King's launched the Summer Cooperative Education Program in Analytics and Decision Sciences, a pilot co-op project, during July. The project, under the supervision of Dr. Felipe Rodrigues, Associate Professor of Analytic and Decision Sciences in the School of Management, Economics, and Mathematics (MEM), involved a partnership between King's and the London District Catholic School Board (LDCSB).
King's welcomed LDCSB high school student Aashrith "Ash" Raj Tatipamula, who worked for four weeks on the research project "Using Machine Learning Algorithms to Predict G/G/s Queue Performance from Simulation-Based Datasets."
This project, more information about which can be found here, used machine learning to predict how long people wait in line (called "waiting time") in systems such as call centers or hospitals, where arrivals and service times are random. Tatipamula made fake data using a computer program and tested three models to determine which could best predict waiting time. Tatipamula hopes to use real-world data in the future and improve the models to handle more complex situations.
"Despite being just 16 years old and entering Grade 12 this fall, Ash impressed everyone with his work ethic, problem-solving skills, and final presentation, which showcased professional-level research and technical ability," says Dr. Rodrigues.
"From theory to application, this internship has sharpened both my technical and research skills and, more importantly, it has inspired me to pursue meaningful work that solves real-world problems," says Tatipamula. In a LinkedIn post, he thanked Dr. Rodrigues for his mentorship and the entire School of MEM for the experience.
Dr. Rodrigues says the success of the pilot project has demonstrated "the incredible potential of involving gifted high school students in research at King's." With plans to expand the program next summer, this will be a chance for more students to gain hands-on research experience and explore pathways into post-secondary studies at King's.
