About Me

I am a data scientist passionate about solving complex problems at the intersection of physics, computation, and real-world data. My journey bridges astrophysics, software developing, and geospatial data, applying remote sensing and geospatial analysis to better understand and help restore wetland systems. I specialize in high-performance computing, statistical modeling, and machine learning, with a cross-disciplinary approach to modeling complex systems: from extragalactic jets to wetland ecosystems. Growing up in the highlands of central Mexico, I developed a deep appreciation for natural landscapes, which fuels my applied research at the intersection of physics, computation, and the environment.

Selected Skills

Data science & machine learning
Computational modeling & simulation
Data analysis & visualization
Geospatial analysis
Scientific communication

Resume

Education

Ph.D. in Physics — Universitat de València, Spain (2017, Cum Laude). Advisors: Prof. Miguel A. Aloy & Dr. Petar Mimica. Thesis
M.Sc. in Physics — Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Mexico (2011)
B.Sc. in Physics — Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Mexico (2009)

Professional Experience

Independent Contractor - Mercor (Jan 2026 — Present)

Provide expert-level knowledge in Physics, Astrophysics, and Mathematics to improve models for top AI research labs
Assess model reasoning quality, identify failure modes, and provide structured feedback to improve scientific accuracy
Apply understanding of mathematical foundations to benchmark model performance on complex STEM problems

Spatial Data Scientist — Tealwaters, Seattle, WA, USA (May 2025 - Jan 2026)

Lead the development and refinement of tools like the Wetland Intrinsic Potential (WIP) model, integrating geomorphic and hydrologic indicators to map wetlands.
Apply remote sensing and geospatial analysis to ecological modeling, focusing on wetland restoration and environmental impact.
Bridge astrophysics and environmental science by leveraging expertise in high-performance computing, statistical modeling, and machine learning to analyze complex environmental datasets.

Open-Source Developer — Independent Research (Jan 2024 - May 2025)

Tleco
- Simulates relativistic plasma particles and radiation rise from accelerating particles.
- Combines Rust and Python functions from the Fortran code Paramo.
WindsOfChange
- Simulate spore dispersion in hilly terrains using R and C++.

Software Engineer — Paychex (Apr 2022 - Jan 2024)

Developed and maintained internal tools using Java, Python, and SQL.
Collaborated with cross-functional teams to automate workflows and improve data pipelines.

Postdoctoral Research Associate — Rochester Institute of Technology (Feb 2021 - Apr 2022)

Modeled particle acceleration and high-energy radiation in relativistic outflows using the Fortran code Paramo.
Investigated plasma processes such as magnetic reconnection, shocks, and turbulence.
Simulated supermassive black hole binaries, accretion disk dynamics, and jet formation using Harm3D and PatchworkMHD.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow — Purdue University (Oct 2018 - Nov 2020)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow — Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo(Jan - Sep 2018)

Technical Skills

Programming Languages: Python, C/C++, R, Fortran, Shell, Julia, SQL, Rust, Java
Python Ecosystem: Numpy, Pandas, Matplotlib, Scipy, Astropy, Scikit-learn, Tensorflow, PyTorch, Pytest, Jupyter
Miscellaneous: Git (GitHub, Bitbucket), $\LaTeX$, QGIS, MPI, OpenMP, OpenACC, HDF5, Mathematica, Maple, Docker, Jenkins, Splunk, Jira, Kafka, MongoDB, Visit, Paraview, Job Scheduling (SLURM, PBS)

Publications

Personal Interests

Beyond astrophysics, science, the environment, and computers, hiking and climbing mountains are my favorite place to be.

Languages

Spanish: native proficiency
English: full professional proficiency
Nahuatl: basic knowledge
Catalan: basic knowledge

Jesus M Rueda-Becerril, PhD