Astronomers Turned Data Scientists Podcast

About Astronomers Turned Data Scientists Podcast

A podcast featuring interviews with a variety of former astronomers / current data scientists. Created as part of the Astronomers Turned Data Scientists (ATDS) community (which also has annual meetings at the American Astronomical Society’s Winter Meeting).

Publisher

astro2data

Category

business · science

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

3 Jan 2024

Latest episode

24 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

16 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   24 Oct 2026

   16. Jieun Choi

   Jieun Choi discusses her background in Physics and Astronomy and her transition to Data Science. She then goes in depth about working at Netflix in different roles and on different teams. She also talks about how data science jobs and titles depend a lot on the company. Links Jieun’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/-jieunchoi/ 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 Headshot Image: Jieun Choi Thumbnail Design: Joseph A'Hearn We thank the American Astronomical Society for being an official sponsor of the podcast. Timecodes 0:00 - Intro 1:03 - Background in Physics and Astronomy 5:09 - The Decision to Leave Academia 11:17 - The Decision to Enter Data Science 14:27 - Gap Year and Getting a Data Science Job 24:10 - Working in Data Science at Netflix 42:15 - Data Science Jobs and Titles 45:46 - Advice for Astronomers Entering Data Science 48:42 - Outro #Astronomy #DataScience #Transitions #Podcast #ATDS #Astro2Data

2. 

   11 Mar 2026

   15. Isaac Shivvers

   Isaac Shivvers discusses his background in Astronomy, Geology, and Physics, his transition to Data Science, and his experience at various Data Scientist jobs, including the bankruptcy of Airware. He then dives deep into Computer Vision: his experiences, beginner projects, steps to take for those who have Astronomy experience and want to get into a Computer Vision role, and his predictions for the future in Computer Vision. Links Isaac’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ishivvers/ Airware Bankruptcy Article: https://techcrunch.com/2018/09/14/airware-shuts-down/ 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 Headshot Image: Isaac Shivvers Thumbnail Design: Joseph A'Hearn We thank the American Astronomical Society for being an official sponsor of the podcast. Timecodes 0:00 - Intro 1:14 - Background in Geology, Astronomy, and Physics 4:50 - The Decision to Leave Academia 8:41 - The Decision to Enter Data Science 13:30 - First Data Scientist Job at the Startup Airware 23:44 - Subsequent Data Scientist Jobs and Computer Vision 31:50 - How to Get into Computer Vision 40:29 - Beginner Computer Vision Projects 46:00 - Predictions for the Future in Computer Vision 51:38 - Outro #Astronomy #DataScience #Transitions #Podcast #ATDS #Astro2Data

3. 

   2 Jan 2026

   14. Marcos Huerta

   Marcos Huerta discusses his astronomy background, his transitions first to science policy and later to data science, and his current data science job at Carmax. He also talks about data science bootcamps, interviews, work-life balance, and his predictions for the future of data science and LLMs. Links Marcos’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcoshuerta/ Marcos’s Website: https://marcoshuerta.com/about/ 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 Headshot Image: Marcos Huerta Thumbnail Design: Joseph A'Hearn We thank the American Astronomical Society for being an official sponsor of the podcast. Timecodes 0:00 - Intro 1:07 - Astronomy Background 4:18 - Transition to Science Policy 8:06 - Transition to Data Science 11:40 - Job Changes within Science Policy 15:32 - Data Science Bootcamps and Alternatives 21:55 - Interviewing 26:20 - Data Science at Carmax 33:50 - Day-to-Day and Work-Life Balance 40:26 - Predictions for Data Science and LLMs 47:46 - Final Advice 49:40 - Outro #Astronomy #DataScience #Transitions #Podcast #ATDS #Astro2Data

4. 

   20 Oct 2025

   13. Julia Silge

   Julia 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://juliasilge.com/blog/ ROpenSci: https://ropensci.org/ Her first O’Reilly book: https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/text-mining-with/9781491981641/ SciPy Conference: https://conference.scipy.org/ Her Talk at SciPy 2024: https://youtu.be/MVuxbtERZMI?si=1pSajS3Y1I5CjjBx 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 Headshot Image: Julia Silge Thumbnail Design: Joseph A'Hearn We thank the American Astronomical Society for being an official sponsor of the podcast. Timecodes 0:00 - Intro 1:37 - Astronomy Background 7:45 - Careers After Leaving Astronomy 8:49 - Emergence of Data Science 10:36 - UT Austin Astronomy Conducive to Data Science 12:45 - Getting into Data Science 19:13 - First Data Science Job 21:36 - Consulting Roles 25:44 - Writing Books 28:16 - Current Role at Posit PBC 35:51 - Switch from Individual Contributor to Manager 42:50 - Advice for Astronomers Becoming Data Scientists 48:29 - Scientific Computing Across Languages 56:13 - Outro #Astronomy #DataScience #Transitions #Podcast #ATDS #Astro2Data

5. 

   13 Aug 2025

   12. Chris Lindner

   Chris 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 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 Headshot Image: Chris Lindner Thumbnail Design: Joseph A'Hearn Timecodes 0:00 - Intro 0:49 - Astronomy Background 2:09 - Study Group About Entering Data Science 6:29 - Communication Between Industry and Academia 13:05 - Transition into Data Science 19:40 - Diversity of Interviews 23:27 - Networking and Getting Referrals 26:28 - How Data Science Has Changed Over the Years 34:56 - Important Non-Technical Skills 38:20 - Most Recent Positions: Data Science and Professional Poker 43:14 - Relevance of Math for Poker 47:06 - Final Advice for Astronomers Becoming Data Scientists 49:13 - Outro #Astronomy #DataScience #Transitions #Podcast #ATDS #Astro2Data

6. 

   10 Apr 2025

   11. Tom Kirsh

   Tom 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-Hosts: Jeffrey Silverman and Joseph A’Hearn Recording: Jeffrey Silverman Editing: Joseph A’Hearn ATDS Podcast Logo: Joseph A’Hearn Thumbnail Headshot Image: Tom Kirsh Thumbnail Design: Joseph A'Hearn Timecodes 0:00 - Intro 0:58 - Astronomy Background 4:35 - Applying to Grad Schools and Data Science Foundations 10:38 - Search for a Data Science Position 13:38 - Experience in First Data Scientist Position 27:20 - Pitching Astronomy Experience in a Data Science Interview 30:35 - Envisioning Next Career Steps 37:44 - Second Job Search 44:08 - Advice for Transitioning to Data Science This Year 47:50 - Outro #Astronomy #DataScience #Transitions #Podcast #ATDS #Astro2Data

7. 

   22 Feb 2025

   10. Patrick Aleo

   Patrick 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.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 Headshot Image: Patrick Aleo Thumbnail Design: Joseph A'Hearn Timecodes 0:00 - Intro 1:04 - Highlight of Recent Transition to Data Science 2:11 - Astronomy and ML Background 9:37 - Transition to Data Science 15:43 - Transferable Skills and Applying for Industry Positions 22:30 - Adapting to his Industry Data Scientist Position 28:40 - Scope of his Current Data Science Work at Honeywell 38:30 - Advice to Academics Considering the Transition 42:11 - Impact of ML on Astronomy Today 46:39 - Advocating for Yourself 49:50 - Outro #Astronomy #DataScience #Transitions #Podcast #ATDS #Astro2Data

8. 

   7 Jan 2025

   9. Julie Hollek

   Julie 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 relation) Co-Hosts: Jeffrey Silverman and Joseph A’Hearn Recording: Jeffrey Silverman Editing: Joseph A’Hearn ATDS Podcast Logo: Joseph A’Hearn Thumbnail Headshot Image: Julie Hollek Thumbnail Design: Joseph A'Hearn Timecodes 0:00 - Intro 1:34 - Astronomy Background 4:32 - Grad School, Coding Bootcamp, and Transition to Data Science 8:01 - Career Progression in Data Science 13:31 - Transition from Individual Contributor to Manager and Director; Types of Jobs 21:20 - Is a Bootcamp Worth It?; The Value of Networking 26:42 - The Advantage of an Astronomy Background for Data Science 31:05 - Involvement in the SciPy Conference and Community 43:49 - Advice for People Transitioning to Data Science 47:14 - Invitation to the SciPy Conference 48:09 - Outro #Astronomy #DataScience #Transitions #Podcast #ATDS #Astro2Data

9. 

   7 Dec 2024

   8. Eva Noyola

   Astronomer Eva Noyola shares her journey from astronomy to data science, highlighting how her background has prepared her to tackle challenges in the public sector.

10. 

    4 Oct 2024

    7. Kevin Moore

    Kevin 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 A’Hearn ATDS Podcast Logo: Joseph A’Hearn Thumbnail Headshot Image: Kevin Moore Thumbnail Design: Joseph A'Hearn Timecodes 0:00 - Intro 0:47 - Astronomy Background 2:40 - Transition to Data Science 4:52 - First Data Science Job 7:15 - Scala and Python 9:40 - Programming, Computational Astrophysics, and Tools to Get a Data Science Job 16:09 - Favorite Projects Venturing into the Unknown 17:26 - Joining a Startup As a Data Scientist 23:03 - Interviewing Data Scientist Candidates 39:17 - Future of NLP and LLMs 48:33 - Outro #Astronomy #DataScience #Transitions #Podcast #ATDS #Astro2Data

11. 

    22 Jun 2024

    6. Riwaj Pokhrel

    Riwaj 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/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/riwajpokhrel/) ADP List: https://adplist.org/ (https://adplist.org/) Credits Intro Music: Tonight At Eight by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com (https://www.silvermansound.com) (no relation) Outro Music: Savour The Moment by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com (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 Headshot Image: Riwaj Pokhrel Thumbnail Design: Joseph A'Hearn Timecodes 0:00 - Intro 1:30 - Astronomy Background 6:10 - Transition to Data Science 16:28 - Current Data Scientist Role 23:56 - Expectations vs. Reality about the Transition 28:00 - Technical and Transferable Skills 40:50 - Sharing the Love of Astronomy as a Data Scientist 45:32 - Total Solar Eclipse 2024 Experience 49:00 - Final Thoughts about the Future of Data Science 56:40 - Outro #Astronomy #DataScience #Transitions #Podcast #ATDS #Astro2Data

12. 

    10 May 2024

    5. Betsy Barton

    Betsy Barton (https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsy-barton/) discusses her career trajectory from Astronomy to Data Science. She goes in depth about AI tools, shares about her company Infiniscape and their social media app Kyndr (https://kyndr.com/), and also converses about the emotional barrier to leaving Academia and Astronomy. Music by Shane Ivers (https://www.silvermansound.com): Tonight At Eight (Intro), Savour The Moment (Outro)

13. 

    19 Apr 2024

    4. Marcel Haas

    Marcel Haas (https://www.linkedin.com/in/harcel/) 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. Music by Shane Ivers (https://www.silvermansound.com): Tonight At Eight (Intro), Savour The Moment (Outro)

14. 

    1 Mar 2024

    3. Genevieve Graves

    Genevieve Graves (https://www.linkedin.com/in/genevievegraves/) discusses her transition to Data Science, sharing her experience with startups and consulting, how to decide what to do, how VCs determine what projects to fund, the future in the field, why astronomers make good data scientists, and how she discovered work-life balance. Music: Tonight at Eight, Savour the Moment - Shane Ivers (https://www.silvermansound.com)

15. 

    2 Feb 2024

    2. Jess Kirkpatrick

    Jess Kirkpatrick (https://www.linkedin.com/in/berkeleyjess/) 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. Music by Shane Ivers (https://www.silvermansound.com): Intro - Tonight At Eight, Outro - Savour The Moment

16. 

    3 Jan 2024

    1. Taka Tanaka

    Taka Tanaka (https://www.linkedin.com/in/takatanaka/) discusses his transition from Astronomy to DS (https://github.com/taka-tanaka/astronomy-to-data-science/blob/master/ATDS.pdf), his career progression to DS Manager, and what he expects to unfold in DS during the next few years. Tonight At Eight (Intro) & Savour The Moment (Outro) by Shane Ivers - Silverman Sound (https://www.silvermansound.com) Co-Hosts: Jeffrey Silverman and Joseph A'Hearn

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 15 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

5

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

60