Hunter R. Merrill
Principal Data Scientist
Columbus, OH
hmerrill12@gmail.com
Bio
Results-oriented technical lead with a passion for solving real-world problems with data science. I have 8+ years experience in predictive modeling and 3+ years experience leading cross-functional teams, and extensive experience with advanced statistical & machine learning methods including Bayesian modeling, deep learning and probabilistic forecasting. I have authored multiple peer-reviewed publications and patents.
Skills
Expert: Statistics Machine learning Predictive modeling Probabilistic forecasting Project management
Experienced: Backend engineering Remote sensing
Novice: Frontend engineering Web development
Tools
Expert: Python R Bash Git SQL Tensorflow Spark LaTeX
Experienced: Javascript HTML CSS PyTorch QGIS AWS
Novice: C++ Matlab
Personal Projects
- Kaggle competition: Birthweight prediction intervals
- Training journal: Bayesian metabolic markers
- Web app: fitnesssignals.com
Service
University of Florida Agricultural & Biological Engineering Advisory Board
Dec 2022 - Current
Responsible for advising on the department’s mission statement and strategy, as well as ensuring curricula result in successful placement of graduates.
Work Experience
Climate LLC / Bayer
Principal Data Scientist
Sept 2024 - Current
I lead agile teams to deliver ML-enabled tools and software. I am responsible for influencing the strategic direction of the business unit and for defining quarterly milestones and two-week deliverables, and for working with commercial teams to align software development with business goals.
- Developed QGIS plugin software for improving efficiency of field boundary management.
- Developed image- and text-classification neural network models for automated evidence verification to improve the efficiency of practice change evidence review.
- Conducted exploratory work for fine-tuning and in-house hosting of an LLM RAG framework to enable natural language queries of carbon market registry documentation.
Lead Data Scientist
Nov 2020 - Sept 2024
I led agile teams to deliver predictive models for crop diseases. I was responsible for defining scientific strategy, quarterly milestones and two-week deliverables, and for working with commercial teams to align scientific research with business goals.
- Developed a deep learning gaussian process model for jointly forecasting multiple diseases. Later adapted for use across multiple programs.
- Defined a data valuation strategy & hired two contractors to execute on it.
- Identified and addressed the risks of collecting more of the same data across programs.
Senior Data Scientist
April 2018 - Nov 2020
- Developed probabilistic deep learning models for in-season wheat disease forecasts.
- Created deep learning embeddings of high-dimensional environmental data that are predictive of crop yield.
- Mentored an intern to develop probabilistic deep learning models to forecast soybean yield over long lead times.
Geospatial Statistician
May 2017 - April 2018
Developed predictive models to identify crop nutrient deficiencies in soil using satellite imagery.