We just launched season 4 of the Banana Data Podcast, our bi-weekly podcast on the new and now in data science. Since you’ll be hearing a lot from them, we figured we’d introduce our wonderful (and some new!) hosts - Triveni, Christopher Peter, and Corey -- and their hot takes on the data science space.
Name: Christopher Peter Makris (CPM)
Role on the Podcast: The latest co-host to join the podcast!
About: Christopher Peter Makris (CPM) is a Lead Data Scientist at Dataiku. With a background in logic, discrete mathematics, and statistics, he brings experience from both industry and academia. CPM previously stood as Director of Data Science at the NYC Data Science Academy and Executive Director of the Master’s of Statistical Practice Program at Carnegie Mellon University; at both institutions, CPM took pride in professionally developing students, aiding in the redesign of technical curricula, and delivering over 3,000 hours of lectures to graduate audiences. In industry, CPM most recently helped thwart cybercrime as the Director of Security Data Science at Empower Retirement. When not crunching numbers on his computer, CPM is crunching his abs in the studio as he’s an avid dancer, choreographer, and CrossFitter (so, while he considers himself a data scientist, he can only count to 5-6-7-8...).
Favorite Algorithm: The Stable Marriage (Gale–Shapley) Algorithm because it was the first I remember learning. Also, the K-Means algorithm for clustering — it is so simple, but has very elegant proofs!
What I think every person in data should know: Just because your prediction was wrong, doesn’t mean you were wrong in your data science practices...and vice-versa! We can always torture data to tell any story we want, so it’s important to be overtly cognizant of this (and have a healthy dose of skepticism) whenever interpreting the results of an analysis.
Favorite episode of the Banana Data Podcast: The one during which I’m introduced — duh! ;) Just kidding! I like the episodes where there is ambiguity as to what is “right;” I think that lends to colorful discussion and debate.
My data science hot take (unpopular opinion): Data science is just as much of an art as it is a science; to be a successful data scientist, you not should aspire to not only be a great statistician and impeccable coder, but also a creative thinker and an unconventional innovator.
Name: Triveni Gandhi (Dr. Gandhi if you’re feelin’ spicy)
Role on the Podcast: Veteran BDN co-host
About: Data Scientist, Responsible AI. I did a Ph.D in political science and worked at a non-profit before coming to Dataiku. As a result I am always looking for ways to understand the new world of tech from a perspective of social equity and opportunity.
Favorite Algorithm: XGBoost or Light GBM - fast and reliable!
What I think every person in data should know: Everything we do with data, including modeling, is subject to historic, hidden, or personal biases. Data and AI are not neutral - they are shaped by and subject to human bias.
Favorite episode of the Banana Data Podcast: What Makes a Good Data Science Practice is definitely an all-time favorite. We got to explore what we think is important for not only data scientists, but the whole organization.
My data science hot take: We spend way too much time trying to show off how smart we are with fancy algos and stats jargons. Use the data correctly, and let it reveal the truth - even if that is not what you want to hear. Smoke and mirrors just to get the best score isn’t always the right thing.
Name: Corey Strausman
Role on the Podcast: Banana Byte Interviewer
About: Community Manager helping manage the Dataiku Community. Fun fact, I came to Dataiku with no background in Data Science. My background is primarily in nonprofit administration and community management. With no background in data science I look forward to using my role here to learn about the ins and outs of it. To quote Socrates, “I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing.”
Favorite Algorithm: Not sure this counts, but I love me a good Dataiku Prepare Recipe.
What I think every person in data should know: That not everyone has a clear understanding about what Data Science is and how it impacts the world. Don’t be afraid to tell your story!
Favorite episode of the Banana Data Podcast: The Everyday of AI as it was fun to see how AI drives our world and all the tools we use.
My data science hot take: The smartest coder out there is the Google search bar.
Now that you’ve met our team, be sure to give us a listen, a like, and a subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform - we look forward to meeting you and hearing from you through the season!