Meet Ian
Hi there! I’m Ian, Director and Lead Data Scientist at Equalysis.
I founded Equalysis in 2024 after receiving my Master of Science in Data Science. But my journey as an activist didn't always involve data science. Before grad school, I worked as an Investigative Specialist for the Public Defender Service of the District of Columbia (PDS). At PDS, I led post-conviction resentencing investigations under the Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act, supported the office’s collection of computer-aided dispatch (CAD) reports, and helped implement a police misconduct database. I hold my time at PDS close to my heart—the challenges I faced, and the stories shared by clients, showed me the urgent need for change in our criminal legal system and highlighted the role data science can play in making investigations more effective and more extensive. My experiences at PDS, in so many ways, planted the seeds for Equalysis.
Building on my experiences at PDS, I worked as a Research Data Scientist at the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California, where I focused on analyzing traffic stop data. Much of my work involved automating the analysis of body camera footage in a case investigating racial discrimination in rural California. My involvement opened my eyes to the tangible impact of thoughtful, ethical artificial intelligence in investigative work. I hope to share that same impact with Equalysis' community network.
My academic background laid the foundation for my passion for data-driven activism. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Government and Psychology from Cornell University, graduating cum laude with distinction in all subjects, and a Master's in Data Science from the University of San Francisco.
