The Northwestern Mutual Data Science Institute, in conjunction with the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Business Administration, has appointed Dr. Walter Bialkowski as NMDSI Associate Professor of Practice and Dr. Praveen Madiraju as NMDSI Professor.
The NMDSI professorships celebrate faculty who significantly contribute to the advancement of data science. Criteria include exceptional achievements in research and grant funding, as well as proven success in curricular development, teaching and mentoring of students to prepare them for the evolving needs of the data science workforce.
Bialkowski, a clinical epidemiologist and translational data scientist, came to Marquette from a career in health care. Bialkowski brings these experiences to the classroom, where he coaches students through applied learning of data science skills in their field of interest. He is a co-founding director of the Seed Scholars program, a new scholars program co-created by Marquette University and Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin. The program puts student needs first while engaging them in solving real-world problems with the potential for impact at scale.
“Being recognized for efforts that span education, research, and mentorship carries deep personal significance, as it affirms the value of our team’s work that is rooted in both rigor and service,” Bialkowski said. “NMDSI is recognizing our past accomplishments and encouraging me to continue advancing knowledge, supporting students and contributing to solutions that strengthen communities.”
Madiraju’s research is also grounded in advancing data science tools to tackle real-world challenges, particularly in healthcare. Over the course of his accomplished career, Madiraju has used techniques such as deep learning, natural language processing, and predictive modelling to develop vital applications, such as predicting PTSD risk for veterans and assessing opioid-use risk. In his Data Science and Text Analytics (DATA) Lab, Madiraju guides undergraduate and graduate students in applying techniques from data science, data analytics and generative AI to both structured and unstructured data.
“This role provides a fantastic platform to bridge the gap between academic innovation and our partners in industry and the local community,” Madiraju said. “Whether developing AI-enhanced support systems for veterans or mentoring the next generation of tech talent through hands-on research grants, I have always believed that data science should be used for the social good.”
Dr. Heather Hathaway, acting dean of the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, praises Bialkowski and Madiraju as ideal teacher-scholars.
Both ground their research and teaching in the social ethics that are foundational to Jesuit education, and in so doing, model for our students how to ‘Be the Difference’ in an increasingly technology-governed world,” Hathaway said.
The Northwestern Mutual Data Science Institute is a pioneering collaboration between Northwestern Mutual, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Marquette University. The NMDSI’s vision is to be a world-class institute that transforms our world through the power of data science with a specific focus on artificial intelligence, AI data ethics/bias, financial literacy, behavioral economics and health-wealth inequities. The NMDSI aims to inspire the next generation, cultivate a passion for data and galvanize the brightest minds in the Milwaukee region and beyond to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems.
