Ashton Black
Pittsburgh,PA
Summary
Hardworking and motivated professional with several years of experience and record of success in the data science industry. Possessing exceptional work ethic and desire to go above and beyond to exceed company expectations. Successful in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments to manage goals and team development.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Manager, Data Science
Liaison, Othot
Pittsburgh, PA
06.2024 - Current
- Manage team of data scientists focused on building machine learning models for more than 50 clients.
- Identify areas of opportunity for additional automation through Python scripts could improve the efficiency of building and performance of client models and oversee these projects.
- Develop and implement strategies for surfacing and delivering key insights to increase client usage of models, predictions, and prescriptions, and overall client satisfaction.
- Conduct regular meetings with staff to discuss progress and ensure all upcoming deadlines are on track to be satisfied.
- Continue responsibilities as Senior Data Scientist and implement, update, maintain, and monitor predictive models for existing clients as well as new clients that sign throughout the year.
Senior Data Scientist
Liaison, Othot
Pittsburgh, PA
01.2024 - 06.2024
- Developed, updated, and maintained machine learning models for more than 50 higher education clients, with different models for each of the distinct points in the admissions cycle.
- Utilized Python programming to identify opportunities to improve the heuristic formula utilized to derive an aggregate prediction for each client. Implemented additional testing via Python to review the output of any changes made to this function to ensure the changes yielded improvements across all clients.
- Utilized Python programming to perform individual client analyses for adhoc requests.
- Rebuilt all client models on an annual basis to incorporate outcomes from prior year into the existing models.
- Performed annual End-of-Year reviews for clients, utilizing Python and internal visualization tools, to identify areas where enrollment and retention rates performed worse or better than expected. Made recommendations for the upcoming cycle based on findings.
- Utilized SQL to make updates to the progress to joining multiple client files in order to format data in the manner necessary for building models.
- Collaborated with stakeholders across departments to define business objectives and ensure alignment between data science outputs and organizational goals.
- Participated in sales calls with a more technical audience to serve as the data science representative on the call and speak to the specifics of the data acquisition and model building process, as well as how this information is delivered in the Othot SaaS platform. Aided the sales team in successfully signing a number of contracts, where the TCV was up to a multi-million dollar deal.
- Assisted in the design and implementation of internal tools utilized to assess data and models.
- Experiment with utilizing a variety of different classification algorithms including decision trees, random forest, logistic regression, Naive Bayes, SVM, to ensure models utilized for client models are the most robust approach.
- Utilize random forest regression to build models predicting the GPA an individual is likely to achieve in a given semester at an institution.
- Reviewed new client data uploaded to the Othot platform on a daily basis to ensure no issues were introduced to the data or the subsequent predictions.
- Performed monthly reviews of all client data updates and progress to ensure client was on track towards achieving enrollment/retention goals. Identified key areas of focus and opportunity for each client.
Data Scientist
Liaison, Othot
Pittsburgh, PA
01.2015 - 01.2021
- Built machine learning classification models for a variety of high education institutions for determining the probability that a student will enroll, retain, graduate, achieve academic success.
- Utilized JSON based internal language for preprocessing data in format necessary for model building.
- Engineered additional features to be used in combination with client data for constructing models.
- Reviewed external data sources for potential utilization in predictive models. Incorporated census data pulled from the census API into client data sets and models.
- Collaborated with the product team to design the UI for the initial SaaS platform where client models, probabilities, and general insights would be delivered to the client.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Applied Mathematics
Robert Morris University
Coraopolis, PA05-2015
Skills
- Python
- SQL Lite
- Machine Learning
- Data Mining
- Data Preprocessing
- Data Validation
- Model Development
- Microsoft Excel, Word, Powerpoint
- Project Management
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Attention to Detail
- Client Relations
- Team Building
Affiliations
- Avoid marathoner
- Two time push up champion at the 2019 Pittsburgh Tough Mudder
- Fundraising team leader and advocate for Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, PurpleStride Race
Timeline
Manager, Data Science
Liaison, Othot
06.2024 - Current
Senior Data Scientist
Liaison, Othot
01.2024 - 06.2024
Data Scientist
Liaison, Othot
01.2015 - 01.2021
Bachelor of Science - Applied Mathematics
Robert Morris University