Dennis Houlihan
About Me
I am a physics-trained Data Scientist specializing in machine learning, statistical modeling, and quantitative analysis. My work and experience spans many fields including cosmology and astronomy, experimental nuclear physics, as well as financial and public-sector data science. I firmly believe that the diversity of my work has given me the ability to approach problems of varying types and scopes in a principled manner. I focus on understanding the data given and underlying assumptions to inform my approach, as well as study and test the limitations of any model or technique being used. I believe this approach leads to more principled and robust results.
Experience & Education
Work Experience
Data Scientist
Florida Department of Management Services
2024 - Present
Building automated ELT/ETL pipelines, data visualizations, and consulting with leadership on how to best leverage data within the state.
Nuclear Physics Research Assistant
John D. Fox Laboratory
2022 - 2024
Conducted nuclear physics research involving quantitative analysis on large-scale datasets. Developed Python tools for data processing.
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Department of Physics
2021 - 2022
Taught college-level physics courses, covering advanced topics like mechanics, electricity and magnetism, and statistical physics.
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Rochester Institute of Technology
2020 - 2021
Studied images taken by NASA's New Horizons spacecraft to determine its viability to be used as a detector for extragalactic background radiation.
Education
Data Analytics Graduate Certificate
Florida State University
2025 - Present
This certificate includes courses that focus on building skills of developing artificial intelligence (AI) and big data analytics within industry settings.
Master's in Physics
Florida State University
2021 - 2022
Research focused on experimental nuclear physics, statistical modeling, and data analysis.
Bachelor's in Physics
Rochester Institute of Technology
2017 - 2021
Graduated Cum Laude with honors. Focus on cosmology and astrophysical research.