Regression Analysis

Nicolas Nunez-Sahr

Consultant
Statistics

I lived in Santiago, Chile until I graduated from high school, and then moved to the US for undergrad at Stanford, where I obtained a Bachelor’s degree from the Statistics Department. I then worked as a Data Scientist in an NLP startup that was based in Bend, OR, which analyzed news articles. I love playing soccer, volleyball, table tennis, flute, guitar, latin music, and meeting new people. I want to get better at mountain biking, whitewater kayaking, chess and computer vision. I find nature astounding, and love finding sources of inspiration.

Gaby May Lagunes

Consultant
ESPM

Hello! I’m Gaby (she/her). I am PhD student at the ESPM department, I hold a masters in Data Science and Information from the Berkeley ISchool and I have 5+ years of industrial experience in different data roles. Before that I got a masters in Engineering for International Development and an undergraduate degree in Physics from University College London. And somewhere between all that I got married, survived the pandemic, and had two awesome boys. I’m very excited to help you use data to enhance your work and your experience here at Berkeley!

Ini Umosen

Consultant
Economics

Ini is a PhD candidate in the Department of Economics. She studies topics in labor economics and the economics of education using applied econometrics methods. Current work in progress includes evaluating the impact of school choice systems and investigating gender and racial bias on gig platforms. She is a former Graduate Research Fellow at the California Policy Lab. She has also been a tutor for econometrics, labor economics, and macroeconomics.

Finley Golightly

IT Support & Helpdesk Supervisor
Applied Mathematics

Finley joined D-Lab as full-time staff launching their career in Data Science after graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Applied Math from UC Berkeley.

They have been with D-Lab since Fall 2020, formerly as part of the UTech Management team before joining as full-time staff in Fall 2023. They love the learning environment of D-Lab and their favorite part of the job is their co-workers! In their free time, they enjoy reading, boxing, listening to music, and playing Dungeons & Dragons. Feel free to stop by the front desk to ask them any questions or...

Leveraging Large Language Models for Analyzing Judicial Disparities in China

October 8, 2024
Nanqin Ying
by Nanqin Ying. This study analyzes over 50 million judicial decisions from China’s Supreme People’s Court to examine disparities in legal representation and their impact on sentencing across provinces. Focusing on 290 000 drug-related cases, it employs large language models to differentiate between private attorneys and public defenders and assess their sentencing outcomes. The methodology combines advanced text processing with statistical analysis, using clustering to categorize cases by province and representation, and regression models to isolate the effect of legal representation from factors like drug quantity and regional policies. Findings reveal significant regional disparities in legal access driven by economic conditions, highlighting the need for reforms in China’s legal aid system to ensure equitable representation for marginalized groups and promote transparent judicial data for systemic improvements.

Anna Björklund

Senior Data Science Fellow 2024-2025, Data Science Fellow 2023-2024
Linguistics

I am a fifth-year PhD student in the Department of Linguistics with an areal interest in the Wintuan languages, traditionally spoken in the northern Sacramento Valley and now undergoing revitalization. My primary research interests are in leveraging archival recordings for the phonetic analysis of these under-documented languages, as well as designing tools to assist in their revitalization. I have worked as a linguistic consultant for the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians since 2020 and the Wintu Tribe of Northern California since 2022. I received my MA in linguistics from UC...

Leah Lee

Senior Data Science Fellow 2024-2025, Data Science Fellow 2023-2024
Integrative Biology

I am a PhD candidate in the department of Integrative Biology. My research interest is at the intersection of biomechanics, entomology, and physiology. Currently I am studying how beetles use their shield-like forewings called elytra for flight, thermoregulation, and protection. Prior to UC Berkeley, I worked as a research assistant at Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST), studying algae phylogenetics. I received my B.A. in Biology and Mathematics from Swarthmore College.

Alex Ramiller

Senior Data Science Fellow 2024-2025, Data Science Fellow 2023-2024
City and Regional Planning

I am a PhD Candidate in City and Regional Planning. My research focuses on the use of large administrative datasets to study residential mobility, neighborhood change, and housing access. I received a Master in Geography from the University of Washington and a Bachelor's in Economics and Geography from Macalester College. I have also consulted on analytical projects for several organizations including the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank, PolicyLink, and the City of Seattle.

Farnam Mohebi

Data Science Fellow 2023-2024, Data Science for Social Justice Senior Fellow 2024
Haas School of Business

I am a PhD student at the Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley, and a researcher in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of California, San Francisco, having previously earned my MD and MPH degrees. My research focuses on the intersection of professionals and emerging technologies, drawing from the fields of medical sociology, organizational theory, and science and technology studies. I am particularly fascinated by the evolving relationship between physicians and artificial intelligence, the phenomenon of physician influencers, and the social...

Valeria Ramírez Castañeda

Data Science for Social Justice Fellow (2024-2025)
Integrative Biology

Valeria Ramírez Castañeda is a Colombian biologist currently pursuing a PhD in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of California, Berkeley. I completed my undergraduate degree in Biology at the National University of Colombia and earned a master's degree in Ecology and Evolution, as well as another in Science Communication. During her PhD, she is studying the interactions between snakes and frogs and how this influences the evolution of toxin resistance in snakes. She is also collaborating and leading projects regarding the consequences of English in science and the...