NC State University ’27
US-UK Fulbright Participant
Truman Finalist

Hi, I'm Madison Thompson

Researcher at the intersection of computer science, public health, and policy. I use data-driven and community-informed approaches to address health inequities.

View My Research → Get In Touch
About

A little about me

Madison Thompson

Bridging computation & community health

I'm a double-major in Computer Science and Science, Technology & Society (Biomedical Concentration) at NC State University. My work combines computational and statistical methods with applied experience in policy development, health systems research, and cross-cultural collaboration.

As a Fulbright UK Summer Institute participant at King's College London, Goodnight Scholar, Greenhouse Scholar, and co-founder of a national nonprofit, I'm driven by the belief that technology should serve the communities that need it most.

6
Scholarships
450+
Students Served
6
Papers & Posters
Education

Where I've studied

Expected May 2027

North Carolina State University

B.S. Computer Science • B.S. Science, Technology & Society

GPA: 3.86/4.00 • Minors in Biological Sciences, Genetics, and Mathematics

Goodnight Scholar Greenhouse Scholar Grand Challenges Scholar Franklin Scholar Dean's List
Jun – Jul 2025

King's College London

Fulbright UK Summer Institute

First Class Honours (74%) • Modern Britain: Institutions, Power, and People

Fulbright Participant First Class Honours
Aug 2019 – May 2023

STEM Early College at NC A&T

High School Diploma • AP Research Diploma

GPA: 4.7/4.0 (weighted) • AP Scholar with Distinction • Governor's School Guest Speaker

AP Scholar w/ Distinction Service-Learning Diploma
Experience

Research & Professional Work

Mar 2026
Congressional Advocacy Delegate
Fulbright Association, Washington, D.C.
Selected to represent the NC Chapter at Fulbright Advocacy Day on March 19, meeting with North Carolina congressional delegation to advocate for international education funding and policy.
Mar 2025 — Present
Undergraduate Researcher
Bioelectricity Lab, NC State • PI: Dr. Mike Sano
Engineering C and Python firmware for 2–6 kV electroporation hardware with automated waveform generation. Integrating PGA data acquisition systems and co-designing embedded architecture for novel clinical electroporation devices.
Aug 2024 — May 2025
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Schnabel Lab, NC State • PI: Dr. Lauren Schnabel
Conducted gene expression data analysis using SQL and Python for osteoarthritis treatment research. Co-authored presentation awarded Best Oral Presentation at the NC State Integrative Symposium.
Jan 2024 — Aug 2024
SIRI Scholar
Comparative Medicine Institute, NC State
Investigated effects of estrogen and progesterone on ACL tissue in a porcine model. Designed SQL databases for data management and led interdisciplinary discussions. Awarded 3rd Place Poster at the CMI Annual Summit.
Jan 2024 — Mar 2024
Cybersecurity Intern
Triangle Cyber, LLC, Raleigh, NC
Developed AWS-based CyberLab and REST API interfaces. Performed vulnerability scans with CrowdStrike and Kali Linux. Beta tested CrowdStrike's Charlotte AI solution. Completed AWS Cloud Practitioner training.
Skills

Tools & Technologies

Programming & Data
Python Java (Spring Boot) C JavaScript (React, Node.js) SQL (PostgreSQL) R AWS Data Visualization Statistical Analysis Machine Learning
Lab & Hardware
PCR Cell Culture RNA Isolation Electroporation Benchling SnapGene Firmware Dev (C/Python) PCB Design PGA Data Acquisition
Research

Selected Projects

Computational epidemiology, health equity, and interdisciplinary approaches to public health systems.

Modeling NC Cancer Inequities

Evaluated county-level social determinants of health associations with breast, lung, and colorectal cancer across 100 NC counties using OLS, Ridge, and LASSO regression models. Identified educational attainment as a consistent protective factor and produced actionable findings for NC public health policymakers.

PythonRLASSOPolicy
Read paper → View poster →

ACL Fibroblast Gene Expression

Investigated hormonal effects on anterior cruciate ligament tissue using an in vitro porcine model of pre-pubescent female development. Found progesterone has a greater effect on proteoglycan expression in ACL fibroblasts than estrogen.

NanoStringCell CultureSQL 3rd Place Poster — CMI Summit
View poster →

Clinical Electroporation Software

Full-stack optimization of a multi-state software system for novel clinical electroporation devices. Resolved multithreading security bugs, implemented fail-safe protocols, and redesigned separate clinician and researcher UIs reducing interaction from 12 clicks to 3.

CPythonEmbedded SystemsUI/UX
View poster →

Telehealth Policy for NC Medicaid

Comprehensive policy analysis evaluating three alternative approaches to sustaining telehealth access for Medicaid recipients following expiration of federal COVID-era waivers. Synthesized evidence showing telehealth reduces mortality by up to 56% for chronic-condition patients in rural populations.

Policy AnalysisEpidemiologyMedicaid
Read paper →
Publications

Papers & Presentations

Papers

Conference Abstract
Alpha2EQ Downregulates Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine, Chemokine, and Metalloproteinase Gene Expression in Cultured Inflamed Synovial Fibroblasts
Pugliese, B.R., Ruiz Rosario, F.K., Thompson, M.E., Schnabel, L.V.
American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) Surgery Summit, Seattle, WA, October 2025
Conference Presentation
Gene Expression of Equine Joint Cells Treated with Alpha-2 Macroglobulin: Preliminary Insights
Pugliese, B., Ruiz Rosario, F., Thompson, M.E., Schnabel, L.
Integrative Symposium for NC State Training Grants, January 2025
Best Oral Presentation Award
Conference Presentation
Effect of Hormones on ACL Fibroblast Gene Expression in a Porcine in vitro Model of Pre-Pubescent Female Development
Thompson, M.E., Thompson, J., Pugliese, B., Schnabel, L., Fisher, M.
Comparative Medicine Institute Annual Summit, August 2024. Podium presentation.
3rd Place Poster Award

Posters

Computational Public Health: Modeling Cancer Inequities and Designing Evidence-Based Policy Interventions
Thompson, M.E.
Grand Challenges Scholars Program Annual Meeting, February 2026
View Poster →
Full-Stack Optimization of a Multi-State Software System to Support Novel Clinical Electroporation Devices
Thompson, M.E.
Grand Challenges Scholars Program Fall Symposium, September 2025
View Poster →
Effect of Hormones on ACL Fibroblast Gene Expression in a Porcine in vitro Model of Pre-Pubescent Female Development
Thompson, M.E., Thompson, J., Pugliese, B., Schnabel, L., Fisher, M.
Comparative Medicine Institute Annual Summit, August 2024
View Poster → 3rd Place Poster Award

Invited Talks

Department of Computer Science Strategic Advisory Board
Thompson, M.E.
NC State University, November 2025. Panel discussion.
Student Leadership Panel
Thompson, M.E.
Greenhouse Scholars Annual Inspire, Boulder, CO, August 2025
Scholarships & Honors

Scholarly Involvement

Spring 2026
Truman Scholarship Finalist
Selected as a finalist for the Harry S. Truman Scholarship, a national award for aspiring public service leaders.
Mar 2026
Fulbright Global Challenges Fellows Application Reviewer
US-UK Fulbright Commission
Selected to review applications for the Fulbright Global Challenges Fellows program. Also representing the NC Chapter as Congressional Advocacy Delegate at Fulbright Advocacy Day on March 19.
Feb 2026
Greenhouse Scholars — Led NC Video Review Applications
Led the North Carolina video review process for incoming scholar applications.
Aug 2025 — Present
Goodnight Scholars — Peer Mentor
Mentoring current scholars on academic success, professional development, and leadership.
Jun 2025 — Present
Grand Challenges Scholars Program — President
NC State University Chapter
Lead board meetings and collaborate with faculty supporting 200+ engineering scholars. Previously served as External VP (Dec 2024–Jun 2025) and Delegate Committee member (Aug–Dec 2024).
Jun – Jul 2025
Fulbright UK Summer Institute
King's College London
Selected for the US-UK Fulbright Commission Summer Institute. Earned First Class Honours in comparative political institutions and social policy analysis.
Mar 2025
Greenhouse Scholars — Finalist Selection Panel (NC)
Served on the finalist selection panel for North Carolina applicants to the Greenhouse Scholars program.
Aug 2024 — Present
Goodnight Scholars — Outreach Ambassador
Deliver presentations to hundreds of prospective students and families across NC. Coordinate outreach events to connect eligible students with scholarship resources.
Aug 2024 — Present
Greenhouse Scholars — Application Reviewer
Review applications and interview candidates for the national Greenhouse Scholars program.
Aug – Dec 2024
Grand Challenges Scholars Program — REU Scholar
Completed a Research Experience for Undergraduates through the GCSP framework, integrating research, interdisciplinary learning, and service.
Jun 2024 — Present
Computer Science Ambassador
NC State Department of Computer Science
Engage in K–12 outreach programs across NC. Selected as Graduation Marshal for Spring and Fall 2025 commencement ceremonies.
Dec 2023
Franklin Scholar & Grand Challenges Scholar
NC State University • National Academy of Engineering
Named Franklin Scholar and admitted to the NAE Grand Challenges Scholars Program during first semester.
Aug 2023
Goodnight Scholar, Greenhouse Scholar, University Honors Program
NC State University • Greenhouse Scholars (National)
Entered NC State as a Goodnight Scholar, Greenhouse Scholar, and University Honors student. Elected Greenhouse Class Leader (two terms, 2023–2025) and served as UHP Journalist (2023–2024).
Leadership & Impact

Building Community

Students Leading Collaborative Computing Education

Co-Founder & Co-President • National 501(c)(3)

Co-founded nonprofit providing computing education to under-resourced high school students. Oversee two chapters across multiple states with 64 active members.

450+ students served in first year

The Box from Home Project

Co-Founder • Since 7th Grade

Founded initiative to educate youth about homelessness while dismantling stereotypes. Scaled project county-wide through partnerships with businesses, schools, and organizations.

Featured on FOX8 News

Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro

Teen Grantmaking Council Member

Served on council of 25 students to allocate $10,000 in grants to youth-led community projects. Led grant review and promoted funding opportunities across Guilford County.

Summerfield Recreation Association

Softball Coach • 2019–2022

Created adaptive game plans for athletes across skill levels. Fostered an inclusive environment and served as a role model for young women in sports.

Contact

Let's Connect

Interested in collaborating on research, discussing public health policy, or just want to say hello?

Get in touch

I'm always open to discussing research collaborations, policy work, mentorship, or opportunities that align with my interests in computational public health and equity.

Email
methom22@ncsu.edu
LinkedIn
linkedin.com/in/mthompson27
Location
Raleigh, NC