About David

Data Scientist with over 9 years of experience using statistical analysis and machine learning to drive targeted improvements for critical government programs, including national security, insider threat, and public health initiatives. Specializes in transforming sensitive, complex data into actionable recommendations for senior leadership.

• Data Science Methods: Descriptive and Inferential Statistics, Data Cleaning, Data Visualizations, Machine Learning (including Linear and Logistic Regression, Random Forests)
• Programing Languages: Python, R, Java, SAS, VBA, Perl
• Tools: RStudio, Oracle SQL Database, Databricks, Verint EFM, Apache Hadoop, SPSS, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access

• Data Scientist @ Peraton

  February 2021 – March 2025
  • Led data acquisition and ETL processes for multiple projects, supporting a team of over 20 social scientists. Implemented privacy and security controls for extremely sensitive data in a regulated environment.
  • Modeled the interaction between race, ethnicity, and gender outcomes for over 100,000 participants in a sensitive government program, providing policy recommendations to senior leadership to improve equity.
  • Leveraged data science and statistical methods to develop improvements to Dept. of Defense suicide and sexual assault prevention and response programs that support 2,000,000+ service members and their families.
  • Designed and deployed online surveys and supported development and delivery of online training courses. Completed web accessibility testing (Section 508) procedures and reports.
• Data Management Analyst @ Northrop Grumman

  November 2015 – January 2021
  • Engineered a data pipeline using SAS, SQL, and Python to ETL data from legacy mainframe systems for the entire population of over 3,000,000+ DoD military, civilian and contractor personnel to provide unified data-driven insights to senior leaders.
  • Validated the effectiveness of the use of social media and a machine learning model for suicide prevention among members of the US military.
  • Quantified the interaction between a mental health and a sensitive government program, identifying areas for improvement to lessen negative impacts and stigma.
  • Investigated opportunities for leveraging government and commercial data sources to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of a high impact federal program.
• Grader/Reader @ UC Santa Cruz, Jack Baskin School of Engineering

  September 2011 – March 2012
  • Evaluated coursework and laboratory assignments for an undergraduate computer science course, focusing on data structures, Java, C, and UNIX fundamentals. Applied assessment criteria to students’ work in a consistent, deterministic manner.
  • Project management: managed deliverable schedules and workload budgeting. Consistently delivered work products on time and under budget.
  • Maintained confidentiality about student grades, records, and other sensitive information regulated under federal regulations.
• Geospatial Analyst @ San Diego Regional Task Force on the Homeless

  May 2009 – June 2009
  • Worked with Project Manager to assess local implementation of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development homeless census project.
  • Used ArcGIS software to update and improve maps and data collection forms for future census taking.
• Software Development Consultant @ Alliant Insurance Services

  January 2008 – August 2008
  • Worked with software development team on components for a proprietary customer relationship management system. Expert in software development tools, including Visual Studio, C#, and ASP.Net.
  • Instructed peers in software development and computer programming techniques.

• Resources Exist, Asking Can Help (REACH) Field Test with Geographically Isolated Service Members (2024)
• An Examination of Racial, Ethnic, and Gender Disparities in DON’s Personnel Security Program (2023)
• Personnel Security Underreporting: Establishing Rates and Estimating the Problem (2019)
• Suicide-Related Incident Reporting in DoD’s Personnel Security Program (2018)
• An Evaluation of a Machine Learning Model for Suicide Detection and Prevention (2017)
• Improving Mental Health Reporting Practices in Between Personnel Security Investigations (2016)

• Bachelor of Art, Economics from University of California, Santa Cruz

  September 2009 – June 2013
  • Economics coursework included Econometrics, Economic Analysis of the Law, Economic History, Environmental Economics, International Economics (Latin America, East & Southeast Asia), and Economic Development.
  • • Additionally completed computer science coursework including Data Structures, Computer Systems and Logic Design.
  • Supporting mathematics coursework included single and multi-variate calculus, statistics, and linear algebra.
• High School Diploma from High Tech High Media Arts

  September 2009 – June 2013
  • Received a High School Diploma.
  • Awarded Regional Occupational Program certificates in Multimedia Production and Engineering Principles.
  • Top 10% of graduating class.