Matlala (Lala) Sefale ’28 is a Data Science student at St. Lawrence University with interests in applying quantitative methods to real-world challenges, particularly in ecological and environmental research. Her research examines decision-making in obligate army-ant-following birds, using statistical modeling to better understand how multiple species select foraging sites in the Peruvian Amazon. Through this work, she has developed skills in data analysis, model selection, and scientific communication while collaborating across the fields of ecology and statistics. She plans to continue this research through the publication of the manuscript and to pursue additional interdisciplinary research that combines data science with real-world challenges. Her long-term goal is to use data-driven approaches to support evidence-based decision-making across a wide range of fields and industries.
