ABOUT US

Our Vision

A world where data helps without harm.

The DSA Team

Our Mission

To build a thriving and sustainable responsible data science and AI ecosystem.

The Data Science Alliance (DSA) is dedicated to using data and AI as a force for good. This technology is advancing faster than ever before, and the need for ethics and safeguards has never been greater. Through our projects, internships, volunteer programs, and events, we’re building a future where these tools work for people, not against them. But we can’t do it alone.

We invite you to join us. With your support, we are fostering a community that inspires, uplifts, and leads ethical innovation.

A warm embrace

DSA Values

Respect

We value the unique perspectives and ideas that arise from a diverse and inclusive community.

Openness

We strive for honesty and transparency in our projects and operations.

Growth

We’re nurturing a community that is engaged with our mission. We aim to develop as individuals and as a team, inspired to learn, innovate, and collaborate.

Agility

We work to stay ahead of the curve as technological innovations are ever-evolving.

Meet the Board

In 2019, this passionate group of data and tech leaders created the Data Science Alliance as a beacon for those committed to navigating the evolving tech landscape with integrity and purpose.

Board Member Taner Halicioğlu
Taner Halicioğlu
Board Member Dr. Ilkay Altintas
Dr. Ilkay Altintas
Board Member Dr. Bradley Voytek
Dr. Bradley Voytek
Board Member Richard Chute
Richard Chute
Board Member Nedim Halicioğlu
Nedim Halicioğlu
Board Member Kylie Taitano
Kylie Taitano
Board Member Alex Bates
Alex Bates

Meet the Team

We are the builders committed to a future where data scientists and enthusiasts champion the responsible data science principles of Fairness, Transparency, Privacy, and Veracity.

Team Member Patricia Lopez
Patricia Lopez

Executive Director

Team Member Ryan Lopez
Ryan Lopez

Director of Operations
& Projects

Team Member Dr. Adir Mancebo Jr.
Dr. Adir Mancebo Jr.

Data Science Manager

Team Member Phish Jeffrey KnightMoore
Phish Jeffrey KnightMoore

Principal Brand Designer

Team Member Kallyn Hobmann
Kallyn Hobmann

Communications & Marketing Manager

Team Member Orion Tang
Orion Tang

Designer

Team Member Shay Samat
Shay Samat

Data Scientist

Team Member Ana Caballero
Ana Caballero

Behavioral Analytics
& UX Specialist

Team Member Timothy KnightMoore
Timothy KnightMoore

Web Developer

Part-Time
and Interns

Our part-time workers and interns are vital to building an ecosystem where data science and AI are used responsibly. Through hands-on experience and mentorship, we nurture the next generation of ethical and thoughtful practitioners.

Part-Time Product Designer Jacie Littell
Jacie Littell

Product Designer

Part-Time Developer Diego Pereyra
Diego Pereyra

Developer

Part-Time Data Scientist Dr. Shirin Shirazi
Dr. Shirin Shirazi

Data Scientist

Alvin Zhou

Product Designer

Brandon Conda

Copywriter

Clarisa Camacho

Digital Illustrator

Derek Huang

Data Science

Ezer Patlan

Mobile iOS Developer

John Wesley Pabalate

Product Designer

Kieran Niehans

Design

Lesley Garcia

Marketing

Mariel Neis

Product Designer

Nicole Shirley

Developer/Design

Nicole Wong

Digital Illustrator

Noael Jabrael

Data Science

Page Mach

2D Artist

Regine Valdez

UI Artist

Ry'Lee Davis

Design

Sean Gonsalves

Data Science

Tamika Hsieh

2D Artist

Zayn Ashraf

Developer

The Responsible Data Working Group

This diverse group of professionals and industry leaders generously share their time, insight, and expertise; helping shape our projects and programming.

Working Group Member Rajesh Gupta
Rajesh Gupta

Academia

Working Group Member Dr. Katie Shilton
Dr. Katie Shilton

Academia

Working Group Member Dr. David Danks
Dr. David Danks

Academia & Government

Working Group Member Di Le
Di Le

AI & Design

Working Group Member Grant Kluzak
Grant Kluzak

Data Analytics

Working Group Member Maritza Johnson
Maritza Johnson

Security & Privacy

Working Group Member Ion Nemteanu
Ion Nemteanu

Data Science

Working Group Member Irene Giannoumis
Irene Giannoumis

AI & Machine Learning

Working Group Member Steve Hobmann
Steve Hobmann

Information Technology

Working Group Member Maria Lupetini
Maria Lupetini

AI & Machine Learning

Working Group Member Vitor Carvalho
Vitor Carvalho

AI, Machine Learning, & NLP

Working Group Member Zhen Zhai
Zhen Zhai

AI & Machine Learning

Working Group Member Huy Ly
Huy Ly

Tech Entrepreneur

Working Group Member G Anthony Reina
G Anthony Reina

AI & Machine Learning

Working Group Member Kayla Monnette
Kayla Monnette

UI/UX Design

Working Group Member Rakesh Senthilvelan
Rakesh Senthilvelan

Data Science

Working Group Member Bijan Arbab
Bijan Arbab

Data Science

Working Group Member Marianne C. Halloran, PhD
Marianne C. Halloran, PhD

Data Science

Taner Halicioğlu

Taner Halicioğlu

Data scientist, startup pioneer, and DSA founder Taner Halicioğlu practiced the art of data science before it had a name—leveraging data in concert with his skills as a software developer and systems engineer, helping tech giants Cisco, LoudCloud, and eBay scale their capacity to match their goals. He continued to turn founders’ visions into realities when he joined Facebook as its first full-time employee. After leaving Facebook in 2009, he was recruited to launch Starcraft 2 successfully for Blizzard—a dream job for a longtime gamer and worldbuilder. In 2017, he established the Halicioglu Data Science Institute at his alma mater, UC San Diego, to expand the practice of data science to solve problems worldwide.

Dr. Ilkay Altintas

Dr. Ilkay Altintas

Dr. Ilkay Altintas earned the moniker “Lady of Fire” for her groundbreaking work using real-time data to predict and contain wildfires. However, as Chief Data Science Officer of the San Diego Supercomputer Center, it's hardly the first thing she's set ablaze. Ilkay is also the Founder and Director of the Workflows for Data Science (WoRDs) Center, and she teaches the next generation of big data experts as a Fellow at the Halicioğlu Data Science Institute. She faces her toughest students, however, when she testifies before Members of Congress, providing instruction on the impact and value of national investment in science.

Dr. Bradley Voytek

Dr. Bradley Voytek

Before Dr. Bradley Voytek was a respected UC San Diego professor and neuroscientist, he was a renegade data scientist revolutionizing transportation at Uber. Brought in to bring direction to the chaos at the nascent startup, he helped Uber use data to change how we move through cities worldwide. Then, Brad dusted off his PhD in Neuroscience from UC Berkeley, determined to bring a data scientist's acumen to traditional research while serving as both a start-up investor and advisor. He is also a founding faculty member at the Halicioglu Data Science Institute and the Neurosciences Graduate Program at UCSD. Brad also moonlights as a consultant to the United States National Academy of Sciences Science & Entertainment Exchange.

Richard Chute

Richard Chute

From watching Star Trek in its original run on TV and getting a first-edition copy of Star Wars for Christmas, to watching Cosmos as a young college student, Richard Chute has always been fascinated by space exploration. He is now the Chief Development Officer of The Planetary Society, the world's largest independent space interest group whose mission is to empower the world's citizens to advance space science and exploration. In the workplace, Richard is an advocate for the responsible use of data science. Equipped with a healthy appreciation for science, his path led him to nonprofit fundraising, and he is excited to support the Data Science Alliance's mission to use data science to empower communities.

Nedim Halicioğlu

Nedim Halicioğlu

Not many people who understand cognitive neuroscience become attorneys, and not many attorneys become founders. Nedim Halicioğlu has defied the odds. He has founded several startups and evaluated the prospects of hundreds more. Ned has an eye for finding and elevating talent, and brings an attorney's acuity to the companies he shepherds. He currently handles investment strategies for Keshif Ventures, LLC, and serves on the board of NotesFirst, Inc. — a state-of-the-art medical record app bringing access to underserved communities and emerging markets around the world.

Kylie Taitano

Kylie Taitano

Kylie Taitano is the co-founder and CEO of the nonprofit Code With Her, an organization that empowers thousands of students from underrepresented communities through coding workshops, mentorship, and culturally grounded STEM education. Kylie earned her Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from UC San Diego in 2014 and serves on the department’s Alumni Advisory Board. She began her career at Intuit, where she spent nine years as a Software Engineer before becoming a Software Engineering Manager. Today, she leads a TurboTax Online platform team, serving tens of millions each year. Rooted in her CHamoru heritage, Kylie also serves on the Board of the House of Chamorros in Balboa Park.

Alex Bates

Alex Bates

Alex Bates was drawn into the world of technology because it was rebellious. From hacking schematics from the early Internet as an '80s kid, to publishing a computational solution to diagnose early-stage glaucoma as an undergraduate, Alex has combined data and industriousness to innovate. After applying analytics on some of the world’s largest data warehouses at Teradata, Alex was co-founder and CTO of Mtell, acquired by AspenTech in 2016.

Patricia Lopez

Patricia Lopez

Executive Director

Patricia is a tenacious tech entrepreneur with over 15 years of executive experience. Prior to joining Data Science Alliance, she was the CEO and co-founder of NotesFirst, a cloud-based platform that helps doctors capture and improve the quality of health data in emerging markets of the world. She was selected as a Fellow and Speaker at the 2018 Women's Entrepreneurship Summit held by the United Nations in New York City, and was featured in Forbes' “60 Women-Led Startups That Are Shaking Up Tech Across The Globe”. At the age of 21, Patricia started her first company, LFC Solutions.Net - the first online accounting platform in the Philippines. With her boundless energy and passion for Responsible Data Science, she is determined to help DSA grow.

Ryan Lopez

Ryan Lopez

Director of Operations & Projects

Ryan is a self-described “techpreneur” having contributed to or founded companies in healthcare, IT, and entertainment. Applying his tinkerer and doer mindset he has also taken on various roles within those companies, including: R&D engineer, systems engineer, project manager, software developer, product manager, and CTO. For Ryan, DSA is an inspiration and an incredible opportunity to help evolve the landscape of data analysis and careful application of AI.

Dr. Adir Mancebo Jr.

Dr. Adir Mancebo Jr.

Data Science Manager

Born and raised on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, Adir fell in love with San Diego when he first visited the US more than a decade ago. A trained economist with over 10 years of experience, Adir earned both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Economics at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) in Brazil - where he received the award for Best Undergraduate Thesis in the Department of Economics in 2012. He recently earned his PhD in Economics at Florida International University and also holds a Data Scientist Professional Certificate from DataCamp. Adir's passion for problem-solving with data has led him to a career in the exciting world of data science.

Phish Jeffrey KnightMoore

Phish Jeffrey KnightMoore

Principal Brand Designer

Phish has been a designer for 14 years and has a great love for designing products that improve the lives of others. In 2023, Phish started their first company, Corsin Haus Inc, with a focus on providing Product Design, Brand Design, and Design System services to small and medium-sized companies. Phish is passionate about the positive impact that DSA can have on data science practices and is excited to be a part of DSA's continued growth. In addition to their work as a product designer, Phish is also a small farmer and parent to two kids.

Kallyn Hobmann

Kallyn Hobmann

Communications & Marketing Manager

Kallyn is known for uniting the community through authentic storytelling. Before joining Data Science Alliance, she earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in Media Arts, Science & Technology at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. As an anchor and multimedia reporter at an ABC News station, Kallyn spent three years producing dynamic stories that gave others a voice and kept the public well-informed. She now uses her journalistic background to advance the Responsible Data Science conversation with visual and written content that educates and inspires action.

Orion Tang

Orion Tang

Designer

Orion is a multidisciplinary designer and producer who bridges data, design, and creative products that feel both playful and purposeful. After earning his bachelor's degree from UC San Diego, he moved directly into the nonprofit startup space and now supports mission-driven projects at DSA where he leads branding and creative initiatives. In his free time, he volunteers in the indie game community, helping teams navigate everything from concept to launch and bringing organized chaos to optimize how they work.

Ana Caballero

Ana Caballero

Behavioral Analytics
& UX Specialist

Ana believes in the power of technology and using it responsibly for society's benefit. She earned a double major in cognitive science (design and interaction) and international business, along with a minor in computational social science at UC San Diego. With her passion for social impact and evolving technologies, at DSA she helps others understand the needs of San Diegans by collecting data and conducting behavioral analysis. She also works to optimize the user experience behind DSA's digital products and is actively involved in DSA's Data Safety Academy, where she contributes to expanding access to technology education by supporting the development of accessible learning resources for underrepresented communities.

Shay Samat

Shay Samat

Data Scientist

Shay is passionate about using data science to drive community impact. He holds a B.S. in cognitive science with a machine learning specialization from UC San Diego and is currently pursuing an M.S. in computer science with an AI specialization at Georgia Tech, where he contributes to research on AI teaching assistants. At DSA, Shay applies his expertise in machine learning, data visualization, and advanced analytics to develop innovative solutions for partners across San Diego. He also mentors students on data science projects, helping the next generation of practitioners build technical skills and a commitment to ethical data practices.

Timothy KnightMoore

Timothy KnightMoore

Web Developer

As a Web Developer, Tim brings a unique perspective on logic and language to the team. After a 15-year career teaching Latin and English, Tim transitioned to the tech industry, recognizing that the syntax and structure of ancient languages provide a strong foundation for modern web development. He brings a lifelong love of learning to the role and is eager to support DSA's mission of responsible and transparent data science. When not coding, Tim enjoys reading, sunny days full of hiking and swimming, and tending the gardens and animals on his family's small farm.