From Tunisia to Bethel and Beyond: Meriem Dhouibi’s Journey Through Research
Bethel sophomore finds opportunity and connection through data science at EMU
For Meriem Dhouibi, a sophomore from Tunis, Tunisia, majoring in mathematics and computer science at Bethel College, studying in the United States has provided opportunities to expand her academic experience beyond the classroom.
This past summer, Dhouibi participated in a research project at James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, Virginia, focusing on the use of statistical modeling to predict river flow.
Dhouibi first became interested in data-driven research through her coursework in mathematics and statistics at Bethel. Wanting to gain practical experience, she reached out to professors at several universities whose research aligned with her interests.
“I knew I liked statistics and math,” Dhouibi said. “I emailed professors from different universities whose research matched my interests, and a few replied — including ones from EMU and James Madison University.”
After several discussions, she was invited to assist with research under the supervision of Dr. Hasan Hamdan, a professor from James Madison University. Getting to Virginia, however, required flexibility and determination.
“I took the train to Chicago, stayed there for a week with family friends, and then went to Virginia with no specific plan,” she said.
Once there, Dhouibi stayed with a Palestinian family and met her research supervisor, who happened to be a friend of the family she was staying with.
“We had a great conversation,” she shared. “He told me to come to his office the next morning and said he had several projects that needed assistance. I told him I’d be happy to help.”
The project Dhouibi worked on was titled “Statistical Framework for Cross-Dataset Validation of Terrain Indicators in Virginia’s Debris Flow Prediction.” She was responsible for cleaning datasets and applying logistic regression, a statistical modeling method, to predict whether debris flow would occur in specific regions.
“He gave me three different datasets,” Dhouibi said. “I cleaned the data and used logistic regression to predict the likelihood of debris flow in certain areas.”
Throughout the research process, Dhouibi strengthened her skills in data analysis, problem-solving and scientific communication. She also had the opportunity to present her findings at a summer research symposium for students participating in Research Experiences for Undergraduates programs.
Outside of her academic work, Dhouibi found time to explore the area and connect with others.
“My friend Andrew had a bike, and I would bike for about 20 minutes a day,” she said. “After 6 p.m., we often played pickleball, attended local events or spent time with friends. It was a good balance between work and free time.”
Reflecting on her summer, Dhouibi said the experience taught her to be adaptable and confident in new environments.
“I was confident in my ability to learn,” she said. “You think everyone knows everything, but most people are still learning new skills and adjusting as they go.”
Back at Bethel, Dhouibi continues to apply that mindset in her academics and campus involvement. She works as a community assistant and tutor and participates in student organizations, balancing academics with leadership and service.
Her classmate Joshua Suazo, a sophomore from Andover, said Dhouibi’s work ethic and involvement stand out on campus.
“Meriem was the first person I met at Bethel College, and I am so grateful that I did because she is such an extremely bright and talented individual,” Suazo said. “It impresses me how much she does on campus and how involved she is.”
He added that her energy and willingness to help others have made a positive impact on the community.
“She can always be found helping people, working and making life on campus better,” Suazo said.
Suazo also emphasized the courage it takes to pursue opportunities far from home.
“It takes so much courage to do what she does,” he said. “She’s come so far from home and continues to make a difference in everything she’s involved in. I’m proud to call her a friend.”
Looking ahead, Dhouibi plans to continue exploring research opportunities that combine her interests in astrophysics, data science and engineering. She hopes to use computational and mathematical tools to study large-scale scientific questions in future research or graduate studies.
“Research gives you the chance to apply what you learn in the classroom to real-world problems,” she said. “It helps you understand the impact of your work and what you can contribute.”
“Research gives you the chance to apply what you learn in the classroom to real-world problems.”
Meriem Dhouibi