Soccer
Kachinga Silwimba
Aurora,USA
Summary
Innovative and results-driven Data Scientist with over four years of experience leveraging machine learning, high-performance computing (HPC), and geospatial analysis to solve complex environmental and scientific challenges. Proficient in Python, TensorFlow, and PyTorch, with a proven ability to reduce computational overhead, improve predictive accuracy, and deliver impactful insights. Published author and presenter at international conferences with a strong commitment to advancing climate data science through interdisciplinary collaboration.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Data Science Research Scientist
Boise State University
08.2021 - Current
- Build end-to-end Python data pipelines (Pandas, Xarray, Dask) with GPU acceleration to reduce model-simulation data processing time by 50%.
- Apply Evidential Deep Learning for uncertainty quantification (UQ) to improve prediction error by approximately 20%; document methods for reproducibility.
- Design and produce Self-Organizing Maps (SOM) and Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOF) workflows for spatiotemporal pattern discovery and classification, improving validation metrics by approximately 30%.
- Lead cross-functional collaborations and implement MLOps practices (Docker, Git, MLflow) to deliver versioned, containerized, and traceable experiments.
- Integrate domain knowledge into model architectures to enhance simulation fidelity and decision support.
- Publish peer-reviewed work and present to technical and non-technical audiences at international venues, translating complex results into actionable insights.
CISL Visiting Scholar (CVP)
NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)
09.2025 - 05.2026
- Serve in the Computational and Information Systems Laboratory (CISL) Visitor Program (CVP) to develop an evidential Community Land Model (CLM) emulator supporting Ph.D. research.
- Develop uncertainty-aware machine learning approaches for model emulation, with an emphasis on calibration, validation, and scalable deployment.
- Coordinate cross-institutional milestones and knowledge transfer between NCAR and Boise State University.
Advanced Study Program Graduate Research Fellow
NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)
03.2024 - 06.2024
- Assessed Community Land Model (CLM) v5 parameters using adaptive learning techniques, improving computational efficiency by 25%.
- Executed large-scale simulations on HPC systems and analyzed high-dimensional outputs to inform land-surface model refinements.
- Applied statistical methods and experimental design principles to model evaluation, enhancing prediction skill and reliability.
- Collaborated across disciplines to integrate advanced statistical techniques into evaluation pipelines.
Education
Ph.D. - Computing, Data Science Major
Boise State University (BSU)
Boise, ID12.2025
M.Sc. - Mathematical Sciences, Climate Science Major
African Institute For Mathematical Sciences (AIMS)
Kigali, Rwanda07.2021
B.Sc. - Physics
Copperbelt University
Kitwe, Zambia10.2019
Skills
- Programming & Databases: Python, SQL, R, MATLAB, Java, Bash, Scala, PySpark, Linux; experience building ETL pipelines and automating data workflows
- Machine Learning & Deep Learning: Supervised and unsupervised learning, predictive modeling, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras, Scikit-learn, deep neural networks, generative AI, large language models
- Big Data & Cloud: Hadoop, Spark, AWS, Google Cloud, distributed data processing, GPU acceleration, high-performance computing (HPC) clusters
- Scientific & Geospatial Data: Scientific data processing, GIS, Xarray, Dask, NetCDF, Zarr, climate and environmental datasets
- Data Management & MLOps: DVC, Git/GitHub, Docker, CI/CD pipelines; reproducible experiments, model versioning, and production-ready workflows
- Reporting & Visualization: Reporting and data visualization with Matplotlib, Plotly, Cartopy, Holoviews, Tableau, Excel; clear visual storytelling for technical and non-technical stakeholders
- HPC & Optimization: Slurm job scheduling, resource and memory management, workload optimization and containerization in HPC environments
- Model Interpretability: SHAP, Sobol sensitivity analysis, Fourier-based sensitivity methods; explaining model behavior and uncertainty
Certification
- 2024 NASA Open Science Certificate, NASA's Transform to Open Science (TOPS) USA
- 2024 Responsible Conduct of Research, CITI Program USA
- 2024 LEAP Momentum Bootcamp in Climate Data Science, LEAP Manhattan, NY
- 2023 LeaderShape, LeaderShape Summer Institute Cascade, ID
- 2022 CLMS Point Simulations, NSF NCAR Community Land Model version 5 training certificate USA
- 2022 WRF Tutorial Training, NSF NCAR Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF) training certificate USA
- 2020 IBM Machine Learning, IBM Digital - Nation USA
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Affiliations
- National Center for Atmospheric Research
- Boise State University
Interests
Basketball
Car Racing
Languages
English
Full Professional
Quote
There is a powerful driving force inside every human being that, once unleashed, can make any vision, dream, or desire a reality.
Tony Robbins
Software
Python
Java
C
MATLAB
SQL
Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimePart TimeGig WorkInternshipContract WorkLocation Preference
On-SiteRemoteHybridImportant To Me
Career advancementWork from home optionHealthcare benefitsPersonal development programsTeam Building / Company RetreatsStock Options / Equity / Profit Sharing401k matchPaid sick leaveWork-life balance4-day work weekCompany CultureFlexible work hoursTimeline
CISL Visiting Scholar (CVP)
NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)
09.2025 - 05.2026
Advanced Study Program Graduate Research Fellow
NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)
03.2024 - 06.2024
Data Science Research Scientist
Boise State University
08.2021 - Current
B.Sc. - Physics
Copperbelt University
Ph.D. - Computing, Data Science Major
Boise State University (BSU)
M.Sc. - Mathematical Sciences, Climate Science Major
African Institute For Mathematical Sciences (AIMS)