COI: What is your degree program, major, and any concentration you have?
Natalie: I am an Information Science PhD student with a Data Science concentration.
COI: What was your paper title?
Natalie: My paper title was “Data Curation and Quality Evaluation for Machine Learning-Based Cyber Intrusion Detection”.
COI: How did you get chosen for the award?
Natalie: This paper was the result of my collaboration with Dr. Junhua Ding and Dr. Haihua Chen last year, and it was nominated by Dr. Haihua Chen for the award.
COI: What does the award mean to you?
Natalie: I feel very happy and honored to receive this award. This award motivates me to keep working hard and reinforces my motto which is: “Aim for the moon. If you miss, you may hit a star” (William C. Stone).
COI: What other successes would you like to share?
Natalie: This year, I have been working with Dr. Ana Cleveland and Dr. Haihua Chen on a Disaster Informatics project, and I had a chance to present our preliminary results at the Doswell Conference. This was an amazing experience as it was my first time presenting at a conference.
COI: Have you overcome any obstacles and how?
Natalie: Obstacles are a part of any journey. I view failures as lessons that help me grow and overcome challenges. There are moments when I feel burned out and want to give up. In those moments, I often give myself a break so that I can come back stronger and continue the journey. This long journey would not be possible without the help and support of my family, my friends, and my mentors, and for that, I am truly thankful to have them in my life.
COI: Would you like to highlight any professor or course that has been particularly helpful to you?
Natalie: During my journey at UNT, I have had an opportunity to work with Dr. Junhua Ding, Dr. Haihua Chen, and Dr. Ana Cleveland. Their invaluable guidance and insights have not only enhanced my hard skills but also honed my soft skills, which prepare me for future work opportunities. I am very grateful to have had their support throughout this journey.