Computer Science & Business Analytics
villa200@mit.edu
MIT
© 2023 Villalobos. All Rights Reserved
Contact MeIntroduction
Hey! My Name is Isaac Villalobos, Student at MIT
I'm a rising Junior at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and I'm majoring in Computer Science & Engineering with a double major in Business Analytics. HASS Concentration in Economics.
About
About Me
I'm a Mexican-American born and raised in Boise, Idaho. Growing up with immigrant parents, I was always taught the value of working with discipline and grit in whatever you do. This wisdom has dictated my life and lead me to pursue my academic passions of Math and Science throughout high school, and eventually, at MIT. Here I'm studying Computer Science and Business Analytics with an emphasis on taking courses related to Artificial Intelligence, Finance, and Probability & Statistics. While I'm still uncertain on what I want to do after graduation, I'm excited to explore the different opportunities that come my way, with a particular interest in the Tech, Finance, and Consulting Industries. I'm a creative thinker with strong problem-solving and analytical skills. I like to understand the "big picture", the "how" and the "why" of a problem, instead of simply memorizing formulas and reaching arbitrary answers.
Resume
Education
Bachelor Degree in Computer Science & Engineering (6-3)
This major covers a wide range of algorithms and theory, software engineering, programming languages, computer systems, human-computer interaction and graphics, and artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Bachelor Degree in Business Analytics (15-2)
With this major you learn different approaches to make sense of complex data and uncertainty. You focus on how to make informed data-driven decisions by using efficient business practices. Heavy on quantitative research and rigor.
Work Experience
Summer Associate
Currently working.
Undergraduate Research Associate
I had the opportunity to work alongside Thomas Kochan, pioneering an MITx course focused on workers' rights in the digital age. One of my key contributions was recommending and implementing a new course module based on my research in emerging technologies like generative AI. I made sure to adapt the module to teach students about the impact of these trends on the future of work, keeping the course relevant and preparing students for the challenges of the digital age.
Additionally, I applied data analytics and machine learning techniques to analyze over 300 student discussion posts. This allowed me to assess student retention and engagement. By extracting valuable insights from the data, I was able to identify areas for improvement and implement strategies to increase student retention rates. This data-driven approach enhanced the overall effectiveness of the course and contributed to the success of the program.
Web Development Engineer
During my time at Core Mental Health as part of the Priscilla K. Gray Social Impact Internship, I took on various responsibilities to support their mission of connecting minority groups with non-profit mental health services. First and foremost, using HTML and CSS, I programmed a new website for Core Mental Health, aiming to enhance accessibility and facilitate the connection between minority communities and mental health resources.
Additionally, I played a significant role in the organization's brand restructuring. Core Mental Health, formerly known as CHNA-17, needed a brand identity that better reflected its mission statement. I took charge of designing and launching this brand restructuring, ensuring that the new branding effectively communicated their focus on racial equity in mental health.
In addition to website development and brand restructuring, I also contributed to improving Core Mental Health's overall digital presence. I redesigned their newsletter, created a donation page to facilitate funding, set up Mailchimp for streamlined communication, and revamped their social media accounts to effectively engage with their target audience.
Research Intern - Computing Research Center
During my participation in the MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives program (MISTI), I had the opportunity to intern at the Computing Research Center of the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN). This experience allowed me to immerse myself in the vibrant Mexico City and gain valuable cross-cultural insights.
Under the guidance of Dr. Mario Eduardo Rivero Ángeles, I worked on a project focused on improving the energy efficiency of wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Leveraging my skills in Python programming and mathematical modeling, I analyzed the performance of various node sorting algorithms in WSNs. Through my research and implementation, I successfully achieved a remarkable 38% improvement in energy efficiency.
To document my work and contribute to the scientific community, I authored a Research Paper that detailed the methodologies employed and presented the significant findings of the project. This paper serves as a testament to my ability to conduct rigorous research, apply computational techniques, and communicate complex concepts effectively.
Activities
Clubs & Leadership Experience
Camp Kesem MIT
Camp Kesem is a nationwide community, driven by passionate college student leaders, that supports children through and beyond their parent’s cancer. Camp Kesem is the largest national organization dedicated to this unique population – supporting children with innovative, fun-filled programs that foster a lasting community. As a counselor, my role involved guiding a group of children through various planned activities and events, always prioritizing their safety and ensuring compliance with the rules and regulations of the recreational facilities. It was my responsibility to create a positive and secure environment for them to thrive and enjoy their experiences.
MIT Capital Partners
MIT Capital Partners leverages the talent and entrepreneurial ecosystem of MIT to augment the investment teams of a global base of corporate, government, and independent venture capital firms. The curated group of top-performing MIT students provides unparalleled access to nascent ventures within both MIT's graduate and undergraduate schools. MIT Capital Partners delivers deep, multi-vertical industry insights to partner VC firms with an aggregate $33B AUM alongside Collegiate Capital Partners.
Nations United Soccer
Nations United Soccer is a non-profit organization whose mission is to help refugee and immigrant children and teens overcome adversity through soccer. I was the Head Coach for the U-10 Boys Soccer Team which was newly established in the Rush Soccer League. I had the privilege of coaching and mentoring a group of 24 talented and resilient kids. Throughout the season, I focused not only on developing their soccer skills but also on instilling values of discipline, sportsmanship, and fostering their aspirations. During team huddles and practices, I took on the role of a mentor, providing guidance and support to the players. In my first season as head coach, I led the team to the league championship game, a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players. The experience taught me the importance of effective leadership, teamwork, and the positive impact sports can have on young individuals.
ColorStack
ColorStack delivers community building, academic support, and career development opportunities at scale to Black & Latinx computer science students. They exist to increase the number of Black and Latinx Computer Science graduates that go on to launch rewarding technical careers. They do this by organizing a portfolio of tools, resources, and opportunities to ensure that every member is equipped to complete his/her degree and land a full-time, technical job. As a member, I’ve taken advantage of this opportunity by actively contributing to the ColorStack community and learning from the resources provided by the club.
Fellowships
Fellowships
Jane Street
The Jane Street IN FOCUS program is a challenging program that invites undergraduate and graduate students to spend a week with the firm in New York City. In the software engineering track, I delved into OCaml, a functional programming language, and explored the libraries and tools extensively used at Jane Street. I demonstrated my proficiency by successfully building the game Snake from scratch using OCaml. During my time in the program, I also leveraged my technical skills and creativity to engineer an algorithmic trading bot that implemented various trading strategies, trading: Bonds, Stocks, ADRs, and ETFs. This project allowed me to showcase my abilities, and I ended up securing 2nd place in Jane Street's ETC (Electronic Trading Challenge). During the program, I also had the chance to meet the talented team at Jane Street and gain a deep understanding of their problem-solving approaches.
Morgan Stanley
During my participation in the Early Insights program at Morgan Stanley, I had the incredible opportunity to delve deeper into the company's culture and gain a comprehensive understanding of the role played by the Quantitative Finance Division within the organization. This experience provided valuable insights into how the division interacts with and contributes to the broader firm. A major highlight of the program was my involvement in the Morgan Stanley Amplify Trading Simulation. This simulation offered a realistic and immersive experience in Investment Bank Trading and Asset Management. It allowed me to apply my knowledge and skills in a practical setting, gaining hands-on experience in the fast-paced world of finance. Engaging in this simulation further developed my understanding of the complexities and dynamics involved in these areas.
