Aahil Singh ’26 Turns Inspiration to Action</h1> <article> <h1>Aahil Singh ’26 Turns Inspiration to Action</h1> <p>lcurtis2 — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 15:11:35 +0000</p> <span>Aahil Singh ’26 Turns Inspiration to Action</span> <span><span>lcurtis2</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-08-27T11:11:35-04:00" title="Tuesday, August 27, 2024 - 11:11">Tue, 08/27/2024 - 11:11</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Describe what you’re doing this summer in your internship.</strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-left"> <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Aahil Singh ’26</figcaption> </figure> <p>I spent this summer working on a transportation research paper under Professor Josh Davidson. My focus has been on measuring and improving accessibility to the transportation network, making it more equitable for people across different demographics. In particular, we looked at the concept of ‘Intercity Buses’ (imagine a bus running from Cleveland to Chicago, or from Boston to New York), and how likely people would be to take this bus instead of a flight, given that there are improvements in the current infrastructure that surround intercity buses. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>How did 91ֱ�� shape or influence you to pursue this internship?</strong></p> <p>91ֱ�� is quite active in involving students during its faculty hiring process, so I had the opportunity to meet <a href="/node/414931">Professor Davidson</a> during his research presentation back in 2022, before he officially joined 91ֱ��. Having already taken a few quantitative classes in statistics, math, and computer science, I was fascinated by how concepts from these disciplines came together in his work, and the impact it had on urban planning and transportation research. Despite not being able to take a class with him since he joined, 91ֱ��’s intimate size made his office hours very accessible, helping us keep in touch over the course of the academic year. Our ongoing relationship made it possible for us to talk about research topics that had scope for further analysis, and thus came about this project to examine intercity buses.</p> <p><strong>How does pursuing this internship align with your post-college life and career goals?</strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"> <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Aahil Singh ’26</figcaption> </figure> <p>Pursuing this internship aligns perfectly with my post-college goals, as I'm potentially aiming to go to graduate school in economics and/or data science. I’ve always enjoyed examining issues from a quantitative lens, and my work in data science this summer deepened that passion. The interdisciplinarity of the field not only sharpened my technical skills, but also reinforced my commitment to using data to tackle complex economic problems, bringing me closer to my career aspirations.</p> <p><strong>How has the liberal arts education and way of thinking shaped how you approach science and research?</strong></p> <p>91ֱ��’s liberal arts education, with its emphasis on interdisciplinary thinking, has deeply shaped how I approach science and research. This summer, my research exemplified this mindset. Instead of viewing the idea of ‘accessibility’ to transport systems (in this case, intercity buses) purely through the technical lens of data analysis, my research integrated insights from economics, psychology, urban planning, and other disciplines to inform my analysis and methodology. This approach has not only enriched my research but also allowed me to address the problems I’m studying in a more holistic and innovative way.</p> <p><em>If you're interested in a summer internship, connect with the <a href="/node/4521">Career Exploration & Development</a> team to learn more about exploring career interests, gaining real-world experience, and developing a professional network.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-10-14T12:00:00Z">Mon, 10/14/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>After being fascinated with the research of <a href="/node/414931">Assistant Professor of Statistics and Data Science Joshua H. Davidson ’12</a>, Aahil Singh ’26 decided to pursue a similar project. As a double major in <a href="/node/3371">mathematics</a> and <a href="/node/3386">economics</a> with a <a href="/node/84821">statistical modeling</a> minor and <a href="/node/413401">data science</a> concentration, Aahil appreciates how concepts can cross disciplines. Through <a href="/node/54286">Summer Experience Funding</a>, over the summer he worked on a research paper with Professor Davidson on the subject of transportation. </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4140">Summer Experience Funding</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4096">Summer Internships</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4150">Mathematics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3925">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4151">Data Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2403">Career Exploration & Development</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=84821">Statistical Modeling</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/joshua-h-davidson" hreflang="und">Joshua H. Davidson ’12</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/mathematics" hreflang="und">Mathematics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/economics" hreflang="und">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/data-science" hreflang="und">Data Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Aahil Singh ’26 presents his summer research.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">courtesy of Aahil Singh ’26</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Use It or Lose It: Railey Stern Yen Uses Fulbright to Reconnect with Taiwan</h1> <p>anagy — Thu, 25 May 2023 18:13:58 +0000</p> <span>Use It or Lose It: Railey Stern Yen Uses Fulbright to Reconnect with Taiwan</span> <span><span>anagy</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-05-25T14:13:58-04:00" title="Thursday, May 25, 2023 - 14:13">Thu, 05/25/2023 - 14:13</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Railey Stern Yen looks forward to reuniting with family and reconnecting with the education system in Taiwan as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) next fall.</p> <p>A <a href="/admissions-and-aid/double-degree-program">double-degree</a> student with majors in economics and jazz performance and a minor in statistical modeling, Stern Yen applied for the Fulbright ETA because it aligns with his goal of working with children as a clinical psychologist, both as a practitioner and researcher. Ten years ago, a great aunt was instrumental in bringing Stern Yen to Taiwan to visit and attend school, and the experience left a positive, lasting impression. </p> <p>“I think living abroad is one of the best ways to develop as a person and expand your perspective, especially when using a different language,” says Stern Yen, who is from Oakland, California. “I am on the ‘lose it’ side of ‘use it or lose it’ with Mandarin, so being surrounded by other Mandarin speakers will help me learn to adapt and grow. I also feel like I am dealing with the same ‘lose it’ feeling with Taiwanese and Chinese culture. I am trying to regain some intuitive cultural understanding that I once had as a kid. It’s poetic to return to somewhere you once were, this time with something to give instead of just receiving from others.”</p> <p>This spring, Stern Yen learned the basic theories and application of teaching language in 91ֱ��’s new Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages course. He also has experience with one-on-one tutoring for math and music. Through 91ֱ��’s Junior Practicum, he worked as a teaching assistant for OhioGuidestone, a behavioral health agency, where the therapists and social workers informed his interest in working with young people.</p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"> <figcaption>Professor of Jazz Saxophone Gary Bartz, left, chats with Railey Stern Yen.</figcaption> </figure> <p>“The existence of an established Double Degree Program helped me grow a lot from the help of teachers and mentors with very different knowledge bases, all while (mostly) retaining my sanity,” he says, noting the bonds he made with faculty mentors in <a href="/conservatory/divisions/jazz-studies">jazz</a>, <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/economics">economics</a>, and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/psychology">psychology</a>. He worked closely with his advisor, Assistant Professor of Economics <a href="/paul-brehm">Paul Brehm</a>, and he was a research assistant for psychology faculty members <a href="/clinton-merck">Clint Merck</a> and <a href="/katherine-lawson">Kailey Lawson</a>.</p> <p>“In the jazz department, I’ve had mentors who are also life coaches—particularly <a href="/gary-bartz">Gary Bartz</a>—but many others too. They helped me learn about growth and discipline in a way that I haven’t been able to find anywhere else.”</p> <p>Outside of the classroom, Stern Yen performed in the <a href="/conservatory/on-stage/ensembles">91ֱ�� Jazz Ensemble</a>, as well as a student-created Afro jazz ensemble and swing band. </p> <p>Stern Yen looks forward to immersing himself in the culture of Taiwan, including the music scene and night markets. “I want to explore as much of the country as I can, from malls in cities to vast rural areas, and just be a sponge. It doesn’t hurt that the food is delicious, including the school lunch.”</p> <p>His Fulbright begins the first of August 2023 and lasts 11 months. Following the Fulbright year, Stern Yen intends to apply for clinical psychology PhD programs, with a focus on working with children and adolescents. He also plans to find ways to continue his musical journey.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">A May 2023 graduate of the double degree program, Stern Yen will apply his experiences in teaching and working with youth.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2023-05-25T12:00:00Z">Thu, 05/25/2023 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Amanda Nagy</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2357">Double Degree Program</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2413">Social Sciences</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2370">Ensembles & Orchestras</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2356">Conservatory</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25341">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=34691">Jazz Performance</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=84821">Statistical Modeling</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/gary-bartz" hreflang="und">Gary Bartz</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/paul-brehm" hreflang="und">Paul Brehm</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/economics" hreflang="und">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/jazz-studies" hreflang="und">Jazz Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/psychology" hreflang="und">Psychology</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Railey Stern Yen will teach English in Taiwan.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones '97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> </main></body></html>