#97 Disney Data Scientist Eric Leung on Math, Medicine, and Learning to Code
Sep 15, 2023
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Data scientist Eric Leung shares his journey from math to bioinformatics, discussing the application of math in medicine. They also talk about transitioning from grad school, the different branches of data science, analyzing marketing strategies, remote work at Disney, the value of libraries, exploring the ancient game of Go, the longevity of legacy tools, navigating VIM modes, interacting with databases, and the importance of learning in public and community contribution.
Engaging math education can foster curiosity and interest in math, improving engagement and learning.
Data science offers diverse opportunities for individuals with varied backgrounds and interests.
Collaboration between different data science roles enhances data-driven decision-making and creates valuable insights.
Combining math, programming, and domain knowledge is crucial in the versatile field of data science.
Specialization in a specific role can lead to focused work and greater efficiency in data science projects.
Deep dives
Importance of Engaging Math Education
Engaging math education is crucial in preventing people from developing negative attitudes towards math and feeling like they are not good at it. With the abundance of online resources and fun ways to explore math concepts, individuals can develop a curiosity and interest in math, which can lead to better engagement and learning.
Eric Long's Journey into Data Science
Eric Long, who initially planned to pursue a career in medicine, shifted his focus to bioinformatics, the application of math to the field of medicine. After leaving his PhD program, Eric transitioned into the field of data science, where he now works as a data scientist at Disney. His journey highlights the versatility and opportunities in the field of data science for individuals with diverse backgrounds and interests.
Different Roles in the Field of Data Science
The field of data science encompasses different roles, including data analysts, data scientists, researchers, and data engineers. Each role contributes to extracting insights from data, with analysts focusing on reporting and visualization, scientists conducting in-depth analysis and research, and engineers developing pipelines and automating data processes. The collaboration between these roles helps organizations make data-driven decisions and creates valuable data products.
The Value of Transferable Skills in Data Science
In the field of data science, having a combination of skills is essential. These skills include expertise in math, programming, and domain knowledge, such as biology or marketing. While math and programming skills allow for data analysis and automation, domain knowledge enables data scientists to ask relevant questions and provide insights specific to the industry they work in. The ability to transfer skills from one domain to another and adapt to different contexts is highly valuable in the dynamic field of data science.
Exploring the Benefits of Specialization and Distributed Labor
The speaker discusses the advantages of working in a specialized role and having distributed labor, contrasting it with the dabbling nature of graduate school. Specialization allows for focused work and greater efficiency.
A Day in the Life of a Remote Worker
The speaker describes their typical daily routine as a remote worker. They emphasize the importance of starting the day with a walk, preparing tea, jotting down tasks, checking messages, and focusing on one task at a time. They also highlight the value of collaboration and effective communication with colleagues.
The Value of Libraries and Curiosity-Driven Learning
The speaker shares their appreciation for libraries as hubs of learning and community. They encourage people to make use of libraries' free resources, including books, online courses, and events. They also discuss the benefits of curiosity-driven learning through exhibits in science museums and engaging with subjects like mathematics and Go.
Benefits of Learning and Playing Strategy Games
Learning and playing strategy games like Go or chess can have a range of benefits beyond just being a hobby. These games can improve spatial reasoning skills and contribute to a better understanding of strategic thinking. They offer a long-term engagement and room for improvement, which can be appealing for individuals looking for a game they can enjoy for many years. Additionally, strategy games like Go have stood the test of time, with a history spanning thousands of years, indicating their longevity and enduring popularity.
Powerful Tools for Data Work: Emacs and Org Mode
Emacs, a widely used code editor, offers powerful functionality that extends beyond traditional editing features. Its comprehensive nature makes it more than just a code editor, with many developers using it as an all-in-one solution for their programming needs. Emacs even has an org mode, which is a specific markup language designed for task management and note-taking within the editor. This mode allows users to easily rearrange content, keep track of tasks, and even manage time by setting up timers. Despite the learning curve, org mode can be a helpful tool for enhancing productivity and workflow.
Eric Leung grew up in Oklahoma and learned a lot of math in high school. His friends wanted to go to medical school and he originally planned to join them. But instead he got interested in the emerging field of bioinformatics – math applied to medicine.
After 6 years in graduate school, he made the big decision to leave without completing his Ph.D. But he was able to transition into the field of data science, and he now works as a data scientist at Disney.
Eric and I met up at a public library here in Dallas, Texas to talk about his journey into data science, including his time spent learning through freeCodeCamp and ultimately contributing to our open source codebase.
We also share our love of the US public library system, where we met to record this and where Eric worked when he was younger. And we talk about the ancient board game of Go.
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