Leoson Hoay

My career has been neither straight nor narrow, bridging the lines between between computer science, social sciences, and the humanities. I am passionate about leveraging advances in technology to solve human problems.

I am always up for a chat about why the gradient keeps disappearing in your model, how researchers used text analysis to assert that Shakespeare was not a single author, and the metrics I used to rank the best cups of hot chocolate that you can find in Hyde Park.

I currently serve as a Data Science and AI Consultant at Diffusion Venture Studio, and as an AI Solutions Architect at Matter Neuroscience.

Outside of my day job, I write a personal arts and science newsletter, Strictly Interdisciplinary. I am also a Part 107 Drone Operator in the United States, a fixed-wing Private Pilot, as well as an Aviation Ground School Instructor.

Current Location: Singapore

Education

Awards & Certifications

• Google Associate Cloud Engineer Certification
• Tableau Desktop Specialist Certification
• Hootsuite Platform Certification
• 
  SUSE Cloud Native Foundations Scholarship - 2021 (Udacity, SUSE)
• Bertelsmann Technology Scholarship - 2020 (Udacity, Bertelsmann)
• Graduate Social Sciences Scholarship (University of Chicago)
• Honor Roll 2012-2013, 2016-2017 (National University of Singapore)
• Overseas Education Award (National University of Singapore)
• Kent Ridge Undergraduate Scholar (National University of Singapore)

Projects

• COVID-19 Prediction using CT Scans
  A project that used machine learning models to predict COVID-19 diagnoses using CT Scan image data. This project was completed in collaboration with Fiona Fan as part of the requirements for the MS in Computer Science degree with the Georgia Institute of Technology.
  
  
• Transform911
  The University of Chicago Health Lab is gathering experts in health care, academia, government, emergency response and public safety—in collaboration with advocates and elected leaders via virtual roundtables and working groups—to examine America's 911 system.
  
  
• A Primer to Folium: A Python Library for Simple Geospatial Visualizations
  A lesson I created as part of a Python workshop for beginners. This notebook explores a simple use case for Chloropleth maps in the Folium library, with a sample dataset of chess grandmasters. It also briefly visits the topics of web scraping and connecting to a database (MongoDB).
  
  
• Visualizing the Mandelbrot Set in JavaScript and Canvas
  Using an escape algorithm, the Mandelbrot Set is rendered using JavaScript and Canvas.
  
  

Publications

• Writing the World: A Dynamic Student’s Guide to the General Paper
  Lim, P., Cheah, D., Hoay, L. (2025). Writing the World is a fresh guide to the new General Paper format, designed for today’s learners navigating a world shaped by generative artificial intelligence. Blending traditional skills with modern tools, it shows how to think critically, express ideas clearly, and use AI responsibly as a practice aid.
  
  
• Evaluating the Effectiveness of Rapidly Deployed AI Tools in Learning Aviation Theory
  Hoay, L. (2024). Evaluating the Effectiveness of Rapidly Deployed AI Tools in Learning Aviation Theory. Illinois Education and Technology Conference (IETC) 2024.
  
  
• Evaluating the Effectiveness of Rapidly Deployed AI Tools in Learning Aviation Theory
  Hoay, L. (2024). Evaluating the Effectiveness of Rapidly Deployed AI Tools in Learning Aviation Theory. Learning Analytics in Practice 2024 (LAP 2024).
  
  
• Characterizing Multisystem High Users of the Homeless Services, Jail, and Hospital Systems in Chicago, IL
  Soo, J., Hoay, L., MacCormack-Gelles, B., Edelstein, S., Metz, E., Neusteter, R., Meltzer, D., & Pollack, H. (2022). Characterizing Multisystem High Users of the Homeless Services, Jail, and Hospital Systems in Chicago, IL. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved.
  
  
• Critical Time Intervention – Evaluating the Implementation of a Time-Limited Transitional Care Program for Vulnerable Citizens Exiting Cook County Jail
  Hoay, L. H., Warren, N., Bolz, A., Rearick, K., Neusteter, S. R., Pollack, H. A., & Meltzer, D. O. (2021, November 12). Critical Time Intervention – Evaluating the Implementation of a Time-Limited Transitional Care Program for Vulnerable Citizens Exiting Cook County Jail. Enhancing Response for Vulnerable People Experiencing Crisis. 2021 APPAM 43rd Annual Fall Research Conference.
  
  
• Opinion: More equitable to use home ownership in means-testing
  Hoay, L. (2016, Apr 17). More equitable to use home ownership in means-testing. TODAY.
  
  
• Opinion: Medicine refills online need robust SOP, protocols
  Hoay, L. (2015, Dec 17). Medicine refills online need robust SOP, protocols. TODAY.
  
  
• Symptoms and Diagnosis of the Affliction Known as "Deep Attraction"
  Hoay, L. (2008). Symptoms and Diagnosis of the Affliction Known as “Deep Attraction.” In Romance, Volume 1 (pp. 106–108). Renaissance Publishing.
  
  
• 一个下午 (yi ge xia wu) [One Fine Afternoon]
  Hoay, L. (2007). Yi ge xia wu [One Fine Afternoon]. In Yingdetiankong, v. 17: Laifoshishuyuan xuesheng zuopin xuanji, 2007 (Vol. 17, p. 148) [The Eagle's Skies, Vol. 17: An Anthology of Chinese Literature by Students of Raffles Institution]. Raffles Institution (Singapore).
  一个下午
  鹰的天空, v. 17 : 莱佛士书院学生作品选集 (p. 148)
  许康靖 Xu Kang-Jing [Hoay, Leoson Hong-Cheng]
  莱佛士书院 (2007)