Spotlight on Success: The Loops and Hoops of Transitioning from Academia to Industry
How alumnus Anatoly Pavlov's ('15) PhD skills translated to data science
In 2015, Anatoly Pavlov completed his PhD and made a significant career change, moving from academia to the data science industry. This was a time when data science was rapidly gaining traction across various sectors, including finance and autonomous vehicles, before the broader term "Artificial Intelligence" (AI) became more popular, even if it lacked the nuance of data science. His physics background proved to be a valuable asset in this transition, as the discipline naturally involves data analysis and aligns well with data science principles.
After graduating, Pavlov relocated from Kansas to California's Silicon Valley, seeking opportunities within the tech industry. However, securing a position proved challenging. He soon discovered that industry requirements for coding and programming expertise were significantly different from academia's standards. It became evident that companies prioritize experience and skill sets over advanced degrees, even a PhD in Physics. The shift towards data science, which was already gaining traction across various fields like fintech and self-driving cars before being popularized as Artificial Intelligence (AI), seemed like a logical transition. Physics, in essence, is already data science, just without the buzz.
Anatoly enrolled in an immersive three-month long coding bootcamp at Galvanize. He developed his own project to showcase his skills and experiences which later were used when meeting with prospective employers. Since Anatoly was enthusiastic about renewable energy sources, he developed an algorithm which optimized household level battery usage (similar to Tesla Power-Wall), which enabled homeowners to save on electricity by taking advantage of a variable in time tariff.
Anatoly started his career at Random Forest Capital, a San-Francisco startup specializing in FinTech. His work was centered around applying data science to automate consumer loan underwriting, a process that Random Forest aimed to make more efficient and accurate. The startup's success in this area, harnessing the power of machine learning, resulted in their acquisition by Franklin Templeton Investments in 2018. He continued at Franklin Templeton for a further six months, contributing to the integration of their innovative data science capabilities.
Afterward, Anatoly transitioned into a new role at automotiveMastermind, a startup specializing in targeted marketing services and customer insights for car dealerships, which was later acquired by IHS Markit.
During the pandemic, he began his third job remotely with a Portland, Oregon-based company. He subsequently joined Vesta, which focuses on fraud detection and prevention for various online payment platforms. In this role, he helped develop algorithms to combat financial fraud with banks and credit card companies.
Drawing upon valuable experience gained within dynamic startup and small company environments, Anatoly transitioned to his current role within Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud computing services. As a key member of the AWS Professional Services unit, a specialized consulting group that provides Amazon's technical expertise to external clients, including notable names like Vanguard, Li-Cycle, and the National Football League.
This project, in collaboration with the NFL, applies Computer Vision and AI to improve player safety. By detecting, identifying, and tracking players, the system can analyze behaviors and collisions, helping the NFL develop data-driven strategies to mitigate injuries. The impact of this work is evidenced by AWS receiving a Sports Business Journal award for Best in AI.
Anatoly is incredibly pleased with the trajectory of his journey since graduating from K-State, and he's excited about the interesting projects that lie ahead. Arriving 18 years ago as a humble international student from Russia, his sole possession a backpack, he carried a powerful vision for a new life. He deeply appreciates his K-State Physics family, who provided the support he needed to achieve his educational and career goals and pursue the American dream.