Podcasts Technology Datacast Episode 31: From Quantum Computing to Epidemic Modeling with Colleen Farrelly

Episode 31: From Quantum Computing to Epidemic Modeling with Colleen Farrelly

Published: April 18, 2020, 8:57 p.m.

Show Notes:

  • (1:58) Colleen gave a brief overview of her professional background and her path to data science.
  • (3:27) Colleen explained how her background in medicine and social science contributes to her success as a data scientist working in different domains.
  • (5:20) Colleen share her thoughts on how data science varies by sector.
  • (7:02) Referring to her consulting company Staticlysm LLC, Colleen discussed a current medical technology project that she is working on.
  • (8:19) Colleen shared applications of quantum machine learning in the wild, referring to her work at Quantopo - where she is the cofounder and chief mathematician.
  • (12:33) Colleen discussed a new project leveraging quantum and quantum-inspired algorithms for nuclear reactor optimization at Quantopo.
  • (15:17) Colleen gave advice for data scientists who want to start a business and get into consulting.
  • (16:58) Colleen discussed topological data analysis in machine learning.
  • (23:02) Colleen discussed epidemic modeling and engaging foreign aid organizations, given her experience with the Ebola outbreak.
  • (26:01) Colleen discussed the different approaches to model the spread of diseases in epidemics, which follow a differential equation framework.
  • (30:22) Colleen explained why buy-in and corporation from those in power are critical to combat epidemics.
  • (32:20) Colleen explained the difference between the current Coronavirus pandemic and the previous Ebola epidemic (note that this conversation is recorded in mid-March 2020, so information about COVID19 may have dated).
  • (37:06) Colleen shared resources to get up-skilled in data science.
  • (39:40) Colleen talked about the benefits of writing on Quora, where she has written more than 13,000 answers.
  • (41:31) Colleen shared the traits of an excellent technical communicator and/or data translator.
  • (43:26) Colleen shared her process of writing a technical book that focuses on the use-cases of topology, geometry, and graph theory in machine learning and data science.
  • (50:32) Colleen talked about the growth of the data science community in Miami.
  • (54:30) Colleen discussed her involvement in data science within the African sectors.
  • (57:55) Colleen shared her thoughts on how the data science field will evolve in the next few years: the access to big data platforms, the dominance of Python, and the rise of quantum computing.
  • (01:01:12) Closing segment.

Her Contact Info:

Her Recommended Resources: