ALVARO FUENTES
D IRECTOR, D ATA SCIENTIST
Q UANT C OMPANY
Residency: Manizales, Colombia
Mobile: (-
Email:-Email2:-Web portfolio: afuentes.quantcompany.com
Data scientist with background in Applied Mathematics and Economics with more than 8 years of experience in analytic roles.
As professional my mission is to deliver value from data: I use statistics, predictive modelling and other quantitative
techniques to solve business and research problems.
P ROFESSIONAL E XPERIENCE
January 2014 – Present
Quant Company, Manizales, Colombia.
Founder, Data Scientist
Independent data science consultant, I use predictive modeling, statistics, machine learning, and other data
analysis techniques to collect, explore, extract patterns and find relationships from data and deliver
actionable insights. I have worked mainly in projects from business and education.
Usually deliver the results in the form of interactive analytic applications that translate data into intelligence,
using the R-Shiny web framework.
Trainer in data science topics: R programming language, statistics, visualization, and business analytics.
Mentor in the Data Science Workshops offered by Springboard.com.
August 2013 – December 2014
University of Manizales, Manizales, Colombia.
Consultant and Adjunct
Statistical consultant for many research projects in diverse fields such as Economics, Psychology, Engineering,
Education and Communication.
Lecturer in the following courses: Statistics, Statistics for Social Research, Introduction to Data Analysis and
Microeconomics.
August 2011 – May 2013
Mathematics Department, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, USA.
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Lecturer of the following courses: College Algebra, Calculus I and Calculus II.
Taught to an average of 40 students per class, basic mathematical principles and techniques, mathematical
and logical thinking and applications of mathematics.
July 2007 – June 2011
Department of Economic Studies, Central Bank of Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala.
Economic Analyst
Researched and explained the behavior economic variables such as: foreign exchange rate, monetary
variables, interest rate, international trade, international monetary reserves, remittances and others.
Performed quantitative analysis of economic and financial data: econometric estimations, statistical analysis,
building and interpretation of quantitative models.
Developed specific quantitative models for the life cycle of paper money and the foreign exchange rate.
Contributed to the elaboration of periodic reports published by the Central Bank of Guatemala on topics such
as the balance of payments, exchange rate behavior, int ernational trade and monetary variables.
Prepared technical reports and presentations on economic issues: periodic reports on economic variables of
Latin American economies, international monetary reserves, exchange rate behavior, among others.
July 2003 – August 2005
Pollo Campero, Guatemala City, Guatemala.
Data Analyst
Started as a customer service representative, then promoted to the data analyst position.
Performed statistical analysis of the information coming from the call center: call du ration, frequency of calls,
delivery time, complaints, satisfaction of costumers, etc.
Advised the manager on scheduling of employees according to the results of analysis of call center ’s data.
Analysis and reporting of surveys: product surveys, customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, etc.
E DUCATION
Graduate College, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, USA.
Master of Science, May 2013.
Major: Applied Mathematics
Cumulative G.P.A. 3.96/4.00
University Rafael Landívar/Bank of Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala.
Master of Science, August 2010.
Major: Quantitative Economics and Finance
Cumulative G.P.A. 4.0/4.0 (top student)
University of San Carlos of Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala.
Bachelor’s Degree, May 2008 .
Major: Economics
Cumulative G.P.A. 3.6/4.0 (top student)
L ANGUAGES AND S KILLS
Languages: Spanish (native), English (second).
Software:
o R: dplyr, ggplot2, ggvis, Shiny, caret.
o Python: anaconda, numpy, pandas, matplotlib , seaborn, scikit-learn, Graphlab, Jupiter Nb, django.
o Other: SQL, Git, HTML, advanced MS Excel, MS Office, Tableau, Eviews.
Mathematics, Probability and Statistics: single and multivariable calculus, linear algebra, numerical
analysis, optimization, calculus of variations, optimal control, linear programming, descriptive and
inferential statistics, probabilistic modeling, random variables, estimation, bootstrap, hypothesis testing,
linear models, experimental design, sampling, Monte Carlo simulations, PCA, Bayesian statistics.
Data Science and Machine Learning: data preparation, exploratory data analysis, visualization,
regularization, cross-validation, variable and model selection. Regression: ridge, lasso, knn, kernel
methods, trees, SVM. Classification: logistic regression, discriminant analysis, classification trees, knn, SVM.
Clustering: k-means and hierarchical clustering, LDA. Ensembles: bagging, random forests, boosting.
Economics and Econometrics: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, monetary sector, balance of payments,
central bank activities, linear models, ETS, ARIMA, GARCH, structural VAR models, Granger causality.
Problem solving and strong analytical skills. Ability to turn real life situations into quantitative models.
Passionate about learning, growing and contributing with my work. Able to work independently and as a
member of a team. Self-directed, fast learner, motivated, positive, entrepreneurial.
A CADEMIC PROJECTS
Selected Publications (in Spanish)
A. Fuentes, Villada, O. (2015). Using Machine Learning methods to determine the relationship between
educational background and ICFES score results . ICFES Estudios. (Accepted for publication)
Angel, A. Fuentes, A. (2014). Perceptions of corruption in the Colombian Coffee Region . Papel Político. Vol.
20(1).
Fuentes, A. (2012). On the responsibility over price stability. Revista ECO, 7, 55-63 .
Fuentes, A. (2010). Remittances and economic growth: A non -econometric point of view. Revista ECO, 5,
86-100.
Relevant Talks
“Evaluating the effects of educational background in results of ICFES tests using machine learning
algorithms”. Universidad de Manizales, 2015.
“Predicting student dropout in the University of Manizales”. Universidad de Manizales, 2015.
“Evaluating univariate time series forecasting using wavelet denoising methods”. Ohio University, 2012.
“Using R in applied econometrics”. University Rafael Landívar. Guatemala City, 2010.
“Structure of the current balance of the Balance of Payments”. Bank of Guatemala. Guatemala City. 2010.
“A mathematical model to determine the life cycle of paper money”. Bank of Guatemala. Guatemala City.
2008.
