Cecilia Paolini

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Data Scientist with a Master of Science degree in Applied Data Science for Banking and Finance. Possesses expertise in AI, machine learning, quantitative finance, and time series analysis, with experience in applying predictive modelling (Python, R, SAS) to large datasets.

Complemented by a Mathematical Engineering degree, a Finance Certificate, 2 years of professional experience, and current work co-founding a stealth mining-tech venture to architect algorithm-driven operational dashboards.

Eligible to work in Australia (Bridging Visa A) - Partner Visa application lodged on November 2025

Core skills

  • Programming: Python (Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn), TypeScript, R, C
  • Data Science: Propensity Modelling (XGBoost), Clustering (K-means), Classification, Time Series
  • Database & Platforms: MySQL, Databricks (PySpark), Version Control (Git)
  • Other: MATLAB, Excel (advanced)

  • Languages: English (fluent), Italian (native)
  • Other interests: 200-hour Yoga teacher training (in progress), Volunteered at the Uniting the Marion Leichhardt (biweekly) and Mondo Gatto (occasionally)
Work
Stealth Startup Venture (Mining Tech)
Stealth Startup Venture (Mining Tech)
Co-Founder & Full-Stack Engineer
Mar 2026 - PresentSydney, Australia

Partnered with a mining expert to build a real-time scheduling dashboard that turns messy field workflows into a semi-automated, minute-by-minute shift coordinator. [See Projects section]

Product Design: Designed a centralized dashboard that turns scattered field data into a clean, unified view for shift supervisors

Core Algorithm: Co-developed a constraint-based scheduling engine that maps out minute-by-minute development tasks (drilling, blasting, bogging) and assigns appropriate machines

Full-Stack Development: Built a TypeScript grid matrix that lets users edit schedules on the fly and instantly recalculates timelines when variables change (delays, cable bolting)

Beforepay
Beforepay
Data Scientist - Growth squad
Oct 2025 - Feb 2026Sydney, Australia

Risk Strategy: Developed risk strategies for the personal loan pipeline, balancing data governance, risk, and compliance requirements with profitability; translated transactional data into assessment logic to support future predictive modeling infrastructure

Data Analytics: Queried large and complex datasets using SQL and Databricks to identify user segments driving core business growth

NPL Strategy: Designed an NLP strategy to extract keywords from user transaction text for automated financial categorization

Macquarie University Centre for Health Economy (MUCHE)
Macquarie University Centre for Health Economy (MUCHE)
Visiting Fellow – curricular work experience
Jul 2025 - Jun 2026Sydney, Australia

Data Analytics (EDA): Analysed and cleaned the Longitudinal Survey of Australian Youth (LSAY) dataset, made of 15,078 observations and 4,677 variables: using R, addressed missing data, errors, and removed ineligible observations

Data Preparation: Prepared the dataset for analysis by mapping and merging variables with related values and cross-referencing them with another dataset to enable future linking

Predictive Modeling: Developed and evaluated predictive models using both standard econometric regressions and machine learning, ensuring a strong foundation in statistics and data analysis

Documentation: Documented all methodology and findings to ensure easier handoff to the other researchers

Oltre Impact
Oltre Impact
Investment Intern
Mar 2023 - Sep 2023Milan, Italy

(Oltre Impact is the first impact fund manager in Italy. Its main goal is to promote and finance the development of enterprises capable of combining economic sustainability and social values)

Market Research: Performed in-depth trend analysis and technical/regulatory research on specific impact markets (e.g., sustainable plastics, waste management) contributing insights to the investment strategy

Startup Valuation: Analysed start-ups’ valuations and industry metrics using platforms like Pitchbook and Crunchbase to assess their strategic fit and business model feasibility

MV Consulting
MV Consulting
Junior Management Consultant
Apr 2021 - Mar 2022Milan, italy

Cloud Migration: Led migration of financial data to Oracle PBCS cloud infrastructure for a multinational client

Data Management: Conducted data management and transformation tasks for an ERP project across 100+ entities. Managed complex accounting datasets, ensuring data quality and reporting accuracy under tight deadlines.

Team Collaboration: Involved team collaboration and complex problem-solving with limited initial guidance

Education
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
MSc in Applied Data Science for Banking and Finance
Oct 2023 - Sep 2025Brescia, Italy

Thesis: Modeling systemic risk with ∆CoVaR: a comparison of linear and neural network approaches [See Projects section]

Relevant project: Benchmark-neutral portfolio optimization. Implemented a custom factor model in Python for benchmark-neutral portfolio optimization, incorporating targeted factor tilts [See Projects section]

Relevant coursework: Data Analysis, IT Coding, Finance and Banking, Business Analytics, Game Theory, AI and Machine Learning, Data Analytics for Investment, Quantitative Finance, Time Series Analysis and Forecasting

University of California, Los Angeles (Extension)
University of California, Los Angeles (Extension)
Certificate in Finance (Awarded with Distinction)
Mar 2022 - Dec 2022Los Angeles, CA

Relevant coursework: Managerial Finance and Advanced Applications of Managerial Finance, Fundamentals of Investing, Financial Statement Analysis, Principles of Accounting A and B, Introduction to Data Science

Politecnico di Milano
Politecnico di Milano
BSc in Mathematical Engineering
Oct 2015 - Jul 2020Milan, Italy

Final dissertation: Analysed Google’s PageRank algorithm using Markov Chain theory and network analysis principles to examine the mathematical foundation of webpage importance assessment

Relevant coursework: Calculus 1-2-3, Probability, Statistical Inference 1-2, Numerical Analysis (MATLAB)