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Praveen Kumar Ponnugupati portrait

Data science graduate student building practical analytics work

Master's student at the University of Connecticut studying Data Science, combining coursework and hands-on experience to solve real data problems.

Work samples

A portfolio of coursework and practical projects from my master’s program, showing data cleaning, exploratory analysis, modelling, and visualisation work.

  • Student Exam Performance Prediction
    Student Exam Performance Prediction

    Predicted student failure risk by analyzing 20+ features including attendance patterns, assignment completion, and grade trends, achieved 93% accuracy and 96% recall, enabling timely advisor intervention. Handled severe class imbalance (75/25 split) by rebalancing training data and adjusting model thresholds to catch at-risk students the model was initially ignoring. Segmented students into 5 behavioral clusters revealing patterns like attendance decline and assignment gaps that preceded failure but werent captured in grade reports.

  • Grandmaster Chess Coach — CLI AI Agent
    Grandmaster Chess Coach — CLI AI Agent

    Built a local-first AI chess coaching agent that analyzes chess.com games using Stockfish engine evaluation and a locally hosted LLM (Ollama + Qwen 2.5), running entirely on-device with no API costs. Implemented long-term memory (Supermemory) so the agent recalls a player's recurring mistakes and tracks improvement across sessions. Added opponent scouting that analyzes public chess.com archives to generate pre-game preparation reports.

    StockfishOllamaQwen 2.5Supermemory

About me

Master's student at the University of Connecticut studying Data Science, combining coursework and hands-on experience to solve real data problems.

I am Praveen Kumar Ponnugupati, a graduate student in Data Science at the University of Connecticut. I have some work experience and I am completing a master’s degree while refining my skills in data analysis, modelling, and practical problem solving.

Externships

Yinan Value Investing & Financial Modeling Externship

In progress

Experience

Data Scientist - Information Technology Services, UConn

UConn · Dec 2025 – Present

Technical Lead - Cognizant Technology Solutions (Travelers Insurance)

Cognizant Technology Solutions (Travelers Insurance) · Jan 2022 – Jul 2025

Education

University of Connecticut

Master of Science, Business Analytics and Project Management — Concentration: AI & Machine Learning · Class of 2027

Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research

Bachelor of Technology, Aerospace Engineering · Class of 2021

Skills

Data analysisStatistical modellingData cleaningData visualizationPythonSQLAIAI Agent DevelopmentAI Powered AnalyticsAI Workflow DesignAI-Driven InsightsAI-Enhanced Design

Student Exam Performance Prediction

Predicted student failure risk by analyzing 20+ features including attendance patterns, assignment completion, and grade trends, achieved 93% accuracy and 96% recall, enabling timely advisor intervention. Handled severe class imbalance (75/25 split) by rebalancing training data and adjusting model thresholds to catch at-risk students the model was initially ignoring. Segmented students into 5 behavioral clusters revealing patterns like attendance decline and assignment gaps that preceded failure but werent captured in grade reports.

View all work

Grandmaster Chess Coach — CLI AI Agent

Built a local-first AI chess coaching agent that analyzes chess.com games using Stockfish engine evaluation and a locally hosted LLM (Ollama + Qwen 2.5), running entirely on-device with no API costs. Implemented long-term memory (Supermemory) so the agent recalls a player's recurring mistakes and tracks improvement across sessions. Added opponent scouting that analyzes public chess.com archives to generate pre-game preparation reports.

StockfishOllamaQwen 2.5Supermemory
View all work

✅ Verified by Extern · ⏱️ In progress

Yinan Value Investing & Financial Modeling Externship

Gain insider experience in value investing by analyzing leading stocks alongside seasoned investor Yinan Zhao. Learn how professionals leverage financial modeling in Excel, interpret alternative data, evaluate market trends, and craft persuasive investment recommendations. Build real-world skills essential for careers in finance, equity research, and investment banking.

Investment AnalysisFinancial Statement AnalysisFinancial ModelingData AnalysisExcel

Overview

The externship analyzed leading public equities through financial models and alternative data under guidance from Yinan Zhao. Work included building Excel valuation models, interpreting nontraditional data sources, and preparing investment write-ups. Deliverables documented model outputs and valuation assumptions.

Yinan Value Investing & Financial Modeling Externship

What I've accomplished

I worked on analyst-style valuation and market analysis, translating models and alternative-data signals into written investment artifacts and model deliverables.

Project breakdown

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