Zhanna Zhanabekova
Data Scientist - Tech Lead, Generalist
Expertise: Econometrics, Economics, Machine Learning, Statistics, Experimentation
Industries: Big Tech, Health, Economic Consulting
Education: PhD in Economics (Columbia University), graduate work in Machine Learning (NYU)
Fun: Math Club
About Me
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I'm a Data Scientist with 10 years of experience since earning my PhD. I have worked across a broad range of domains, including social media, virtual reality (VR), health tech, and antitrust.
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I thrive on untangling multi-layered business problems with messy data, where success depends in part on approaches grounded in causal inference and machine learning. Most recently, I led a large cross-functional initiative at Meta’s Metaverse org (formerly Reality Labs) to measure, at scale, how content drives sales of VR headsets.
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I hold a PhD in Economics from Columbia University. Outside of work, I run a math club to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.
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Work Experience
2022 - 2025
2021 - 2022
2018 - 2020
2016 - 2017
2013 - 2016
Data Scientist at Meta's Reality Labs / Metaverse, New York, NY
I led a large cross-functional effort to measure how virtual reality apps and games drive sales of VR headsets. This work informed content investment decisions, promo strategies, and demand forecasting.
Data Scientist at Instagram, New York, NY
First IC data scientist at Instagram working to mitigate algorithmic bias in order to improve user experience on the platform.
Data Scientist at AbleTo (Optum's acquisition), New York, NY
Built targeting algorithms to identify leads for AbleTo's flagship product marketed to health plans.
Machine Learning at NYU's Master's in Data Science Program, New York, NY​
Economic Consultant at Analysis Group, Boston, MA & New York, NY
Worked on antitrust and finance litigation cases (e.g., hospital mergers).
Education
Ph.D. in Economics, Columbia University, New York, NY
In my flagship paper, I investigated how community health centers influence the use of emergency departments for non-urgent care.
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M.A. in Economics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
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B.A. in Political Economy, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Wien Scholarship
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Contact Info
Email: zhannazh @ gmail.com
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LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/zhannazh
GitHub: www.github.com/zhannazh
