Sherman, Texas -- Austin College student Chizuruoke Onyedim ’26, a double major in computer science and economics, presented a co-authored research paper at the 2025 North Texas Economics Conference hosted by The University of Texas at Arlington November 15 – 16.

The research paper, titled Regional and Demographic Patterns in U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake: An Interpretable Machine Learning Analysis, examines how machine learning methods can be used to better understand public health behavior across communities. Onyedim’s presentation was well-received, with conference attendees offering constructive and encouraging feedback on both the study’s conceptual foundation and its analytical approach.

Remarkably, Onyedim was the only undergraduate student selected to present at the conference. He participated in the program alongside faculty members and Ph.D. candidates from leading institutions including Southern Methodist University, Rice University, Baylor University, UT Austin, UT Arlington, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, UT Dallas, and the University of North Texas, as well as researchers from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.

Looking ahead, Onyedim plans to pursue graduate study toward a Ph.D. in economics or data science. His academic interests lie at the intersection of data science, public health, and behavioral economics, and he is dedicated to applying data-driven methods to reveal patterns that inform real-world decision-making.

Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, pre-professional foundations, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 45 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 50 percent of students identifying as persons of color. The residential student body of approximately 1,300 students and an expert faculty of more than 100 educators allow an 11:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. Related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA), Austin College cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. The College, founded in 1849, is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.