Work that combines data, storytelling, and impact.
From AI research pipelines to community building—each project represents my approach to solving problems with curiosity and craft.
AI Pipeline for Scientific Research
Prof. Mark Mandel Lab • UW-Madison
Sept 2025 – PresentBuilding an intelligent extraction system to synthesize gene information from hundreds of Vibrio fischeri research papers.
Key Contributions
- Developed a Python-based pipeline using RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) to process 500+ scientific papers
- Implemented citation tracking to ensure every extracted fact links back to its source
- Tested multiple LLM configurations to minimize hallucinations while maximizing information density
- Created audience-friendly visualizations to bridge technical and non-technical team communication
- Working toward a comprehensive gene knowledgebase that will accelerate future research
Outcome: Building toward a gene knowledgebase that will serve as a foundational resource for the lab.
All Projects
Undergraduate Research Assistant
David J. Cooper, Department Executive Officer, Tippie-Rollins Chair in Economics, and Professor
Conducted behavioral economics research focused on the Prisoner’s Dilemma, analyzing decision-making patterns in strategic interactions.
Outcome: Contributed to research insights on strategic decision-making and cooperation dynamics in game theory experiments.
Flux CMO
Professional/Industry
Leading zero-to-one marketing strategy for an early-stage networking app, shaping brand positioning, go-to-market direction, and early user acquisition.
Outcome: Established the marketing foundation for a zero-to-one product, positioning Flux for early traction and scalable growth.
Statistical Analysis: GDP & Population Growth
Academic Project
Comprehensive regression analysis examining the relationship between economic output and population across 217 countries.
Outcome: Contributed to understanding global economic development patterns.
California Real Estate Market Analysis
Independent Project
Time series analysis of housing market trends using Zillow and FHFA datasets to identify patterns and forecast behavior.
Outcome: Delivered market insights that could inform real estate investment decisions.
Badger Book Club
UW-Madison
Founded a 20+ member organization exploring storytelling, branding, and creative communication.
Outcome: Built a thriving community of students passionate about storytelling.
Badger Yogis
UW-Madison
Student-led wellness organization focused on mindfulness, movement, and intentional community.
Outcome: Helped cultivate a supportive wellness community centered on connection and mindful living.
Substack: Essays & Observations
diyakayy.substack.com
A publication exploring people, connections, and culture through personal essays and observations.
Outcome: Grew to 2K+ monthly views with a loyal, engaged readership.
Personal Music Listening Database
Independent Project
A SQLite database tracking personal music listening habits with custom queries for pattern analysis.
Outcome: Gained hands-on experience with database design and SQL optimization.