Mohammad Aghdam: Data and Political Scientist

Exploring Data-Driven Insights on Political, International and Financial Affairs

Hi, I’m Mohammad Aghdam, a data scientist and political scientist on a mission to use data to understand and solve complex global problems.

About Me

I am a political scientist and data scientist with a PhD in Political Science from the University of Geneva. My dissertation, “Disintegrationist Ideologies: Ethnic Mobilization and Violence,” involved extensive data analysis and statistical modeling to explore relationships between ethnic power dynamics and political violence. As part of ETH Zurich’s Ethnic Power Relations project, I developed and analyzed large-scale datasets, using tools like Python and R for predictive modeling and data visualization, which provided essential insights for academia and policy-making.

I also contributed to the Civilian Victimization in Conflict Zones project, sponsored by ETH Zurich, where I designed data collection processes and produced in-depth reports for stakeholders. My increasing interest in how data reveals patterns and informs strategic decisions naturally led me to deepen my skills in quantitative analysis and data science.

In addition to my research, I developed comprehensive data science and statistics courses at Zürich City Business School, preparing students with skills in Python, machine learning, and data visualization. My technical proficiency includes Python, R, SQL, and various machine learning libraries, allowing me to manage complex data integration and modeling projects, including algorithmic trading applications.

My interests bridge political science and data science, focusing on international relations, economic development, and AI applications in understanding complex global issues. I am driven by the transformative power and innovative solutions data science offers for both academic research and practical applications. I continuously expand my skills to stay at the forefront of technological advancements and am always eager to collaborate and share knowledge with fellow researchers and data science professionals. Feel free to connect with me to explore ideas together.

Qualifications

Education

PhD in Political Science
University of Geneva, 2020

MA in Political Science
University of Bern, 2014

BA in International Studies
Open University, 2011

BS in Business Information Technology
University of Applied Sciences St. Gallen, 2003

Skills

Advanced AI Models

Proficient in developing and implementing state-of-the-art AI technologies, including Large Language Models (LLMs), Generative Pre-trained Transformers (GPTs), and Transformers for various applications. Skilled in fine-tuning, model optimization, and transfer learning techniques to enhance model performance and application specificity.

Machine Learning & Deep Learning

Extensive experience in Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Deep Learning, and Reinforcement Learning using Python and R. Familiarity with frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, and Keras.

Data Science

Advanced skills in data analysis and visualization, predictive modeling, and algorithm development. Proficient in utilizing Python and R for data manipulation, statistical analysis, and visualization.

Programming Languages

Proficient in Python, R, Stata, and SQL for data analysis, modeling, and application development.

Databases

Experienced in database management and query optimization using MySQL, MongoDB, Elasticsearch, SQLite, and Microsoft Access.

Big Data Technologies

Skilled in leveraging Big Data technologies such as Apache Spark and BigQuery for processing large datasets. Experienced in data visualization and business intelligence tools like Power BI.

Web Technologies

Comprehensive knowledge in web scraping, web development (using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Flask, Django, WordPress), and managing web servers (Apache, Nginx, Nginx Unit, LiteSpeed, OpenLiteSpeed). Proficient in deploying and managing applications on cloud platforms.

Languages

Multilingual with fluency in English, German, Arabic, and Persian; intermediate proficiency in French; basic understanding of Turkish; native proficiency in Kurdish.