Student Success Fund. Congrats to our winning teams!
Track 1:
1st Place - Iris Gallagher, Yonathan Amare, Rafael Salonikios, Dianne Batya (ISBA students)
Track 2:
1st Place - Andrew Xu, Diego Estuar, Ella Foster, Yannick Angouo Lopez (MSBA students)
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Innovation Symposium: Disruption and Innovation in Entertainment
The third annual Innovation Symposium, Disruption and Innovation in Entertainment, delves into the digital transformation of the entertainment industry. From the ever-evolving landscape of streaming services to the role of emerging technologies, industry and academic experts will provide your gateway to understanding, adapting, and thriving in the digital evolution of this dynamic and international sector. Presented by the College of Business Administration, School of Film and Television, Center for International Business Education, and External Relations. RSVP now!
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AI and IoT in Fleets Rajit Gadh is a professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at UCLA with over 200 publications. He is also a co-founder of MOEV Inc. which specializes in creating AI-based software solutions for fleets of vehicles. In his talk at LMU, Gadh explained some of the challenges he faced and the innovations his team has pursued.
According to Gadh, there are many obstacles to overcome when it comes to electric vehicles in the field of shipping. Issues encompass a range of concerns from limited charging infrastructure and battery capacity to the optimization of energy consumption. Much of society’s infrastructure is dependent on fleets of buses and delivery trucks which have slowly begun the process of transforming from gasoline and traditional fuels to electric alternatives. MOEV’s software helps overcome these complex issues through the emerging power of AI. Their tools allow fleets to optimize charging and minimize impact on the grid. Gadh explained that MOEV’s software can precisely select an optimal charging location for individual vehicles to help with yard management and to ensure vehicles are available when needed. Gadh said that as we navigate the evolving landscape of sustainable transportation, MOEV's groundbreaking advancements stand as a testament to the transformative power of AI in overcoming obstacles and shaping a more eco-friendly future.
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ISBA Alumni MixerThis year's annual ISBA Alumni Mixer was held in the Hannon Library. We had the honor of welcoming Charles Kawata from FDH Aero, Jordan Soldo from AWS, Peter Gurka from Sidecar Health, Dylan Nakahara from Deloitte, and Nicholas Rossi from Universal. Each speaker shared insights about their current roles and talked about how they embarked on their professional journeys. The mixer was well-attended, with approximately 45 participants keen to learn and network. The interactions and discussions that took place provided everyone with a deeper understanding of the essential skills and qualities needed to thrive in today's competitive job market.
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|  | Shuwen (Lisa) Yang, M.S. '23
MSBA alumna Lisa Yang completed a capstone project for Children's Hospital LA and is currently a data analysis intern with Wedgewood. Lisa believes the MSBA program provides transformative hidden insights useful for businesses to increase their probability of success and gain a competitive advantage.
“The faculty members are consistently present to offer us support. They guide, mentor, and advise us, extending their assistance beyond just academic matters to include career development.”
| |  | Grace (Yiting) Ouyang M.S. '23
MSBA alumna Grace Ouyang is currently a business analyst at AltaMed Health Services.
“As someone who is shy to ask for help, I am truly grateful for all the meetings, panels, and opportunities that faculty have offered. Professors make themselves available day and night, seven days a week, ready to give feedback. LMU really cares about its students!”
Grace hopes to apply her knowledge gained from the MSBA program to analyze program efficiency effectively.
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|  | Dec. 4th Cybersecurity Event
AIMS alumni Savannah Bleeker and Stefan Cook gave an insightful talk about entering the cybersecurity market and the essential skills needed in this rapidly evolving field. Currently employed at cybersecurity companies Raytheon and SADA, respectively, they shared valuable insights from their experiences in the industry and emphasized the importance of continuous learning, adapting to new technologies, and understanding the latest security threats. The duo also highlighted the significance of soft skills like communication and teamwork in a cybersecurity career.
| |  | Shyam Nath Digital Twins Event
Presented by the ISBA Department in collaboration with ISBA Society, Shyam Nath discussed the topic of digital twins. Digital twins fuse AI, IoT, metaverse, and VR/AR to create digital models of real-world objects, systems, or processes. Nath explained that the importance of digital twins lies in their ability to revolutionize industries across the spectrum. They provide a deeper understanding of complex systems, enabling more informed decision-making, predictive analysis, and the optimization of operations. The future applications of digital twins are vast and promising.
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|  | Sanjay Noronha
Sanjay Noronha, a group project manager at Google Nest, was a guest speaker in the MSBA course "Digital Transformation with Fourth Industrial Revolution Technologies." Before Google Nest, he worked at a number of wireless product companies including Ruckus Wireless, Broadcom, and Telegent Systems.
Some key takeaways from his talk are a focus on customers' needs and the varying markets with network demands. He emphasized that customers want simplicity.
| |  | Samuel Nielson '25
ISBA student Sam Nielsen completed a summer internship with GHJ, where he analyzed financials to find recurring transactions. Through this Sam connected what he’s learned in the classroom to a real-world business setting.
Sam says Professor David Offenberg’s “Fundamentals of Corporate Finance” class was especially impactful. “He always told me how important internships were and how we should be looking for them to get the most out of our education."
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|  | Diego Estuar M.S. '24
MSBA student Diego Estuar is currently a full-time account executive apprentice for Promo Shop. He chose the MSBA program after completing his undergraduate degree at LMU because of its hands-on and cooperative learning environment fostered by dedicated MSBA faculty.
“I have created important relationships with my professors and other faculty members. I am continually impressed by their commitment to the MSBA program and their ability to foster an environment where students can learn.”
| |  | Minh Tran M.S. '24
MSBA student Minh Tran chose the LMU program for its dynamic and innovative nature. “I believe it will equip me with a diverse skill set that will be invaluable in any industry I choose to pursue.”
One lesson Minh has learned on his graduate student journey is the importance of recognizing the extensive support network. “The faculty members I've interacted with have shown an unwavering commitment to helping students succeed. The support and community have been a fundamental part of my experience at LMU.”
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|  | Peter Gurka M.S. '22
MSBA alumnus Peter Gurka is currently a senior business analyst at Sidecar Health. “The MSBA program was a way to differentiate myself in the marketplace for business analytics positions. I use the technical skills from the program with business logic to produce accurate, efficient, and impactful insights for Sidecar Health.”
Peter recommends that students take advantage of as many opportunities as they can. “There are always projects you can take to the next level or professors willing to let you learn and explore."
| |  | Aditya Balaram, Ph.D.
ISBA welcomes Assistant Professor Aditya Balaram to LMU. Before joining LMU in fall 2023, Aditya taught courses on business statistics and calculus at the University of South Carolina and UNC-Chapel Hill. His research focuses on retail and sustainable operations; by using game theoretic and econometric tools, his work aims to better understand how various operational decisions can impact the environment.
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|  | Christian Somoya
ISBA student Christian Somoya completed a summer internship at Advanced Management Company. “There hasn’t been a day where I was bored by the tasks I was given. I also love the workplace culture; everyone I talk to at the office is such a wealth of information.”
Accounting was a big part of his internship, and Christian credits Professor Terry Wang's instruction for his success. “Her class was rigorous, and I loved that she pushed me to truly grasp the material."
| |  | Cian O'Brien
ISBA student Cian O'Brien interned with Service Now as a business systems analyst. “Not only was every employee extremely kind and helpful, they were also passionate about the company’s mission."
The internship provided Cian with knowledge, skills, and experience in cybersecurity. “This experience inspired me to delve deeper into the ecosystem of how it all works by taking classes such as "Network and Cloud Computing.”
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|  | Arvin Mesgari, Ph.D.
ISBA is proud to announce that Arvin Mesgari received tenure and was promoted to associate professor. With research interests in data analytics, open communites, and human-computer interactions, Mesgari has helped foster the next generation of business analytics professionals.
"It has been a tough wild ride. I am grateful to my students who made me a better teacher, my co-authors who challenged me to be a better scholar, and my colleagues, past and present, for their support through this journey."
| |  | Martin Kang, Ph.D.
ISBA welcomes Assistant Professor Martin Kang to LMU. Prior to LMU, Martin taught at Mississippi State University and the University of Memphis. His expertise lies in the development and application of econometrics and mathematical modeling to address diverse business challenges.
"I've had a wonderful experience working with students and witnessing their dedication to scholastic and academic success. My aspiration is to see our students evolve into proficient leaders who can make meaningful contributions to society by harnessing the opportunities, networks, resources, and knowledge they've been equipped with."
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