When Richard Lopez decided to pivot into data science after six years as an intellectual property specialist, he wasn’t starting from scratch — he was building on a foundation shaped by criminology, technology, and a drive to create measurable impact.

Now pursuing his M.S. in Data Science at the University of Virginia, Lopez is blending analytical rigor with real-world experience to prepare for a career at the intersection of public safety, innovation, and emerging technology. His journey reflects curiosity, courage, and a willingness to step outside his comfort zone and embrace new technical challenges. Discover more about his journey into data science in this Q&A.

Tell us about your path to data science.

After six years as an Intellectual Property Specialist, I felt ready for a career change into data science. While completing my B.S. in Criminology at GMU, I also minored in information technology, which gave me basic knowledge of Python and Java. The IT minor pushed me outside my comfort zone and showed me how much I enjoyed programming.

I’m pursuing a master’s in data science to build stronger skills in statistics, programming, and math. Another reason I decided to pivot into data science is that my sibling is currently in the field of data analytics. He shared his experience in the role, which demonstrated the practical impact and the type of challenge I’m seeking in a career.

What do you hope to do with a master’s in data science?

I am confident that UVA’s M.S. in Data Science program and its robust alumni network will equip me with the advanced skills and professional connections necessary to successfully enter the data science field. I plan to apply the program’s skills to public safety analytics, using my criminology background to help law enforcement agencies detect patterns and prevent crime and terrorism.

I also intend to combine my intellectual property experience with data science to pursue hybrid roles such as patent analytics, IP valuation, or competitive intelligence analysis. Data science's versatility matches my goal of creating measurable impact, whether within a single organization or across multiple industries.

What has surprised you about the MSDS program so far?

Before starting the program, I felt a bit anxious, but after the first week, I surprisingly felt very confident. This was due to seeing the curriculum for each class and meeting the instructors. Eventually, my studies became a normal routine in my daily life. The strong support from professors, teaching assistants, and peers gave me the confidence to succeed.

The resources from office hours with the professors and collaborative study groups further reinforced my progress. What surprised me most was how quickly classroom concepts were applied in practical assignments. Although this is only my first semester, I have already learned a great deal. This progress is promising for what lies ahead, and I am excited to continue building on it.

What class do you look forward to taking?

One of the elective classes I’m looking forward to is DS 5002 – How to Train Your LLM: Engineering for Custom Tasks. I’m eager to learn about the LLM lifecycle and get experience with building/training my own model. Creating a HuggingFace model card is a great way to demonstrate your technical expertise and communication skills during interviews.

What advice would you give to someone considering a master’s in data science?

I would encourage anyone who has an interest in gaining technical skills, statistical rigor, and continuous learning to consider applying to the program. There is a strong demand for data expertise, which opens diverse roles and career advancement paths.

UVA’s online MSDS offers flexibility that I view as a major advantage, yet it still offers the same academic rigor, wealth of resources, and opportunities available to the in-person residential MSDS students. It’s never too late to start, and the program welcomes students from all diverse backgrounds, which is represented in my cohort.

What are some fun facts about yourself?

I am a passionate soccer fan who enjoys both playing and watching the game. I support Real Madrid and the U.S. national team. Soccer is continuously growing in the States, and the United States was given the opportunity to host the World Cup in 2026. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and I couldn’t bear to miss out, so I will be attending a WC group stage match in Houston, Texas. I also hope to visit Spain someday to see Real Madrid play at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

Learn more about the part-time, 100% online M.S. in Data Science at the University of Virginia. Request more information, connect with Admissions, or start your application today.

M.S. in Data Science, Online