Shows
Astronomers Turned Data Scientists Podcast13. Julia SilgeJulia Silge discusses how she got into astronomy, her first non-data science positions after leaving academia, and how she then started blogging about data science and going to conferences, which opened up the door to new opportunities, including open source contributions, writing books, and data science positions. She shares advice for those who are considering making the transition from astronomy to data science. She also talks about the experience of speaking at SciPy 2024 about scientific computing across languages.
Links:
Julia’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliasilge/
Julia’s blog: https...
2025-10-2056 minAstronomers Turned Data Scientists Podcast12. Chris LindnerChris Lindner talks about his Astronomy background, his transition into Data Science, as well as his stint as a professional Poker player. He also discusses how as a graduate student he was involved in starting a study group about entering Data Science, how there is no real method to interviews, how he continues to stay connected to Academia through events like Astronomy on Tap, and what non-technical skills are important for Astronomers looking to become Data Scientists.
Links:
Chris’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-lindner-170a0385/
Credits
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2025-08-1349 minAstronomers Turned Data Scientists Podcast11. Tom KirshTom Kirsh talks about his astronomy experience during undergrad, learning data science foundations, getting hired as a data scientist, and his next career steps. He also offers advice about how to pitch yourself in interviews and emphasizes the need for data cleaning.
Links:
Tom’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomaskirsh/
Credits
Intro Music: Tonight At Eight by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com (no relation)
Outro Music: Savour The Moment by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com (no relation)
Co-Ho...
2025-04-1148 minAstronomers Turned Data Scientists Podcast10. Patrick AleoPatrick Aleo talks about his astronomy background, how he developed his skills for data science over several years of graduate school, his recent transition to data science, and his fresh industry experience. He also offers his advice to academics who are considering making the transition to data science.
Links:
Patrick’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickdaleo/
Patrick’s Talk at ATDS 6: https://youtu.be/2j9lVBcBpfY?t=20&si=gkTwR7TP8ZU0NbEL
Credits
Intro Music: Tonight At Eight by Shane Ivers - https://www.silv...
2025-02-2250 minAstronomers Turned Data Scientists Podcast9. Julie HollekJulie Hollek discusses her Astronomy background, her transition to Data Science, and her experience as an Individual Contributor, Manager, and Director. She also talks about bootcamps, the SciPy conference, and advantages for people coming from Astronomy into Data Science.
Links:
Julie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliehollek/
SciPy Conference: https://conference.scipy.org/
Credits
Intro Music: Tonight At Eight by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com (no relation)
Outro Music: Savour The Moment by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com (no...
2025-01-0748 minAstronomers Turned Data Scientists Podcast8. Eva NoyolaEva Noyola discusses her Astronomy background, her transition to Data Science, her experience as a Data Analyst and in the public sector, and how Astronomy has prepared us to take on challenges.
Links:
Eva’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eva-noyola-743a06178/
Credits
Intro Music: Tonight At Eight by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com (no relation)
Outro Music: Savour The Moment by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com (no relation)
Co-Hosts: Jeffrey Silverman and Joseph A’Hearn
Recording: Jeffrey Silverman
Editing: Joseph A’Hearn
ATDS Podcast Logo: Joseph A’Hearn
Thumbnail...
2024-12-0750 minAstronomers Turned Data Scientists Podcast7. Kevin MooreKevin Moore talks about how he got into Astronomy and transitioned from there to Data Science. He discusses his current job at a startup. He goes into details about programming, interviews, and the role of LLMs in the future of Data Science.
Links:
Kevin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmoore13/
Credits
Intro Music: Tonight At Eight by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com (no relation)
Outro Music: Savour The Moment by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com (no relation)
Co-Hosts: Jeffrey Silverman and Joseph A’Hearn
Recording: Jeffrey Silverman
Editing: Joseph...
2024-10-0449 minAstronomers Turned Data Scientists Podcast6. Riwaj PokhrelRiwaj Pokhrel discusses his recent transition from Astronomy to Data Science, the factors that led to this decision, and his current role as a Data Scientist. He then compares what he expected out of this transition with what his current experience is. He talks about networking and other important transferable skills. He shares how he has regained some of his original love for Astronomy after his transition. Finally, he shares advice for people who are hoping to transition to Data Science.
Links:
Riwaj’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riwajpokhrel/
ADP List: https://adplis...
2024-06-2357 minAstronomers Turned Data Scientists Podcast5. Betsy BartonBetsy Barton discusses her career trajectory from Astronomy to Data Science, including time at a hedge fund and as a DS Manager before starting her own company. She goes in depth about AI tools that can be built on LLMs and imagines their intersection with robotics. She shares how she has adapted the vision for her company Infiniscape and their social media app Kyndr. She also converses about the emotional barrier to leaving Academia and Astronomy.
Links:
Betsy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsy-barton/
Renaissance Technologies: https://www.rentec.com/Home.action?index=true
Kynd...
2024-05-1050 minAstronomers Turned Data Scientists Podcast4. Marcel HaasMarcel Haas discusses what led him into Astronomy, why and how he transitioned to Data Science, his experience in various Data Science positions, and his current role teaching Data Science. He also talks about differences in the field between Europe and North America, transferable skills, and craft beer.
Links:
Marcel’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harcel/
Marcel’s Website: https://marcelhaas.com/
Credits
Intro Music: Tonight At Eight by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com (no relation)
Outro Music: Savour The Moment by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com (no relatio...
2024-04-2055 minAstronomers Turned Data Scientists Podcast3. Genevieve GravesGenevieve Graves discusses her transition from Astronomy to Data Science, sharing her experience with startups and with consulting. She speaks about how to figure out what you want to do and how venture capital firms determine what sort of projects to fund. She also shares her thoughts about the future in the field, why astronomers make good data scientists, and how she discovered work-life balance during Covid.
Links:
Genevieve’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/genevievegraves/
Credits
Intro Music: Tonight At Eight by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com (no relation)
Outro Music...
2024-03-0253 minAstronomers Turned Data Scientists Podcast2. Jess KirkpatrickJess Kirkpatrick discusses her transition to Data Science, outreach for others considering a similar transition, multiple moves between companies, interesting projects, and predictions for the next few years in Data Science.
Links:
Wage Report for hired.com: https://hired.com/wage-inequality-report/2020/#intro
Jess’s Astronomer to Data Diva post on Medium - https://medium.com/data-diva/astronomer-to-data-diva-e3c457f6621d
Jess's blog: https://berkeleyjess.blogspot.com/
Jess's blog specifically about becoming a DS (with links to many other related posts she's written): https://berkeleyjess.blogspot.com/2015/02/so-you-want-to-be-data-scientist.html
Jess’s Women in Astronomy blog posts about DS - h...
2024-02-0256 min
Astronomers Turned Data Scientists Podcast1. Taka TanakaTaka Tanaka discusses his transition from Astronomy to Data Science, how his career has progressed to the current point of being a Data Science Manager, and what he expects to unfold in the field of Data Science during the next few years.
Links:
Taka’s Astronomy to Data Science Slides: https://github.com/taka-tanaka/astronomy-to-data-science/blob/master/ATDS.pdf
Taka’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/takatanaka/
Credits
Intro Music: Tonight At Eight by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com (no relation)
Outro Music: Savour The Moment by Shane Ivers - https://www.sil...
2024-01-0353 min