Astronomers Turned Data Scientists Podcast

9. Julie Hollek

Julie Hollek discusses her Astronomy background, her transition to Data Science, and her experience as an Individual Contributor, Manager, and Director. She also talks about bootcamps, the SciPy conference, and advantages for people coming from Astronomy into Data Science. 
 
Links:
Julie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliehollek/ 
SciPy Conference: https://conference.scipy.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: Julie Hollek
Thumbnail Design: Joseph A'Hearn
 
Timecodes
0:00 - Intro
1:34 - Astronomy Background
4:32 - Grad School, Coding Bootcamp, and Transition to Data Science
8:01 - Career Progression in Data Science
13:31 - Transition from Individual Contributor to Manager and Director; Types of Jobs
21:20 - Is a Bootcamp Worth It?; The Value of Networking
26:42 - The Advantage of an Astronomy Background for Data Science
31:05 - Involvement in the SciPy Conference and Community
43:49 - Advice for People Transitioning to Data Science
47:14 - Invitation to the SciPy Conference
48:09 - Outro
 
#Astronomy #DataScience #Transitions #Podcast #ATDS #Astro2Data
 

8. Eva Noyola

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

7. Kevin Moore

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

6. Riwaj Pokhrel

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

5. Betsy Barton

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

4. Marcel Haas

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

3. Genevieve Graves

Genevieve Graves discusses her transition from Astronomy to Data Science, sharing her experience with startups and with consulting. She speaks about how to figure out what you want to do and how venture capital firms determine what sort of projects to fund. She also shares her thoughts about the future in the field, why astronomers make good data scientists, and how she discovered work-life balance during Covid.  
Links:
Genevieve’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/genevievegraves/ 
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: Genevieve Graves
Thumbnail Design: Joseph A'Hearn
Timecodes
0:00 - Intro
1:25 - Astronomy Research
2:39 - Background for Transition
5:30 - Joining a Startup
6:38 - Consulting Work
9:30 - Advice on Getting a First Data Science Job 
15:58 - Startups vs. Big Companies
21:07 - Consulting Work
25:22 - How to Figure Out What You Want to Do
31:34 - Venture Capital Firms and Thoughts on the Future
45:01 - Why Astronomers Make Good Data Scientists
47:34 - Discovering Work-Life Balance during Covid
53:22 - Outro
#Astronomy #DataScience #Transitions #Podcast #ATDS #Astro2Data
 

2. Jess Kirkpatrick

Jess Kirkpatrick discusses her transition to Data Science, outreach for others considering a similar transition, multiple moves between companies, interesting projects, and predictions for the next few years in Data Science. 
Links:
Wage Report for hired.com: https://hired.com/wage-inequality-report/2020/#intro
Jess’s Astronomer to Data Diva post on Medium - https://medium.com/data-diva/astronomer-to-data-diva-e3c457f6621d 
Jess's blog: https://berkeleyjess.blogspot.com/
Jess's blog specifically about becoming a DS (with links to many other related posts she's written): https://berkeleyjess.blogspot.com/2015/02/so-you-want-to-be-data-scientist.html
Jess’s Women in Astronomy blog posts about DS - https://womeninastronomy.blogspot.com/2014/06/career-profiles-astronomer-to-data.html
Jess’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/berkeleyjess/ 
ATDS 2024 - https://tinyurl.com/atds2024
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: Jess Kirkpatrick
Thumbnail Design: Joseph A'Hearn
Timecodes
0:00 - Intro
0:55 - Welcome
1:41 - Astrophysics Background
4:40 - Early Transition to Data Science
10:00 - Blogging to Share Her Experience
11:05 - How Transitioning Today Is Different
16:00 - The Founding of ATDS
24:02 - Moves between Companies
38:10 - Bay Area As a Data Science Hub
39:57 - Wage Gap Hackathon Project
44:24 - Predictions for the Next 5 Years in Data Science
48:14 - Advice for Someone Transitioning to Data Science 
54:50 - Connect with Jess
55:24 - Outro
#Astronomy #DataScience #Transitions #Podcast #ATDS #Astro2Data

1. Taka Tanaka

Taka Tanaka discusses his transition from Astronomy to Data Science, how his career has progressed to the current point of being a Data Science Manager, and what he expects to unfold in the field of Data Science during the next few years. 
Links:
Taka’s Astronomy to Data Science Slides: https://github.com/taka-tanaka/astronomy-to-data-science/blob/master/ATDS.pdf 
Taka’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/takatanaka/ 
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: Taka Tanaka
Thumbnail Design: Joseph A'Hearn
Timecodes
0:00 - Intro
1:32 - Welcome and Past ATDS Meetings
2:42 - Astronomy Background
4:40 - Transition to Data Science
6:11 - Mindset during Transition to Data Science, Pros and Cons
9:45 - Skills from Astronomy Background Useful in Data Science
13:35 - Challenges upon Becoming a Data Scientist in Industry
17:44 - How Data Science Has Changed in 7 Years
24:49 - Projects During First Year As a Data Scientist
27:41 - Career Growth: Management and Individual Contributor Roles 
36:06 - Current Projects and Motivations 
42:33 - Predictions for the Next 5 Years in Data Science
46:50 - Role of Data Science in Astrophysics Research
49:31 - Advice for Aspiring Data Scientists
52:55 - Outro
#Astronomy #DataScience #Transitions #Podcast #ATDS #Astro2Data