Alexander N. Rop

Highly motivated data science student with a strong foundation in Python, R, Git, and statistical analysis, eager to apply analytical and problem-solving skills to real-world business challenges. Passionate about leveraging data-driven insights to optimize operations and enhance user experience. Team-player ready to take on any given task and to learn more about the field along the way.

Environmental Factors & Academic Performance Project | Group Project | Spring 2025

• Description: Investigated the correlation between defined environmental factors (temperature, pollution, income, poverty, educational funding) and student academic performance using various machine learning and statistical regression techniques.
• Contributions:
  Defined and operationalized complex concepts ("environmental factor," "human performance metric") to facilitate data sourcing and analysis despite limited historical data.
  Applied Lasso Regression to identify key variables influencing academic scores, demonstrating feature selection and regularization expertise. Identified temperature (coefficient: -2.49) and median income as most impactful, achieving a training R^2 of 0.5193 and testing R^2 of 0.4514.
  Developed and interpreted an Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression model, analyzing R2 values, coefficients, p-values, and residual diagnostics to assess variable significance. Implemented Bayesian Regression to model variable relationships and incorporate prior knowledge, providing probability distributions and Highest Density Intervals (HDIs) for effects. Evaluated model performance and limitations across OLS, Lasso, and Bayesian approaches, specifically addressing challenges posed by small sample sizes and demonstrating critical assessment skills.
  Presented comprehensive data-driven insights confirming the impact of environmental factors on academic performance, with strong evidence for temperature and median income as key drivers.

• Problem-Solver
• Adaptable
• Disciplined
• Logical
• Sociable
• Team Player

• Section Leader for Caledonia high school marching band exemplifying my leadership, communication, ability to socialize within large groups, teamwork, and interpersonal abilities. I was often entrusted to guide and teach underclassmen when the director needed me.
• Wind Ensemble and Jazz band participation, and was invited to join honors jazz and concert band on multiple occasions.