Alumni@Work

Anna Yu received her PhD in Biology (Bioinformatic focus) and MS in Statistics from UT Austin in 2017. She is currently working as a Research Scientist at Facebook, where she leverages machine learning and statistical modeling to deliver personalized experience for users in future Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality interactions.

Prior to FB, she worked as a Data Scientist at Intel for 2.5 years, delivering end to end machine learning solutions for Intel’s Sales and Marketing. She has filed 5 AI patents during her time at Intel.

Besides work, Anna is a marathon runner. She has completed 7 marathons, 5 in TX (Austin LiveStrong Marathon) and 2 in CA (California International Marathon

Yating Chen received her PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology from UT Austin in Dec 2018. She is currently working as a Scientist at Ultragenyx Gene Therapy, where she specifically supports the gene therapy program pipeline including technical transfer, method qualification and validation and routine GMP testing of AAV vectors for lot release and stability.

Valerie Bradford received her PhD in Chemistry from UT-Austin in 2008. She is currently working as a Principal Scientist at Procter & Gamble, where she is responsible for skin-focused product design for Gillette and leader of the Women in Innovation group for the Boston site. She has 14 patent applications and grants and has delivered numerous new products to market including Gillette Fusion Proshield, Gillette Skinguard, Gillette Sensor 3 Cool, and Venus Swirl.

Andrew Gansky received his PhD in American Studies from UT-Austin in 2017. He is currently working as a Grant Writer at LifeWorks. He is part of a three-person team responsible for securing over $12 million annually through public and private grants and contracts to support housing, counseling, and workforce/education programs for transition-age youth (16-26). Major current projects include raising new funds to support Austin’s efforts to End Youth Homelessness, a collaborative initiative which LifeWorks has led since 2017.

Kirt Smith received his Master of Global Policy Studies (MGPS) from UT-Austin in 2017. He is currently working as the Asia Section Research Assistant for the Congressional Research Service at the Library of Congress, where he supports projects for a wide range of committees, Members, and staff learning about Congressional priorities in the Indo-Pacific region. Assigned to the Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division, Kirt provides research support for all of the Asia Section’s portfolios. Kirt also focuses on China as an emerging power in addition to democratic backsliding in Asia with regards to Burma (Myanmar), Thailand, and Hong Kong.