Table of Contents

Education

  1. M.S. in Computer Science, University of Massachusetts Amherst
  1. B.S. in Informatics & Data Science, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Skills

  • Strong programming skills in R, Python, and SQL.
  • Effective written, presentation, and data-driven storytelling skills that enable communication with diverse stakeholders and large audiences.
  • Demonstrated ability to independently design and execute experiments and lead all stages of common data science pipelines on a cross-functional basis.
  • Passionate about incorporating accessible and human-centered user experience (UX) design into business and client-facing efforts.
  • Capable of managing projects and developing their scope and delivery timelines in a product management capacity.
  • Knowledgeable of agile software development practices, Git, test-driven development, and configuration as code.
  • Creative, entrepreneurial, self-motivated, and results-oriented professional.

Professional Experience

  1. MassMutual, Boston, MA

  • Data Scientist (2019 - Present)

    • Implements and maintains data ingestion, exploring, modeling, and validation steps of data science pipelines using R, Python, and SQL.
    • Experience with leveraging machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), and generative AI (GenAI) to implement predictive models and drive decision making throughout health and wellness, life underwriting, marketing, and finance related projects.
    • Collaborates with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to provide data science insight necessary to develop and deploy business and client-facing products.
    • Independently produces high-quality research and presentations to disseminate project insights.
    • Mentors and provides career guidance to rising professionals and students via external events and independent appointments.
    • Leads team-building efforts to engage co-workers in meaningful ways.

  • Generative AI Technical Product Management (2023 - 2024)

    • Steered the cross-functional development plan and successful launch of three business-facing GenAI pilots used by hundreds of internal users.
    • Led Scrum ceremonies e.g. sprint planning, sprint retrospectives, backlog refinement, and stand-ups, that supported timely project deliveries, the integration of stakeholder feedback, and the evolution of project requirements for three GenAI pilots.
    • Developed extensive training manuals, documentation, and user acceptance testing (UAT) sessions to establish trust and confidence among business stakeholders, compliance partners, and AI governance regulators.
  1. University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA

  • Informatics Major Peer Advisor (2018 - 2019)

    • Produced resources pertaining to career planning and academic journey navigation to comprehensively support undergraduate informatics major peers.
    • Conveyed experiences pertinent to the informatics curriculum to aid peers with course selection and career planning.
    • Galvanized participation, ensured peers were aware of what they could accomplish, and shared relevant opportunities—available at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and beyond—to enable peers to take advantage of them.
    • Conducted tabling events to inform and answer questions from prospective students, educators, parents, and university stakeholders.

Research Experience

  1. Insurtech Research: Life Insurance & Wearable Technology, MassMutual, (2020 - 2023)
    • Investigated health and wellness informed by wearable technology from the perspective of insurtech—the crossroads of insurance and technology—to explore how health and wellness data can supplement life insurance underwriting processes and produce new avenues for obtaining life insurance.
    • Analyzed the impact of accelerometer and biological lab data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in random survival forest (Ishwaran et al., 2008) mortality modeling.

  1. Honors Thesis: Step Count and Intensity in Virtual Reality (VR) Exergaming & Traditional Physical Activity (PA), University of Massachusetts Amherst, (2018 - 2019)

    • Developed award-winning research that analyzed step count and step intensity differences between virtual reality (VR) exergaming and traditional physical activity. VR exergaming consists of gamified exercising paired with VR; traditional PA is what one can carry out in a typical gym.
    • Demonstrated how exergaming with compelling entertainment technology like VR headsets and handheld controllers can be used to foster meaningfully engaging and productive physical activity among six college-age study participants.

    Abstract:

    It is commonly known that physical activity (PA) is beneficial to health. Unfortunately, despite the apparent benefits, obtaining consistent and adequate PA is not feasible for all people. Fortunately, a burgeoning alternative option is virtual reality (VR) exergaming (i.e. gamified exercising). It is often conducted with VR and/or modified exercise equipment. It can be done in short bouts at the user’s convenience and the necessary technology is accessible. Data produced by six recruited study participants showed that VR exergaming elicits PA that is less intense compared to traditional PA in terms of step count and step intensity. Additionally, subjective data showed that VR exergaming is more enjoyable than traditional PA for some. Ultimately, although VR exergaming is not as intense, it is far more enjoyable and can supplement PA needs alongside traditional PA.

    Thesis Video Overviews:

    • #MyHonorsThesis
      • The #MyHonorsThesis competition requested that participants to submit a 45 second clip that described their research.
      • My thesis was selected as the winner and has been used to showcase the standard for honors thesis research.
    • W.E.B Du Bois Library Digital Media Lab (DML) Virtual Reality (VR) Competition
      • The DML VR Competition prompted participants to envision how VR can be meaningfully used in their research.
      • My thesis was selected as the winner and I was awarded a VR headset.

    Thesis Presentations:

    • Invited Speaker: The VR/AR (Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality) Working Group, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2019

      • Presented to active VR and AR stakeholders, professionals, and investors to demonstrate how exergaming could be used to engage in novel physical activity via VR and AR driven means.

    • Poster Presentation: Mass. Undergraduate Research Conference (MassURC), University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2019

      • Engaged with hundreds of students and educators alike to showcase the benefit of using VR exergaming in conjunction with traditional physical activity.

    • Invited Poster: Research Art Science Exhibition (RASE), University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2019

      • Produced artwork to exhibit the beauty of physical activity and health and wellness in the context of virtual reality.
  1. Volunteer Kinesiology Research Assistant, UMass Amherst Physical Activity & Health Lab, (2018-2019)
    • Facilitated data collection, literature reviews, and manuscript writing pertaining to physical activity and sedentary behavior assessment using wearable sensors.
  1. User Experience Design Researcher, Expanding Computing Education Pathways (ECEP) Alliance, (2017 - 2018)
    • Partnered with the ECEP Alliance to produce National Science Foundation (NSF) sponsored usability research.
    • Implemented human-centered design approach to create an accessible website for ECEP Alliance members throughout the United States.
  1. Evolutionary Genomics Research Assistant Fellow, University of Massachusetts Amherst, (2016 - 2018)
    • Conducted high-throughput computing analysis on hippocampus genes of a deceased ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta).
    • Carried out gene ontology (GO) and enrichment analysis on human and primate (Pan troglodyte) genes.
    • Leveraged R programming to support data analysis and processing efforts.
    • Assembled gene transcripts into novel transcriptomes via de novo RNA-seq assembly.
    • Aligned transcriptomes to the human genome to investigate novel transcripts and isoforms using bioinformatics software.

Talks & Presentations

  1. Featured Speaker: Research Brown Bag: “Wearable Tech in the Life Insurance Industry”, University of Massachusetts Amherst (College of Social and Behavioral Sciences), 2021
    • Presented independent research focused on how health and wellness data can supplement life insurance underwriting processes and produce new avenues for obtaining life insurance.
    • Showcased how insurtech i.e. the crossroads of insurance and technology, can transform underwriting and lead to product innovation.
  1. Featured Panelist: NSDC Data Science Career Panel, Northeast Student Data Corps, 2021
    • Discussed strategies focused on how to leverage undergraduate resources and curriculums for a successful career launch upon graduation.
    • Shared my personal journey in data science and how I set and reached my goals.
  1. Poster Presentation: DACSS Homecoming Research Symposium, University of Massachusetts Amherst (College of Social and Behavioral Sciences), 2021
    • Presented independent research that introduced how wearable technology can meaningfully supplement underwriting processes in the near future.
    • Discussed the traditional life insurance process and showcased the areas where wearable technology could be beneficial.
  1. Invited Speaker: MassHire Greater Brockton Workforce Career Panel, 2021
    • Spoke to freshman to college-bound high-school students to help raise awareness about the different types of jobs that are available in the tech industry.
    • Provided data science career insight and job searching strategies.
  1. Featured Speaker: Navigating the STEM Pipeline: Finding Your Career in a Sea of Opportunity, STEM Ambassadors Program (STEM AP), 2019
    • Organized an event to support undergraduate STEM students with career mentorship and job searching strategies.
    • Presented methods for how to best make use of time and resources to prepare for prospective careers during school and after graduation.
    • Participated in a panel of professionals to answer submitted questions regarding careers, interviews, and applying for jobs.
  1. Poster Presentation: Using Bioinformatics to Explore Novel Genomes, STEM Ambassadors Program (STEM AP), 2017
    • Presented independent computational biology research on the Black lemur (Eulemur macaco flavifons).
    • Showcased the uses and benefits of cutting-edge bioinformatics tools.
  1. Poster Presentation: Facilitating Expanding Computing and Education Pathways (ECEP) Alliance Collaboration, REUMass, 2017
    • Presented usability research that resulted in an accessible and functional website for the ECEP Alliance.
    • Developed human-centered design approach to incorporate the varied perspectives, opinions and needs of stakeholders.

Honors, Awards, & Recognition

  1. MassMutual
    • 1st Place in Generative AI Hackathon (2023)
      • Led a team to first place in a GenAI focused hackathon throughout ideation, development, and presentation phases to demonstrate the utility of GenAI technology at MassMutual.
      • Collaborated closely with team members across timezones to implement GenAI components, coordinate contributions, and ensure effective communication during the hackathon period.
  1. College of Information & Computer Sciences (CICS)
    • CICS Outstanding Undergraduate Achievement Award recipient (2019)
      • This award is the highest honor that CICS undergraduates can receive. It recognizes the commitment of serving one’s peers, the university, and the community.
    • CICS Leadership Certificate for Excellence in Peer Mentorship recipient (2019)
      • This award recognizes leadership and one’s commitment to serving their peers and uplifting their development via mentorship.
  1. Commonwealth Honors College (CHC)
  1. CHC Honors Thesis: Step Count and Intensity in Virtual Reality Exergaming and Traditional Physical Activity (additional details in Honors, Awards, & Recognition under Honors Thesis)
    • CHC Honors Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research (2019)
      • This award recognized my cutting-edge CHC Honors Thesis for demonstrating excellence in research.
    • UMass Magazine: Seen
      • I had the opportunity to be featured in the printed and online versions of UMass Magazine’s Seen series for my honors thesis work.
    • #MyHonorsThesis (1)
      • The #MyHonorsThesis competition requested that participants to submit a 45 second clip that described their research.
      • My thesis was selected as the winner and has been used to showcase the standard for honors thesis research.
    • W.E.B Du Bois Library Digital Media Lab (DML) Virtual Reality (VR) Competition (1, 2)
      • The DML VR Competition prompted participants to envision how VR can be meaningfully used in their research.
      • My thesis was selected as the winner and I was awarded a VR headset.
    • W.E.B Du Bois Library DML Honors Thesis Collaboration
      • The W.E.B Du Bois Library formally recognized the collaboration I established with the DML to carry out my honors thesis.

Community Development & Engagement

  • Alumni Mentorship Program (AMP) volunteer, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2023
    • Connected with an undergraduate student to provide career mentorship and job searching strategies.
  • Peer Mentor, (2018 - Present)
    • Readily supports rising students and peers interested in pursuing computational careers with career guidance.
  • STEM Ambassador Graduate Mentor, STEM Ambassadors Program (STEM AP), (2015 - 2022)
    • Provided STEM peers with support to ensure their academic progress and future goals were on track.
    • Promoted STEM outreach to encourage students to consider majors and careers in STEM.
    • Cultivated STEM peer networks by developing workshops and community building activities focused on professional development and meaningful STEM involvement.
    • Presented research to engage students and make them aware of research opportunities.
  • Invited Speaker, MassHire Greater Brockton Workforce Career Panel, 2021
    • Spoke to freshman to college-bound high-school students to help raise awareness about the different types of jobs that are available in the tech industry.
    • Provided data science career insight and job searching strategies.
  • Hackathon Judge, HackHolyoke, 2021
    • Judged HackHolyoke hackathon submissions for the “Best Use of Data” award sponsored by MassMutual.
  • Professional Recruitment @ AFROTECH World, AFROTECH Conference, (2020-2021)
    • Engaged with STEM professionals and students interested in applying to data science positions at MassMutual.
    • Connected candidates with resources and recruiters that resonated with their career goals.
    • Organized a panel of professionals to interact with prospective candidates.
  • Hackathon Volunteer, HackHer 413, (2019-2020)
    • Volunteered to support HackHer 413 hackathon staff with set-up, clean-up, and event operations.
    • Engaged with undergraduate hackathon participants interested in pursuing data science careers.
    • Reviewed resumes and provided feedback to students applying to internships and full-time opportunities.
    • Conducted tabling sessions to inform and answer data science career questions from prospective students, educators, parents, and other stakeholders.
  • Event Organizer & Host, The STEM Ambassadors Program “Ask Me Anything” Event, STEM Ambassadors Program (STEM AP), 2019
    • Led the organization of a university-wide networking event to foster connections between undergraduate students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and STEM professionals working throughout computational career pathways.
    • Facilitated Q&A sessions to encourage STEM students to consider potential opportunities that resonate with them and ultimately, pursue computational careers academically and professionally.
    • Showcased the broad variety of computational careers that STEM professionals can pursue.
  • HackUMass Volunteer, HackUMass, 2019
    • Engaged with undergraduate hackathon participants interested in pursuing data science careers.
  • Information Technology Student Advisory Committee Member, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2018-2019
    • Collaborated with IT administrators and student peers to discuss and implement solutions to serve salient campus community needs.
    • Proposed ideas to positively impact and engage network stakeholders via campaigns.
  • Student Representative, The Massachusetts STEM Summit, 2018
    • Represented the informatics major at a state-wide conference focused on STEM Education in Massachusetts.
    • Bolstered awareness of the informatics major’s multi-disciplinary curriculum and career opportunities among STEM stakeholders including educators, rising students, parents and education investors.
  • Student Representative, The Massachusetts STEM Summit, 2018
    • Represented the informatics major at a state-wide conference focused on STEM Education in Massachusetts.
    • Bolstered awareness of the informatics major’s multi-disciplinary curriculum and career opportunities among STEM stakeholders including educators, rising students, parents and education investors.
  • Volunteer Speaker, University of Massachusetts Amherst Majors Fair, 2018
    • Disseminated information about the informatics major, its multi-disciplinary curriculum, and relevant career opportunities to galvanize awareness and interest in computing among prospective students.
  • Student Representative, Computer Science Education Week, 2018
    • Represented the informatics major during Computer Science Education Week, an annual event meant to celebrate and foster increased participation in computer science and computing-oriented fields.