Options Summer 2020: Andreas Gros was a participant of the Young Scientists Summer Program (YSSP) at IIASA in 2005.

man © Andreas Gros

Andreas Gros is currently a data scientist at
Facebook supporting their Data for Good project.
His background is in computer science, mathematics,
and the analysis and modeling of complex systems.
“What I love most about my job is that I get to
work on real-world problems that usually affect
a large number of people,” states Gros.

His work for Data for Good focuses on building privacy-preserving data products to help solve some of the world's biggest problems. Timely insights and relevant datasets, such as the High-Resolution Settlement Layer (HRSL) can improve how nonprofits do their work, how researchers learn, and how policies are developed. When data is shared responsibly with the communities that need it, it can improve wellbeing and save lives.

For example, the HRSL population density data, which offers data at a 30-meter resolution — are much more accurate than other high-resolution maps, and their disease-prevention maps are informing spread-of-disease models used to help understand the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2005, Gros participated in the Young Scientists Summer Program (YSSP) where he investigated dispersal strategies in the Evolution and Ecology Program. “The IIASA approach of encouraging interdisciplinary research and collaborations has led me to select work environments that offer the same kinds of stimuli,” states Gros. He continues, “Through IIASA my wife and I have been able to build a strong network of colleagues and friends that we are still connected with.”

By Monika Bauer

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