Patrick J. Vallely
Professional Resume
Ph.D. Astrophysicist and Certified Data Scientist with more than seven years of experience applying data science techniques to analyze poorly constrained problems. Always ready to learn, and excited by the prospect of new challenges. Proven capability to quickly pick up new techniques and familiarize myself with different areas of expertise, to work autonomously as needed, and to communicate effectively with interested parties of varying technical backgrounds.
Technical Proficiencies
Python | Matplotlib | NumPy | SciPy | Pandas | Scikit-Learn | Keras | SQL | LaTeX | Azure | Teradata | Label Studio | Adobe Lightroom
Data Science Skills
Data Analysis | Machine Learning | Model Selection | Data Cleaning | Automation | Statistics | Web Scraping | Database Management | Image Processing | Data Visualization | Algorithm Development | Optimization
Personal Attributes
Problem Solving | Writing | Public Speaking | Adaptability | Positivity | Self-Motivation | Multitasking | Collaborative | Creativity | Reliability
Professional Experience
Sr. Data Scientist | CarMax
January 2023 – Present
- Assist in developnig and testing updates to inventory pricing algorithms.
- Monitor performance of customer-facing logistics models and implement improvements as needed.
- Build and maintain standardized internal databases for use across various teams within the company.
Data Scientist | Radiology Partners
July 2022 – November 2022
- Created internal DICOM conformance standards and validation code to facilitate data transfer with external partners.
- Built data labeling interfaces using Label Studio and Google Cloud tools and collaborated with RP radiologists to produce a training set with thousands of labeled X-ray studies.
- Developed and implemented multiple novel algorithms for characterizing X-ray studies, CT exams, and mammogram imaging that routinely achieved 99% accurate classifications.
NSF Graduate Research Fellow | The Ohio State University
May 2017 – June 2022
- Led the All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae (ASAS-SN) effort to discover supernovae within the TESS field of view.
- Developed a procedure for processing raw images from the TESS mission, including corrective techniques to address known data quality issues tied to scattered light artifacts and detector construction.
- Regularly fit physical models to observed data using a combination of non-linear least squares fitting and Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques.
- Wrote scripts to scrape public data repositories and keep the ASAS-SN supernova database accurately updated.
- Spent nearly 70 nights taking observations with the Large Binocular Telescope, the largest optical telescope on Earth.
- Planned observations for hundreds of high-value targets and led data calibration across nine LBT observing semesters
- Cultivated effective communication skills through numerous presentations, both at academic conferences and in public talks and interviews.
- Proven track record of effective collaboration, both within the ASAS-SN team and with external researchers.
- Published four lead-author papers analyzing observations of various supernovae, and was a co-author on dozens of additional publications.
Education
Degree | University | GPA | Graduation Year |
---|---|---|---|
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) | The Ohio State University | 4.0 | 2022 |
Master of Science (M.S.) | The Ohio State University | 4.0 | 2020 |
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) | The University of Oklahoma | 3.97 | 2017 |
Auxiliary Experience
The Erdős Institute
Completed both the intensive May 2021 and the extended Fall 2021 Erdős Institute Data Science Boot Camps, each of which included the completion of a team capstone project. These boot camps and workshops covered a wide range of topics from advanced classification and regression algorithms to neural networks and their application to real-world challenges, allowing me to fill in gaps from my academic background and to polish my more industry-specific technical skills.
/r/CFB Risk Technical Lead
Wrote a series of scripts to scrape daily status updates from the in-game map and to send instructions to Oklahoma users through Reddit’s API, including one that could be triggered remotely via email. My scripts coupled with the strategic modeling done by our other technical lead allowed our team to survive the duration of the game and ultimately attain the highest captured-territories-to-player-count ratio of any surviving team.
Pit Box Press
Covered dozens of major motorsports events as a credentialed photographer, including NASCAR, IndyCar, and World of Outlaws Sprint Car races. Notable highlights include Bubba Wallace’s historic NASCAR Cup Series victory at Talladega Superspeedway, the 2021 Kings Royal doubleheader at Eldora Speedway, and multiple NASCAR Championship Weekends at Phoenix Raceway.
College Experience
Honors Research Assistant | The University of Oklahoma
March 2014 – May 2017
- Modeled observations of various energetic astrophysical transients using codes based on the elementary supernova treatment as well as the more advanced PHOENIX code.
- Wrote MATLAB scripts to control laboratory instrumentation and automate data collection via GPIB.
- Performed numerous electro and photoluminescence experiments with intermediate-band quantum dot solar cells.
- Published a lead-author paper analyzing the nearby supernova SN 2014J, and was a co-author on an additional publication studying intermediate-band solar cells.
Student Library Assistant | Bizzell Memorial Library History of Science Collections
Oct 2014 - May 2015
- Helped to maintain the library's resource database.
- Coordinated the cataloging of new additions to the collections.
- Digitized library resources for greater public accesibility.
Student Pathways Intern | U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
Summer 2014
- Scanned decades of aerial survey photography to facilitate access for future public records requests.
- Utilized Geographic Information System software to catalog the location of historic survey photographs.