Nayeon Kwon

Passionate Data Scientist

About Me

👩🏻‍💻 Junior Data Scientist | Statistical Analysis Expert

Hi, I’m Nayeon, a Junior Data Scientist passionate about uncovering insights through data. I specialize in statistical analysis and machine learning, using my expertise to tackle real-world problems.

With over two years of academic experience in Statistics and a year of hands-on work as a Statistical Analyst, I apply my skills to deliver data-driven solutions. I’m proficient in Python and R, and I focus on creating valuable insights through statistical techniques, machine learning, and data visualization.

Personal Interests

Having taught Korean in both Korea and Sweden, I developed a passion for clear communication and cultural exchange—skills that enhance my ability to work in diverse environments. I’m an avid language learner, currently studying French as I prepare for a working holiday in Canada. Outside of work, I find balance through yoga and pilates, which help me stay focused and grounded. Recently, I’ve developed a passion for Formula 1 and am exploring the idea of an F1 data analysis project.

Professional Interests

I’m deeply interested in causal inference and Bayesian statistics, areas I explored extensively during graduate studies. I stay up-to-date on the latest trends in data science and machine learning, constantly looking for innovative ways to solve complex problems. I’m eager to collaborate on projects that drive meaningful change through data and contribute to impactful solutions.

I’m excited to connect with like-minded professionals and explore new opportunities. Let’s chat about potential collaborations or how I can contribute to your projects. Feel free to schedule a meeting with me through ☕ Calendly or reach out via email.

Skills

Experience

Statistical Analyst, Population Census Division, Statistics Korea

Nov 2023 - Jun 2024

  • Enhanced demographic plots and choropleth maps using R, improving readability by 30%.
  • Optimized data retrieval processes, reducing time by 80% and boosting efficiency in census data analysis.
  • Contributed to key projects like the "2024 Population and Housing Census" and demographic analysis of youth in South Korea.

Statistical Intern, Population Census Division, Statistics Korea

Apr 2023 - Oct 2023

  • Led the transition from ArcGIS to R, resulting in substantial annual cost savings and significantly improving spatial data visualization.
  • Developed effective demographic visualizations and efficiently managed multiple tasks across teams, ensuring high quality and timely delivery.

Teaching Assistant, Sungkyunkwan University

R Programming 101 (Aug 2021 - Dec 2021), Biostatistics 101 (Feb 2021 - Jun 2021)

  • Assisted in grading coding assignments and exams for over 70 students, provided feedback, and supported students in learning key concepts.

Education & Honors

Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea

Master of Science: Statistics (Sep 2020 - Feb 2023)

GPA: 3.65/4.5 | Key Courses: Causal Inference, Machine Learning, Bayesian Statistics, Advanced Regression Analysis

Lab: Bayesian Causal Inference Group | Visit Lab

Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea

Bachelor of Arts: Korean Language Education / Business Administration (Mar 2015 - Aug 2020)

GPA: 3.89/4.3 | Exchange Program at Jönköping University, Sweden (Jan 2019 - Jun 2019)

Honors: Received academic scholarship for the second semester 2016

Honors & Awards

  • The 2nd prize in Graduate Student Conference Presentation Awards, issued by The Korean Data & Information Science Society, Nov 2022 - View Presentation

Projects

Project 1: Predicting Small Business Closures using Machine Learning

Developed machine learning models (CatBoost, randomForest, BART) to predict SME closures, achieving an F1 score of 0.992 and accuracy of 0.987.

View Project

Project 2: 2023 Population and Housing Census Press Release

Led the strategic transition from ArcGIS to R, achieving substantial cost savings and reducing choropleth map creation times, which significantly improved team efficiency in spatial data visualization.

Spearheaded the development of demographic plots and choropleth maps using R and Excel, enhancing data visualization processes.

Project 3: Analysis of Changes in Youth Demographics of South Korea (2000-2020)

Designed and optimized demographic plots and choropleth maps using R, advancing data visualization efforts and improving readability by 30%, leading to better analytical insights.

View Project

Project 4: 2024 Population and Housing Census Press Release

Optimized data retrieval processes, reducing processing time by 80% and significantly enhancing efficiency in statistical analysis.

View Project

Publications

“Causal effect of urban parks on children’s happiness”

The Korean Journal of Applied Statistics (Feb 2023)

Investigated the impact of urban park size on children's happiness using multiple statistical methods, providing insights for policymakers.

Visit Publication
View GitHub Repository

Volunteering

Korean Language Teacher

Organization: Ansan Migrant Center

Duration: Sep 2015 - Apr 2016 (8 months)

Description: Volunteered to teach elementary-level Korean language and culture to migrant workers. The role involved cultural exchange through shared events, where we enjoyed traditional foods from different countries together.

Korean Language Teacher

Organization: Kyung Hee University

Duration: Sep 2018 - Dec 2018 (4 months)

Description: Taught Korean in one-on-one sessions as part of a university program. This role enhanced my cross-cultural communication skills and provided valuable insights into different cultural backgrounds, while offering support during a busy time in my college life.