The Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems finished the Fall 2024 semester in celebratory fashion, and one of the highlight events was the Seidenberg Annual Research Day. This distinguished conference showcases both groundbreaking research and outstanding student papers, all while fostering an environment that encourages active participation from faculty and students. The primary aim of the Seidenberg Annual Research Day is to facilitate a platform for learning and sharing recent advancements in Computer Science, Data Science, and Information Technologies. The conference, led by Seidenberg professor Sung-Hyuk Cha welcomes a diverse array of participants, including seasoned researchers and aspiring students, creating an inclusive space for academic exchange.

The 2024 event began with opening words from Seidenberg’s Dean Li-Chiou Chen and Pace University’s Provost Jonathan Hill. Following their introductions, students set up posters with visual presentations of their research, which they then presented to faculty and attendees while also participating in rapid oral presentations and answering questions about their work. The diverse range of topics of the students’ work spanned across a wide array of industries, including healthcare, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, finance, education, virtual reality, and technology driven social platforms.

Following the students’ presentations, the event featured three faculty speakers from Seidenberg. Assistant Professor Dr. Soheyla Amirian’s talk, Fair and Responsible AI in Medical Imaging Informatics, highlighted challenges and solutions for ensuring fairness and responsibility in AI-powered medical imaging informatics. Focusing on widely accessible and cost-effective imaging modalities such as plain radiographs (X-rays), her presentation explored computational strategies to first detect and then mitigate biases and enhance AI algorithm impartiality. Her work underscores the importance of responsible AI practices to ensure that medical imaging technologies are safe, equitable, and beneficial for all.

Following the first presentation, Dr. Jonathan Williams, Clinical Assistant Professor of Human-Centered Design at Seidenberg, continued with his talk on Designerly Knotting in Beginning Design Education. His talk explored how knot tying, when positioned within the design domain, serves as a constructionist learning tool. This research examined two instructional cases: one in which academically gifted high school students engaged with designerly knotting in a summer residential program, and another in which adult learners utilized it as part of career training. The findings demonstrated that designerly knotting can stand alone, or stand alongside, other beginning design activities and exercises that teach beginning design.

Wrapping up the trio of speakers was Dr. Yegin Genc, the Chairperson of the Information Technology Department at Pace. His presentation on the Role of AI Explanations in Augmented Decision Making investigated how AI-generated explanations influence human judgment in decision-making processes. Recent studies have revealed that when AI provides recommendations, decision-makers engage in two key metacognitive processes: system-monitoring, where they assess the validity of AI suggestions, and self-monitoring, where they evaluate their own knowledge and beliefs. His work examined the effects of AI explanations, those typically used to evaluate the correctness of AI recommendations, on augmented decision making from the perspective of these cognitive mechanisms.

After all of the presentations were concluded, the 2024 conference was closed with awards and closing remarks. The entire Seidenberg team wants to congratulate the students and faculty who participated in the event and highlighted the incredible level of excellence that is driving the entire school forward. In the words of Provost Hill, “these abstracts represent original research and though-provoking problems pertinent to Computer Science and Information Systems. We commend all contributors for their dedication and innovation and thank them for enriching this conference with their work.”

If you want to learn more about the students’ presented research projects, you can find them all listed on the event’s website link below.

Seidenberg Annual Research Day website

Stephanie Sicilian (MS in Information Systems ’26), began her Pace journey as an undergraduate Biology major and a student-athlete on the women’s volleyball team on Pace’s Pleasantville campus. Being a curious and driven person both on and off the court, after Stephanie found her passion for technology, she transferred into the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems and graduated with a BA in Computer Science, along with a minor in Business. Today, she is a student leader pursuing her Master’s in Information Systems with a concentration in Data Science at Pace’s New York City campus, and constantly setting standards both in the classroom and in all the research projects she is involved in—as you are about to find out from this interview with her.

At Seidenberg, Stephanie was able to finally find the opportunities that her passion for technology always wanted to explore, but was never able to in her high school surroundings.

Seidenberg’s accredited programs, cutting-edge facilities, and hands-on learning opportunities gave me the foundation I needed to succeed.

While she had a general interest in tech and computer science when she enrolled into Seidenberg, Stephanie continued to say that “the rapid growth of artificial intelligence across industries inspired me to deepen my understanding of this groundbreaking field. This is why I chose to stay at Seidenberg for my master’s degree—because of the incredible support I’ve received from faculty and peers across both campuses.”

In the first semester of her master’s program, the Information Systems Principles course set the stage for some of Stephanie’s most impactful experiences. In that class, she had an opportunity to write a conference paper and develop a full-stack working prototype. Under the guidance of Dr. Youngsoo Shin, she worked with her peers Himanish Nellutla and Dundi Vyshnavi Durga Majji as the team leader to successfully develop an AI-powered stock investment risk calculator, designed to help novice investors make more informed financial decisions. For Stephanie, one of the most important lessons she learned “was the importance of delivering a quality user experience.” The team’s research heavily focused on understanding the needs of end users, so they conducted voluntary surveys with Pace students to collect critical feedback that shaped the tool’s accessibility and usability.

This project, combining research, technical development, and leadership while solving real-world problems in a user-focused way, only reinforced Stephanie’s passion for tech. “The experience taught me how to balance technical work with leadership responsibilities, but also deepened my appreciation for user-centered design. Writing the conference paper taught me how to present technical ideas for an academic audience, while leading the team allowed me to develop project management and teamwork skills.”

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But, Stephanie’s passion for innovation extends far beyond the classroom. As a graduate assistant to Dr. Christelle Scharff, she has been instrumental in the development of the new Pace AI Lab. In this role, she has worked on building machine learning models, training convolutional neural networks (CNNs), and developing Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs). Her technical contributions have helped shape the lab into a resource for students eager to explore artificial intelligence.

Beyond technical contributions, Stephanie has continued to take on leadership. She has expanded the lab’s presence on campus by hosting events and collaborating with other student organizations to create joint workshops. For example, Stephanie mentioned that “as the Communications Lead for the Google Developer Group on campus, I took the initiative to reach out to certified Google Developer Experts and invited them to speak at our club events. One of the highlights of this role was bringing in tech prodigy Tanmay Bakshi, an AI software architect at IBM, to share his expertise with our community.” Another great opportunity was attending the NYC Google Developer Fest 2024, where she engaged closely with event panelists and got to discuss the importance of inclusivity in emerging technologies.

Stephanie also shared that a standout event for her was hosting the AI Show and Tool workshop in collaboration with the AI Lab, where she and her fellow club members presented AI-driven academic tools to help students enhance their learning. “What made this event truly special was the overwhelming turnout of students who came not only to learn, but to present their own tools as well. The room was fully engaged, with lively discussions and an incredible exchange of ideas that showcased the impact of AI on academic and personal productivity.”

The collaborative environment, access to advanced tools, and opportunities for innovation make Seidenberg the ideal place to prepare for a future in AI and technology.

If all this hunger for innovation wasn’t impressive enough, Stephanie has also stayed connected to her athletic background by returning to her high school as a volunteer coach for the girls’ volleyball team. “As a former captain who led the program to its first state championship title, it was incredibly fulfilling to give back to the team and program that shaped my foundation in teamwork and leadership. Coaching allowed me to mentor and help young athletes in my community grow in the sport. It also provided a meaningful balance to my academic and technical work, serving as a reminder of the importance of discipline, teamwork, and resilience—qualities that have been essential in both my athletic and professional pursuits.”

To wrap up our conversation, we asked Stephanie to name three things that she believes would describe the Seidenberg school. She said that, “First, the supportive community at Seidenberg truly stands out. I was immediately welcomed by faculty, staff, and peers who were eager to help me succeed. This sense of belonging made the transition from another major seamless and inspired me to fully embrace the opportunities available within the field and deepen my passion for learning.”

Secondly, Stephanie pointed out Seidenberg’s emphasis on hands-on learning. Putting in succinctly, Stephanie went on to mention that “from developing machine learning models in the AI Lab to building full-stack prototypes in class, I’ve gained practical experience that bridges the gap between theory and application. Seidenberg’s computing resources, including access to high-performance computing systems and state-of-the-art labs, have been crucial in supporting my technical projects and research endeavors.”

And finally, Stephanie pointed out that “Seidenberg provides incredible opportunities for growth and innovation The school fosters an environment where students can explore cutting-edge technology, network with industry professionals, and showcase their creativity.”

The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University is proud to announce the selection of its third annual class of Sustainable Business Law Hub Student Scholars (Hub Scholars). The Hub Scholars Program was launched in 2023 as an integral part of the Sustainable Business Law Hub in fostering the next generation of legal leaders in sustainable business and ESG (environmental, social, and governance). An incredible benefit of being one of the selected Hub Scholars is the opportunity to participate in a coveted ESG internship or externship at prestigious law firms, financial institutions and businesses.

“The Pace | Haub Environmental Law Hub Scholars Program has been a tremendous initiative for our Sustainable Business Law Hub,” said Jason Czarnezki, Kerlin Distinguished Professor of Environmental Law and Associate Dean of Environmental Law Programs and Strategic Initiatives, as well as inaugural Faculty Director of the Hub. “Our Scholars gain ESG experience in a variety of settings, as interns at law firms and working with in-house legal teams. These experiences have allowed our top students interested in ESG and sustainable business to pursue their interests in a meaningful way.”

The Sustainable Business Law Hub Scholars Program offers a unique blend of curriculum, scholarship, and mentorship for students pursuing careers in sustainable business law and ESG law. This highly selective program is tailored for students with exceptional entrance credentials and a clear, passionate vision for careers at the intersection of sustainability, business law, and environmental law.

As Hub Scholars, students gain hands-on experience in promoting sustainable business practices through internships or externships. These placements may involve working with ESG practice groups at law firms, collaborating under the guidance of in-house counsel at corporate entities, or supporting NGOs and government bodies in the ESG field. Additionally, Hub Scholars benefit from targeted training workshops and preparatory programs, working closely with faculty supervisors and seasoned mentors in the field. This supportive structure empowers students to refine their interests, build their professional networks, and access potential career opportunities.

“During my time as a Sustainable Business Law Hub Scholar, I have had the opportunity to connect with students, professors, and professionals within the sustainable business space broadly. These connections have allowed me to learn about a diverse range of topics within the “ESG" space,” Hub Scholar 2024–2025, Morgan Martin shared. “Furthermore, having the opportunity to intern with Paul Weiss in their ESG and Sustainability Practice has allowed me to see first-hand what an "ESG lawyer” entails. I look forward to continuing to learn from my fellow Hub Scholars, Professors, and Board Members as the Sustainable Business field evolves.”

Over the course of their studies, students receive curricular guidance that will allow them to receive the Advanced Environmental Law Certificate while pursuing courses relevant to sustainable business law, including the Business Law Path to Practice and the option to pursue an MBA with the Lubin School of Business as part of the joint JD/MBA program. Haub Law also offers courses on sustainable business law which include topics such as the definition of ESG, corporate responsibility and the triple bottom line; the role of the corporate board in achieving sustainability; social impact investing and ESG ratings; and ESG and climate disclosures, voluntary ESG reporting and risk management. Importantly, Hub Scholars will also have access to a wide network of Haub Law alumni, Lubin alumni, the Hub’s Advisory Board, and subsequent Hub Scholar alumni, who serve as mentors to new Hub Scholars.

Haub Law’s Sustainable Business Law Hub serves as an incubator space, student-training program, research endeavor, and think tank devoted to addressing global sustainability challenges through policy and research projects, relationships with the business community, and capacity building in private environmental governance. The Hub incorporates the three pillars of sustainability—economic, social and environmental welfare—into global business practices by engaging in research and policy development, improving public law and governance, and working with existing industry, the small business community, startups, and the community at-large to develop and employ innovative private environmental models and sustainability practices, such as those that promote a circular economy. Working hand-in-hand with faculty experts, students participating in the Hub receive practical training and experience in using the law to foster sustainable business practices.

Biographies of New Class of Hub Student Scholars

Karina Krul is a JD candidate pursuing the Advanced Certificate in Environmental Law at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. This Fall, she began pursuing her Master of Environmental Management at the Yale School of the Environment. Karina graduated in 2019 with a BS in Marine Biology from the University of New Haven. She completed her Honors Thesis on how environmental awareness affects attitudes toward sustainable development, which she presented at the 2019 Society of Applied Anthropology Annual Meeting. In the Spring of 2024, Karina was a junior associate for Pace International Law Review and an intern with the Permanent Mission of Costa Rica to the United Nations. Additionally, Karina began her work as a Law Clerk at Richman Law & Policy in the Spring of 2024 focusing on impact litigation firm that uses consumer protection law to hold corporations accountable for their environmental representations. Karina is passionate about a future that operates through inclusive, environmentally sound governance by ensuring every stakeholder gets a seat at the table. This summer, she will be a law clerk with Earthjustice.

Morgan E. Martin is in her final year of her JD degree at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. She graduated from Rollins College in 2021 with a degree in Public Policy and Political Economy. Before coming to law school, she moved to Bali Indonesia to volunteer for an NGO where she taught English and sustainability lessons in a local village and worked on a coral reef restoration project. Last year, Morgan was Vice-Chair for the Jeffery G. Miller National Environmental Moot Court Competition and was a research intern at the Pace Energy and Climate Center. This past summer she was a summer associate at Fenwick & West in their corporate practice and will return to Fenwick & West as an entry-level associate after graduating. She is currently an Acquisitions Editor for Pace Environmental Law Review as well as an intern for Paul Weiss’s ESG & Sustainability Advisory Practice. She plans to graduate with an Advanced Certificate in Environmental Law.

Samuel de Carvalho is a Brazilian attorney currently pursuing an LLM in Environmental Law, specializing in Energy and Climate Change Law, at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. After completing his Bachelor of Laws at the Federal University of Ceará in 2022 and working as an attorney in the private sector, Samuel decided to explore the intersection between this sector and environmental law. Samuel serves as a research assistant for the Global Center for Environmental Legal Studies, where he helps organize and draft IUCN motions for the 2025 IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi. In addition, Samuel is the Written Content Vice Chair for both the ABA SEER Climate Change and ESG & Sustainability Committees, where he manages article editing and content creation. He also holds the role of LLM Liaison for Haub Law’s Environmental Law Society.

Samuel has a deep interest in global climate discussions as well, volunteering at COP28 with Legal Response International and being selected by YOUTHCOP to participate in COP 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. His recent publications include articles on SEC rules impacting registrants’ value chains and clean energy incentives for the implementation of ground source heat pumps under energy savings performance contracts. In 2024, he began interning with the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA), focusing on improving social and environmental performance in the mining sector.

Lauren Lynam is a JD candidate at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University and is also pursuing her Master of Environmental Management at the Yale School of the Environment. She graduated in 2021 from Chapman University with a BA in Economics and BS in Environmental Science and Policy. While in law school, Lauren has joined many organizations and is currently a Co-Editor-in-Chief of Urban Lawyer Law Journal; Productions Editor on the Pace Environmental Law Review; Co-Vice Chair for the ABA Section of Energy, Environment and Resources’ ESG Committee; and Student Ambassador at Haub Law. This past summer, she worked as a Summer Associate at Cuddy & Feder and is continuing as a Law Clerk through the school year. She aims to continue her efforts in the ESG space, merging the practices of economics, science, and policy through law. She is also pursuing the Advanced Certificate in Environmental Law.

Harrison Bench is a JD Candidate at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, where he is pursuing the Advanced Certificate in Environmental Law. Next fall, he will begin his Master of Environmental Management at the Yale School of the Environment. In 2023, Harrison graduated summa cum laude from the University of South Carolina Honors College with a degree in Environmental Policy. He is currently Programs Vice Chair of the ABA SEER Environmental Law Society Network, Bailiffs Vice Chair for the National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition, a Land Use Law Scholar/Research Lead, and a Junior Associate for the Pace Environmental Law Review. This past summer, Harrison worked as a legal intern for EPA Region 2 in their water and general law branch. He presently serves as Deputy Executive Director of Students for Climate Action, a regional environmental non-profit. As a Hub Scholar, Harrison is eager to learn more about how the corporate sector can help local governments, small businesses, and other under-resourced stakeholders pursue sustainability initiatives and comply with relevant environmental laws.

Haoting Guo is a JD candidate at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, pursuing an Advanced Certificate in Environmental Law. She graduated from the University of California, Davis, with a BS in Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning in 2021. Before attending law school, Haoting served as an operations intern at an NGO focused on biodiversity advocacy. During her first year at Haub Law, she developed a strong passion for promoting sustainable business practices within corporate settings, which drove her to become a Hub Scholar. Haoting interned with the Energy and Environmental Law Department at Consolidated Edison this past summer. She currently serves as a student editor for the Urban Lawyer.