June 1, 2026
As she prepares to start her career in data science at PNC, 2026 SCI graduate Diana Lysova is looking forward to applying what she learned at SCI and gaining new experience along the way. An incoming Quantitative Analyst at PNC, Lysova will soon develop mathematical, statistical, and machine learning models to manage risk, detect fraud, and optimize business strategies.
Lysova, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Data Science and a concentration in data analytics, was initially drawn to the program for its strong foundation in programming and mathematics. As she engaged with her coursework, she quickly fostered an enthusiasm for statistics, due to its extensive application across industries.
Throughout her four years of undergraduate studies, Lysova especially valued the flexibility of SCI’s program, allowing her to pursue additional passions while satisfying both major and general education requirements. Lysova stated, “I have always enjoyed learning languages, so for my secondary field of study I chose Chinese and studied it for four years. Being a SCI student allowed both to coexist.”
Opportunities beyond the classroom also encouraged Lysova to explore new avenues and expand her interests.
“SCI always had an event happening, and I knew I could always find support when I needed it,” she said.
While studying, she participated in several student-led extracurricular opportunities including SteelHacks, the University’s largest Hackathon hosted by the Computer Science Club at Pitt. There, Lysova’s team developed a project aimed at addressing a community-wide challenge: improving route optimization and accessibility for everyone, particularly individuals with disabilities who may face difficulties navigating Oakland.
“We wanted it to be community focused, so we implemented a setting where users could upload hazards/roadblocks/etc.," Lysova said. “There is also a rudimentary setting for altitude preference, for those with mobility issues or those who use mobility aids, to avoid steep hills as much as possible.”
The project ultimately won The Best Use of MongoDB Atlas track, a sponsored challenge recognizing applications built using MongoDB Atlas, a managed cloud database service. By taking advantage of the weekend-long Hackathon, Lysova exercised her ability to solve problems under pressure, all whilst building trust in team dynamics.
“I really learned to listen to other people and learn from not only their skills but their unique approaches to problems, which expanded my own thinking as well.”
Alongside building confidence in her skillset through extracurricular activities and multiple software engineering internships, including positions at Brown Brothers Harriman, Carnegie Mellon University, and Forevergreen, Lysova believes SCI’s resume reviews and career fairs played a vital role in supporting her professional development.
“They felt like judgment-free zones where I could go to receive real advice from people who wanted to help. SCI really focuses on helping students, which I am very grateful for.”
Though Lysova is now a SCI alumna, she acknowledges that learning doesn’t end as her professional career takes off. “I know there is so much more to learn, especially in a field like quant analysis. For anyone looking to pursue a similar career path, I would recommend statistics classes and a willingness to keep learning always.”
As she will soon navigate her role at PNC, Lysova leaves SCI with not only a strong technical foundation, but the confidence to continue growing in a constantly evolving field. Now entering the world of quantitative analysis, Lysova looks forward to applying her passion for statistics across multifaceted real-world challenges.