Projects

Amidst the unprecedented circumstances, the West Big Data Innovation Hub collaborated with the Border Solutions Alliance, which includes my Alma Mater, UCSD, to pioneer a groundbreaking initiative. The project's primary objective was to address the challenges faced by the U.S.-Mexico border region during the COVID-19 pandemic by utilizing data-driven approaches. The aim was to develop evidence-based solutions that would enhance the understanding of real-time risk levels across various situations and effectively communicate them to the public.

Our project aimed to empower individuals, restaurants, institutions, and organizations in making informed decisions regarding COVID-19 risks. The application we developed provides users with up-to-date information on the current capacity, occupancy, and historical cases in their area. It enables users to reserve time slots for visiting specific locations. Our plan was to create the app using Node.JS, incorporating phone location data while maintaining a privacy policy based on the principles of DP3T.

This program plays a vital role in supporting data-driven decision making by leveraging the advantages of self-reporting. By aggregating results, the project facilitates individuals in assessing the incidence and risk levels of COVID-19 in their neighborhood or area. It particularly focuses on supporting businesses by providing a seamless check-in process for visitors and guests, as well as offering tools for organization and occupancy tracking to prevent overcrowding. Notably, our product secured the second-place position in the retail and services category.

See the product demo video by clicking here

I had the privilege of collaborating with the renowned Mexican Migration Field Research Project (MMFRP), an esteemed academic program based at the University of California, San Diego, which focuses on qualitative and quantitative research. Our joint efforts aimed to analyze the aspirations and effectiveness of students and practitioners located at educational institutions in the U.S.-Mexico border region.

The program has a threefold objective:

• Training the next generation of immigrant advocates by equipping them with in-depth knowledge of international migration and advanced skills in data collection and analysis.

• Expanding our understanding of the consequences of migration and forced displacement through binational, fieldwork-based team research.

• Disseminating research findings through publications, web-based reports, and briefings for public officials and the mass media.

Collaborating with UCSD and the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California on this bi-national research endeavor was an exceptional experience. Ultimately, we presented recommendations to State Legislators in Sacramento, advocating for binational collaboration among economic, private, and educational entities. The aim was to empower parents, support students, and ensure institutions provide easy access to enrollment. These recommendations were also shared with the government of Tijuana.

With the given data, I wrote up a document detailing my focus during this research, Social Networks. Read about it here. 

I had the privilege of providing consultation services to a distinguished public sector client, namely the United States Department of State. The primary objective was to identify and recommend modern Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solutions to combat the radicalization of individuals within refugee camps.

Considering the sensitive nature of the project and client confidentiality, I am constrained in terms of divulging specific details. However, it is worth noting that the endeavor was spearheaded by the Obama Administration Staff and involved ongoing collaboration, meetings, and agile content creation.

The project focused on in-depth research across several key areas:

• Internet Safety Approach: Exploring strategies to ensure online safety and mitigate risks associated with radicalization.

• Addressing Threats: Identifying and analyzing the various threats and challenges posed by radicalization within refugee camps.

• Resource Implementation: Assessing the feasibility and effectiveness of implementing ICT resources to counter radicalization.

• Collaboration with the Industry: Engaging with relevant industry stakeholders to leverage their expertise and technological advancements in addressing radicalization.

Upon the completion of the contract, the deliverables were provided to the staff involved in the project. Although I am unable to share more specific information, I take great pride in having been part of this opportunity.

Research & Community Impact:

In a distinctive project, I designed, implemented, and analyzed an econometric survey in rural Jalisco's 'Los Altos' region, an area renowned for its agricultural focus. This is also the region from where my family originates, with my parents migrating to California before my birth. This project offered me a unique opportunity to contribute to my ancestral region by providing valuable econometric data, insights, and recommendations.

I carried out this project in collaboration with the local government's Human and Social Development program. Traveling alongside the PROSPERA team across the municipality's rural and urban areas, I assisted in implementing their program (a conditional cash-program & social security benefits for the elderly) while concurrently conducting my research.

The objective of my research was to gauge the quality of life of families based on their geographical location, socioeconomic backgrounds, and educational attainment. Considering the rural, educationally disadvantaged settings, the task required innovative measures to assess the quality of life. I devised a scaling system attributing specific weights to certain goods or items present in a family home.

Once all data were collected, cleaned up in Excel, randomized, and analyzed using STATA, the results revealed fascinating insights. In essence, while the people were content and appreciative of the social benefits, the findings suggested that educational opportunities, particularly for the family matriarchs (the mother and/or father), could significantly enhance their quality of life. This pointed towards a ripple effect of education within families and communities.

For a detailed account of this research, click the link below. (Please note the report is in Spanish as the study was conducted in Mexico.)

Find my results here.