University of Michigan School of Information doctoral candidate Yulin Yu is a 2024 Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) Rising Star. 

The program is “an intensive workshop for graduate students and postdocs of historically marginalized or underrepresented genders who are interested in pursuing academic careers in electrical engineering and computer science” according to the website. 

About 70 participants engaged in three days of mentorship, advice and networking at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in October. 

“My experience at the EECS Rising Star conferences has been incredibly valuable,” Yu says. “It really inspired me to grow as a scholar and to think more about how my work can create a meaningful impact in the real world. It also marked an important transition for me—from being a student to stepping into the role of a research professional, working toward a future professorship. The conference gave me practical insights on how to move forward in that journey.”

Yu says the program inspired her to focus even more on how her work can make a difference beyond academia. 

“I realized the value of collaborative work both within research teams and with people outside of academia, like business professionals or policymakers.” Yu says. “Actively communicating with these groups allows us to share our findings, understand the challenges they face, and explore ways our research can offer meaningful solutions.” 

Yu, a fifth year PhD candidate at UMSI, researches how individuals can leverage data, technology and people in a creative way to drive innovation across science, art and the workplace. Her most recent paper, “Does the Use of Unusual Combinations of Datasets Contribute to Greater Scientific Impact?” investigated whether combining datasets, especially datasets that are not typically combined, can lead to more impact in the form of citations and mentions of scientific findings in the news and social media. 

Yu’s thesis advisor is UMSI associate professor Daniel Romero. She hopes to graduate next year. 

“In terms of applying for EECS, I think my biggest piece of advice is to think deeply about what you want to contribute to academia now and in the future,” she says. “I’d also like to emphasize the importance of just being yourself and presenting who you are.” 

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Apply to next year’s EECS Rising Star Workshop. 

Learn more about Yulin Yu’s research interests by visiting her UMSI profile and personal website. 

Check out UMSI’s PhD in Information program!