I am a data scientist with over 5 years of experience leveraging Python, machine learning, and big data tools to build production-grade solutions for financial market analysis and detection of anomalies. I enjoy turning complex data problems into scalable pipelines and actionable insights, delivering interactive visualizations that inform business decisions. In my current role at FINRA, I designed an AWS-based PySpark pipeline to monitor market manipulation and trained production-ready models, including a TensorFlow network with Bayesian hyperparameter tuning. I thrive on collaborating with market analysts and cross-functional teams to curate datasets and translate findings into practical actions. Previously, as a Postdoctoral/Graduate Researcher, I worked on physics data analysis and detector design, developing strong skills in C++, parallel processing, and collaborative research across the U.S. and France.

Robert Heitz

I am a data scientist with over 5 years of experience leveraging Python, machine learning, and big data tools to build production-grade solutions for financial market analysis and detection of anomalies. I enjoy turning complex data problems into scalable pipelines and actionable insights, delivering interactive visualizations that inform business decisions. In my current role at FINRA, I designed an AWS-based PySpark pipeline to monitor market manipulation and trained production-ready models, including a TensorFlow network with Bayesian hyperparameter tuning. I thrive on collaborating with market analysts and cross-functional teams to curate datasets and translate findings into practical actions. Previously, as a Postdoctoral/Graduate Researcher, I worked on physics data analysis and detector design, developing strong skills in C++, parallel processing, and collaborative research across the U.S. and France.

Available to hire

I am a data scientist with over 5 years of experience leveraging Python, machine learning, and big data tools to build production-grade solutions for financial market analysis and detection of anomalies. I enjoy turning complex data problems into scalable pipelines and actionable insights, delivering interactive visualizations that inform business decisions.

In my current role at FINRA, I designed an AWS-based PySpark pipeline to monitor market manipulation and trained production-ready models, including a TensorFlow network with Bayesian hyperparameter tuning. I thrive on collaborating with market analysts and cross-functional teams to curate datasets and translate findings into practical actions. Previously, as a Postdoctoral/Graduate Researcher, I worked on physics data analysis and detector design, developing strong skills in C++, parallel processing, and collaborative research across the U.S. and France.

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Experience Level

Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Senior Data Scientist at FINRA
April 1, 2020 - Present
Designed and implemented an AWS-based PySpark pipeline to monitor stock market manipulation, processing cross-market securities trading data with parallelized feature engineering. Developed and deployed a TensorFlow neural network with Bayesian hyperparameter tuning to detect simultaneous price and volume spikes. Led collaboration with market analysts and litigation lawyers to curate a tailored dataset and trained production-ready models to identify manipulation patterns. Built an interactive Plotly Dash dashboard with SQL integration to visualize outputs for rapid decision-making.
Postdoctoral/Graduate Researcher at University of Illinois
January 1, 2013 - January 1, 2019
Analyzed pion data on transversely polarized protons using C++ fitting libraries, determining a 95% probability of a quantum spin influence on subatomic particles. Reduced systematic errors in muon alignment data using CERN's batch system for parallel processing. Collaborated with engineers across the U.S. and France to design and construct a 6×10 m² detector and supported data collection as a detector expert for two years.

Education

Ph.D. at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
January 1, 2013 - May 1, 2019
B.S. at Virginia Tech
January 11, 2030 - May 1, 2012

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Financial Services, Software & Internet, Professional Services, Media & Entertainment