January/ February 2022 Newsletter

PACM & DSA Newsletter

January/ February
2022

Providing you with timely and relevant information to help you stay up-to-date with the fields of applied math and data science.

(Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here.)

In this issue:

Faculty Pick
Scientific Visualization: Python + Matplotlib
Alumni Spotlight
Clarity and Aesthetics in Data Visualization
The DSA Coding Challenge
Data Now
Buffalo State Data Talk
Upcoming Events

Faculty Pick

Each newsletter a faculty member shares a relevant article, dashboard, visualization or video. This newsletter's faculty pick is Ann Liao, Associate Professor of Communications and instructor of COM 547.

Social media big data analytics: A survey

This article provides a good review on social media big data analytics. The authors conceptualized a solid framework for approaching this subject and devised a classification system of data sources, characteristics, computational intelligence, and techniques. Data sources reviewed include microblogging, news articles, blog post, internet forum, reviews, and Q&A post. Characteristics were divided into descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive analytics. The authors discussed various types of computational intelligence, such as artificial neural networks, fuzzy systems, swarm intelligence, evolutionary computation, and deep learning. Techniques such as modeling, sentiment analysis, social network analysis, and text mining were also discussed. The authors concluded their review by providing a comparison of 52 studies based on objective, contributions, approach, data analysis, methods, and quality attribute.

Check out Dr. Liao's suggested article

Scientific Visualization: Python + Matplotlib

This book in GitHub shares information and examples for creating scientific visualizations. Although written to help create scientific visualization for publication this information can be useful to those outside the scientific discipline. The book contains information on Matplotlib, how to use it and how to improve your data visualizations.

Learn about Matplotlib

Alumni Spotlight

with Beth Sardina '13

Read the complete profile on the PACM websit e.

Beth is a Senior Internal Auditor and Actuary at Highmark Western New York. In her position she conducts assurance and advisory audits, specializing in audits of data and analytics functions.

What was your favorite part of program?: I really enjoyed the faculty members. They were easy to get to know and I still keep in touch with many of my former professors.

Additionally, I made a few life-long friends in the program. I will always look back fondly at my time in PACM.

If you could do it again, what would you do differently?: I would try to learn even more programming languages and/or improve my skills in the languages/programs I already know. I think that is a very valuable skill and transferable to so many jobs and companies.

What advice do you have for current students?: I encourage students to explore their career options early on in the program. If you have an idea of what you want to do long-term, be sure to get an internship and/or arrange a job shadow experience. If this is not possible, consider interviewing someone who works in the profession of interest to you. I cannot stress enough the importance of researching the job you want ahead of time to make sure you will be satisfied and to confirm it is what you're expecting. Finally, when all else fails, consider networking through LinkedIn. I receive messages all the time from students who are interested in learning more about the Actuarial Profession and I'm always happy to answer questions and offer advice.

DSA and PACM alumni, if you are interested in sharing information for a profile please complete this survey.

Beth's Full Profile

Clarity and Aesthetics in Data Visualization

Check out this article with a list of guidelines on how to create clear and aesthetically pleasing visualizations.

Make Better Data Visualizations

The DSA Coding Challenge

DSA students, deepen your knowledge of Python programming by participating in the DSA Coding Challenge. These problems explore specific skills expected of data scientist employees.

Congratulations to the
2021 Coding Challenge Champions!
Jillian Goodwyn
Joseph Fedyna

Keep an eye on your email, the next coding challenge will be released in 2022.

Data Now

Data science in the everyday

Data Governance at Twitter

Twitter announced in November that they will be establishing an internal data governance committee. "The committee will oversee all decisions related to collecting, maintaining, using, disclosing or providing access to customer data internally."

Find your Pets Art Doppelganger

Google has release a feature that allows you to search for art the resembles your pet using a machine learning algorithm.

Buffalo State Data Talk

Check out the most recent episode of Buffalo State Data Talk. Episode 14: Non-profit evaluation, the human side of analytics, an interview with Tristan Keelan Director of Business Development for CCNY

In this episode Tristan Keelan, the Director of Business Development for CCNY, talks about how they evaluate data for non-profits. Tristan shares how listening to clients and asking the right questions allows him to provide insights that help these companies improve their communities.

Buffalo State Data Talk Website
Spotify
Apple podcasts
Google Podcasts
YouTube