# Chris Wiggins > American data scientist **Wikidata**: [Q85752237](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q85752237) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Wiggins_(data_scientist)) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/chris-wiggins ## Summary Chris Wiggins was born on January 1, 1971.[1] He is a mathematician, scientist, and university teacher.[1] He was educated at Princeton University.[2] ## Summary Chris Wiggins is an American data scientist, mathematician, and university teacher recognized for his contributions to applied mathematics and computational biology. He serves as an associate professor of applied mathematics at Columbia University and is the Chief Data Scientist at *The New York Times*. Additionally, he is a co-founder of hackNY, a non-profit organization aimed at connecting student developers with the New York City startup ecosystem. ## Biography * **Born:** 1971 * **Nationality:** American * **Education:** Princeton University * **Known for:** Founding hackNY; contributions to computational biology and machine learning; Chief Data Scientist at *The New York Times*. * **Employer(s):** Columbia University (University Teacher), The New York Times (Data Scientist), hackNY (Co-founder). * **Field(s):** Applied Mathematics, Computational Biology, Mathematical Biology, Machine Learning. ## Contributions Chris Wiggins has established a significant academic and industry career centered on the application of data science and mathematics to complex biological and behavioral systems. In academia, Wiggins focuses on computational biology and machine learning. He applies data-analytical and theoretical methods, including mathematical modeling and computational simulation, to study biological systems. His specific research includes the scientific study of algorithms and statistical models that allow computer systems to perform tasks without explicit instructions, a foundational element of modern artificial intelligence. He has served as a doctoral advisor to students such as Jacob Jake Hofman, contributing to the next generation of data scientists. His own academic lineage includes Raymond E. Goldstein as his doctoral advisor. In the industry, Wiggins bridged the gap between academia and the tech sector by co-founding hackNY. The organization aims to federate the next generation of tech talent with the New York City startup community. He also holds a prominent role at *The New York Times*, where he utilizes data science to drive decision-making, emphasizing the importance of client communications and data strategy in media. ## FAQs ### Q: What is Chris Wiggins' role at The New York Times? A: Chris Wiggins serves as the Chief Data Scientist at *The New York Times*, where he applies data science principles to media and business challenges. ### Q: What is hackNY? A: hackNY is an organization co-founded by Chris Wiggins. It focuses on federating student developers with the New York City startup ecosystem, often through hackathons and fellowship programs. ### Q: What are Chris Wiggins' primary academic research interests? A: His research interests lie at the intersection of applied mathematics, computational biology, and machine learning, specifically utilizing algorithms and statistical models to study biological, behavioral, and social systems. ## Why They Matter Chris Wiggins plays a pivotal role in defining the modern landscape of data science, effectively bridging the gap between theoretical mathematics and practical application in both media and the startup ecosystem. By co-founding hackNY, he directly influenced the retention of technical talent in New York City, fostering a vibrant community of student developers and entrepreneurs. His dual leadership roles at Columbia University and *The New York Times* exemplify the successful integration of academic rigor with industry leadership. Furthermore, his work in computational biology aids in the advancement of understanding complex biological systems through the lens of applied mathematics and machine learning, pushing the boundaries of how data is used to solve scientific problems. ## Notable For * **Chief Data Scientist:** Leading data strategy at *The New York Times*. * **Academic Leadership:** Serving as a university teacher and researcher in Applied Mathematics at Columbia University. * **Tech Community Builder:** Co-founding hackNY to support NYC student developers. * **Interdisciplinary Research:** Advancing the fields of computational biology and mathematical biology through machine learning. * **Mentorship:** Advising doctoral students and fostering new talent in the data science field. ## Body ### Academic Background and Career Christopher H. Wiggins (born 1971) is an American mathematician and scientist. He completed his education at Princeton University, where he worked under the guidance of doctoral advisor Raymond E. Goldstein. Wiggins later joined Columbia University, where he serves as a university teacher in the field of applied mathematics. He has supervised doctoral students, including Jacob Jake Hofman, and has contributed extensively to the academic community through research and teaching. He is also listed as an author on platforms such as Google Scholar, DBLP, and the Mathematics Genealogy Project. ### Research and Fields of Work Wiggins' professional work is defined by a multidisciplinary approach to data. His primary fields of work include: * **Applied Mathematics:** Utilizing mathematical methods to solve practical problems. * **Computational Biology:** Using data-analytical and theoretical methods to study biological and behavioral systems. * **Machine Learning:** Developing algorithms and statistical models that allow systems to perform tasks without explicit instructions. These contributions place him at the forefront of the intersection between computer science, biology, and mathematics. ### Industry and Entrepreneurial Roles Beyond academia, Wiggins holds a significant position as a data scientist at *The New York Times*. In this capacity, he has lectured students on prioritizing client communications alongside technical skills. He is also recognized for his entrepreneurial spirit as a co-founder of hackNY, an initiative designed to connect student hackers with founders of New York City startups. ### Digital Presence and Identifiers Chris Wiggins maintains an active presence in the digital and academic community. His identifiers include: * **Twitter:** @chrishwiggins (active since July 2009). * **Google Scholar ID:** NK7srJYAAAAJ. * **Wikipedia:** Featured in English and Bengali language editions. * **ORCID/ISNI:** 0000000050240046. * **Library of Congress Authority ID:** no2023035302. ## References 1. Czech National Authority Database 2. Mathematics Genealogy Project 3. [Source](https://news.njit.edu/new-york-times-data-scientist-tells-students-prioritize-client-communications) 4. Virtual International Authority File 5. [Chris Wiggins | Open Library](https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL3874685A/Chris_Wiggins/edit) 6. [Chris Wiggins](https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Chris-Wiggins)