Astronomers Turned Data Scientists Podcast

Eva Noyola discusses her Astronomy background, her transition to Data Science, her experience as a Data Analyst and in the public sector, and how Astronomy has prepared us to take on challenges.

Links:

• Eva’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eva-noyola-743a06178/

Credits

• Intro Music: Tonight At Eight by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com (no relation)
• Outro Music: Savour The Moment by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com (no relation)
• Co-Hosts: Jeffrey Silverman and Joseph A’Hearn
• Recording: Jeffrey Silverman
• Editing: Joseph A’Hearn
• ATDS Podcast Logo: Joseph A’Hearn
• Thumbnail Headshot Image: Eva Noyola
• Thumbnail Design: Joseph A'Hearn

Timecodes

• 0:00 - Intro
• 1:18 - Astronomy Background
• 5:16 - Transition to Data Science
• 8:18 - Austin As a Data Science Hub
• 10:42 - Applying for Jobs and Interviewing
• 15:39 - Experience As a Data Analyst
• 18:35 - The Title of Data Analyst vs Data Scientist
• 22:45 - Favorite Type of Project
• 25:00 - Being a Data Pioneer in a Company or Organization
• 29:12 - Benefits of Participating in ATDS Meetings
• 31:49 - Advice for Job Seekers
• 38:55 - Pleasant Surprises About Working in Industry
• 41:18 - Future Aspirations; Working in the Public Sector
• 47:19 - Final Advice; How Astronomy Trains Us
• 49:55 - Outro

#Astronomy #DataScience #Transitions #Podcast #ATDS #Astro2Data

Riwaj Pokhrel discusses his recent transition from Astronomy to Data Science, the factors that led to this decision, and his current role as a Data Scientist. He then compares what he expected out of this transition with what his current experience is. He talks about networking and other important transferable skills. He shares how he has regained some of his original love for Astronomy after his transition. Finally, he shares advice for people who are hoping to transition to Data Science.

Links:

• Riwaj’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riwajpokhrel/
• ADP List: https://adplist.org/

Credits

• Intro Music: Tonight At Eight by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com (no relation)
• Outro Music: Savour The Moment by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com (no relation)
• Co-Hosts: Jeffrey Silverman and Joseph A’Hearn
• Recording: Jeffrey Silverman
• Editing: Joseph A’Hearn
• ATDS Podcast Logo: Joseph A’Hearn
• Thumbnail Headshot Image: Riwaj Pokhrel
• Thumbnail Design: Joseph A'Hearn

Timecodes

• 0:00 - Intro
• 1:30 - Astronomy Background
• 6:10 - Transition to Data Science
• 16:28 - Current Data Scientist Role
• 23:56 - Expectations vs. Reality about the Transition
• 28:00 - Technical and Transferable Skills
• 40:50 - Sharing the Love of Astronomy as a Data Scientist
• 45:32 - Total Solar Eclipse 2024 Experience
• 49:00 - Final Thoughts about the Future of Data Science
• 56:40 - Outro

#Astronomy #DataScience #Transitions #Podcast #ATDS #Astro2Data

Betsy Barton discusses her career trajectory from Astronomy to Data Science, including time at a hedge fund and as a DS Manager before starting her own company. She goes in depth about AI tools that can be built on LLMs and imagines their intersection with robotics. She shares how she has adapted the vision for her company Infiniscape and their social media app Kyndr. She also converses about the emotional barrier to leaving Academia and Astronomy.

Links:

• Betsy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsy-barton/
• Renaissance Technologies: https://www.rentec.com/Home.action?index=true
• Kyndr: https://kyndr.com/
• Executive Coach: https://www.danamahina.com/

Credits

• Intro Music: Tonight At Eight by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com (no relation)
• Outro Music: Savour The Moment by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com (no relation)
• Co-Hosts: Jeffrey Silverman and Joseph A’Hearn
• Recording: Jeffrey Silverman
• Editing: Joseph A’Hearn
• ATDS Podcast Logo: Joseph A’Hearn
• Thumbnail Headshot Image: Betsy Barton
• Thumbnail Design: Joseph A'Hearn

Timecodes

• 0:00 - Intro
• 0:50 - Astronomy Background
• 1:46 - Post-Astronomy Trajectory
• 4:13 - Hedge Fund (Renaissance Technologies)
• 8:30 - Transition to Data Science Manager (Walmart)
• 9:36 - Working with an Executive Coach
• 13:38 - Starting a Company (Infiniscape)
• 16:15 - Discerning the Type of Company to Work for
• 17:53 - More About Infiniscape and AI Tools
• 30:07 - Advice for Interviewing for Data Science Roles
• 34:10 - Infiniscape Projects and the Kyndr Social Media App
• 41:45 - Emotional Barrier to Leaving Academia and Astronomy
• 48:54 - Outro

#Astronomy #DataScience #Transitions #Podcast #ATDS #Astro2Data

Kevin Moore talks about how he got into Astronomy and transitioned from there to Data Science. He discusses his current job at a startup. He goes into details about programming, interviews, and the role of LLMs in the future of Data Science.

Links:

• Kevin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmoore13/

Credits

• Intro Music: Tonight At Eight by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com (no relation)
• Outro Music: Savour The Moment by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com (no relation)
• Co-Hosts: Jeffrey Silverman and Joseph A’Hearn
• Recording: Jeffrey Silverman
• Editing: Joseph A’Hearn
• ATDS Podcast Logo: Joseph A’Hearn
• Thumbnail Headshot Image: Kevin Moore
• Thumbnail Design: Joseph A'Hearn

Timecodes

• 0:00 - Intro
• 0:47 - Astronomy Background
• 2:40 - Transition to Data Science
• 4:52 - First Data Science Job
• 7:15 - Scala and Python
• 9:40 - Programming, Computational Astrophysics, and Tools to Get a Data Science Job
• 16:09 - Favorite Projects Venturing into the Unknown
• 17:26 - Joining a Startup As a Data Scientist
• 23:03 - Interviewing Data Scientist Candidates
• 39:17 - Future of NLP and LLMs
• 48:33 - Outro

#Astronomy #DataScience #Transitions #Podcast #ATDS #Astro2Data

Marcel Haas discusses what led him into Astronomy, why and how he transitioned to Data Science, his experience in various Data Science positions, and his current role teaching Data Science. He also talks about differences in the field between Europe and North America, transferable skills, and craft beer.

Links:

• Marcel’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harcel/
• Marcel’s Website: https://marcelhaas.com/

Credits

• Intro Music: Tonight At Eight by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com (no relation)
• Outro Music: Savour The Moment by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com (no relation)
• Co-Hosts: Jeffrey Silverman and Joseph A’Hearn
• Recording: Jeffrey Silverman
• Editing: Joseph A’Hearn
• ATDS Podcast Logo: Joseph A’Hearn
• Thumbnail Headshot Image: Marcel Haas
• Thumbnail Design: Joseph A'Hearn

Timecodes

• 0:00 - Intro
• 0:45 - Welcome
• 1:25 - Marcel’s Path to Astronomy
• 3:33 - Transition to Data Science
• 5:07 - Experience at First Data Science Job
• 13:25 - Subsequent Data Science Job Experience
• 17:10 - Return to Academia
• 18:52 - Continuous Learning in Data Science
• 20:46 - Teaching/Research Balance
• 23:52 - Favorite Projects
• 26:52 - Analysis Before Data Science
• 28:33 - Future of Data and AI
• 33:22 - Differences between Europe and North America
• 38:33 - Transferable Skills
• 42:15 - Craft Beer and ML
• 46:35 - Remaining an Individual Contributor vs. Becoming a Manager
• 49:45 - Companies in Europe
• 51:48 - Final Thoughts: Astronomy and Data Science
• 54:07 - Outro

#Astronomy #DataScience #Transitions #Podcast #ATDS #Astro2Data