Anita Ahmed is pursuing a Master of Science degree in Applied Urban Science and Informatics (MAUSI) at NYU-Centre of Urban Science and Progress (CUSP). Anita has a bachelors in Mechanical Engineering from Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada and is currently working as a Mechanical Systems Designer at MTA-New York City Transit (NYCT). Her current position at NYCT has allowed her to develop an understanding of how large cities respond to urban challenges like population growth and maintenance. While she has learned a lot in this position, she believes that with advanced education and training, she could be of greater service to the transit system. Anita's academic and professional experience has guided her to determine that her true interest is to specialize in an area that combines the application of mathematics, statistics, computer programming and urban development. Through her graduate work, Anita will learn how to work with big data set at all stages of data lifecycle from acquisition to visualization. She will learn about data acquisition and management, integration and analytic skills, data optimization and simulation modeling and be better at decision making by developing problem-solving methods using basic modelling and analytical methods. Anita will also be able to utilize data to better understand transportation system and operation and will acquire the technical skills to learn about critical problem solving methods that can be applied to address the fundamental problems and challenges of transportation operation, planning, and policy development. Being able to apply data analytics to improve urban transportation, that could potentially affect the lives of millions of NYC commuters every day, would be her ultimate career achievement.