For Missouri State University graduate students Gentle Engworo and Selma Bouraoui, numbers have always been more than formulas on a page. They became a lens for understanding the world.

Their drive to deepen that understanding led both students to Missouri State University in spring 2024. This December, they will receive their master’s degrees.

Growing as researchers

A native of Abuja, Nigeria, Engworo, will soon complete his master’s degree in mathematics and a Data Science Graduate Certificate. He has an undergraduate degree in industrial mathematics and computer science from Covenant University in Nigeria.

His thesis used deep learning models to predict real estate prices, blending math and data science into work he hopes to publish soon.

Despite starting later than planned, finishing his project was a turning point for him.

“It showed that there’s nothing I can’t do,” Engworo said.

Born and raised in Sousse, Tunisia, Bouraoui earned her bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics from Paris Dauphine University – PSL in France. She will graduate with a master’s degree in computer science and a Data Science Graduate Certificate.

“Coming from an applied math foundation, earning these two qualifications reflects both an expansion of my technical background and a true commitment to the field I want to build my career in,” she said.

“Through roles as a lab instructor, grader and tutor, I found my place in the research community I’ve long admired and aspired to join.”

She calls her thesis her most defining academic achievement.

“I developed an AI-driven method to detect malware that maintains high performance in terms of detection while using far fewer resources than traditional approaches,” she said. “By focusing on the patterns of how programs behave, my system can identify even new or unusual malware efficiently.”

The long hours of reading, experimenting and refining helped her develop intuition, something she believes separates strong researchers from great ones.

Finding community and confidence

Engworo found a home at Missouri State through the welcoming support of the mathematics faculty. Besides working as a graduate teaching assistant for mathematics, he took the opportunity to get involved on campus — leading Impact Fellowship as president and mentoring young learners through the Young Mathematics Teacher Academy. These experiences strengthened his leadership skills.

“The community aspect of Missouri State has been one of my highlights. All organizations made me feel so welcomed,” he said.

Bouraoui built her sense of belonging through participating in campus life. She joined the MSU Pickleball Club and Tennis Club, cheered at Bears athletics events and connected with peers through the Association of International Students. Representing Tunisia on campus motivated her to bring her best to every class, project and activity.

“What stood out to me the most was living on an American campus,” she said. “I enjoyed immersing myself in a setting that felt very different from the academic environments I had known before.”

Applying their skills beyond the classroom

Both students took the initiative to put their knowledge into practice and expand their impact. Engworo judged campus math competitions and taught local students. He also completed internships in Nigeria and the U.S., where he applied data analytics to real-world challenges. These experiences strengthened his drive to pursue a PhD and continue doing research.

Like Engworo, Bouraoui broadened her skills through internships in research labs, consulting, industry and banking, tackling projects from forecasting to financial technology. Her most recent internship at Cognira, a fast-growing AI company, was her favorite one.

“During my time there, I worked on improving sales forecasts, detecting unusual patterns and testing tools to make predictions more accurate,” she said.

In addition, her graduate assistant role in the computer science department allowed her to mentor others and grow as a researcher and leader.

Ready for the next chapter

According to Engworo and Bouraoui, Missouri State taught them two key lessons: trust your abilities and ask for help when you need it.

As they move on to the next phase of their lives, Engworo plans to publish more research and pursue advanced studies. Bouraoui looks forward to new professional challenges, continued learning and exploring more of the country she now calls a second home. In the end, she hopes to honor her family’s trust.

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