Daniel Krista-Kelsey Profile Picture

Currently serving as a Data Analysis Consultant at MetaPhase Consulting with an educational background in Astrophysics and scientific research, I specialize in delivering data-driven solutions for federal consulting initiatives. I leverage advanced analytical programming, statistical modeling, and automation tools to transform complex datasets into actionable insights that support critical decision-making processes. My work combines rigorous analytical methodologies with practical business applications, ensuring that data translates into measurable value for stakeholders.

Analytical Data-driven problem solver
Innovative Innovative methodologies
Versatile Multi-domain expertise

About Me

Professional Focus

As a consultant with a strong foundation in computational research and federal consulting, I excel at leading client projects and delivering comprehensive solutions that combine analytical rigor with strategic insight. My expertise spans project leadership, stakeholder engagement, and cross-functional collaboration alongside technical capabilities in data pipeline development, statistical modeling, automations, and visualization. I bring proficiency in both quantitative analysis and qualitative assessment, managing diverse project portfolios from operational process improvements to strategic communications initiatives. My background enables me to lead task-oriented teams, optimize workflows, and deliver actionable insights that drive informed decision-making across technical, operational, and strategic domains.

Academic Background

My astrophysics research—published in The Astronomical Journal (2025)—exemplifies my ability to extract meaningful insights from complex data. I developed advanced statistical modeling pipelines using Lévy α-stable distributions and MCMC methods that achieved a deeper detection sensitivity for faint stellar populations in ultra-deep radio surveys. As a NASA Fellowship recipient, I validated these methodologies across multiple independent datasets, demonstrating the rigorous analytical approach and innovative problem-solving that I now apply to federal consulting challenges.

Beyond Work

Creativity fuels innovation. Beyond data analytics, I channel my technical skills into diverse creative pursuits that enhance my analytical thinking. I'm an avid video gamer and a passionate EDM and rap enthusiast who regularly attends concerts. My interests extend to financial markets, where I apply analytical skills to stock analysis and market trends. My creative projects span music production using Logic Pro, game development in both Unity and Unreal Engine 5, and programming projects that span web design to quantitative modeling. Whether I'm engineering audio tracks, building interactive experiences, analyzing market movements, perfecting my golf swing, or even cooking, I believe the best solutions emerge when analytical thinking meets creative vision—a philosophy that consistently drives impactful results in my professional work.

Personal Interests

Gaming

Video Games Board Games FPS/Strategy Competitive

Entertainment

Sci-Fi Movies Interstellar Game of Thrones

Music

EDM Hip-hop/RAP Music Production Live Music & Concerts

Lifestyle

Golf Gym Cooking Office Setup & Organization

Finance

Stock Market Money Market Analysis General Finance

Professional Experience

Feb 2024 - Present

Consultant - Data Analytics Analyst

MetaPhase Consulting | Arlington, VA

  • Lead client projects for the DHS CISA School Safety Task Force, delivering high-quality, data-driven solutions
  • Designed automation tools (Python, Power Automate, PowerShell, VBA) to improve efficiency across many data and business workstreams
  • Developed dashboards and visualizations (Power BI, Excel) for executive and federal leadership
  • Coordinated large-scale communication campaigns and stakeholder engagement
May 2022 - Aug 2023

Astrophysics Researcher

University of Massachusetts Amherst | Amherst, MA

  • Applied advanced statistical modeling to develop data pipelines for stellar analysis
  • Validated methodology across multiple independent datasets for high-confidence conclusions
  • Co-authored peer-reviewed publication in The Astronomical Journal (2025)
  • Presented findings at research conferences and collaboration meetings
Jan 2023 - May 2023

Teaching Assistant, ASTRON 330

University of Massachusetts Amherst | Amherst, MA

  • Assisted in developing and delivering research-based course using COSMOS2020 and CHILES Con Pol datasets
  • Provided 1-on-1 instruction on astronomical concepts, research techniques, and programming
Jan 2021 - May 2023

Tutor, Department of Astronomy

University of Massachusetts Amherst | Amherst, MA

  • Facilitated the Astronomy Help Desk to assist astronomy and physics students in their courses and labs
  • Incorporated analytical and visual teaching methods while providing digestible problem solving techniques
May 2022 - Aug 2022

Research Intern

Five-College Astronomy Department | Amherst, MA

  • Built Python simulations to quantify impact of undetected low-signal sources
  • Developed corrective algorithms improving flux density estimates across datasets
  • Reconstructed datasets using advanced mathematical methods (MCMC, Gaussian, Fourier)

Education

Bachelor of Science in Astrophysics

University of Massachusetts Amherst | May 2023

GPA: 3.77/4.00

Honors: NASA MA Space Grant Fellowship, Astronomy Award for Academic Excellence, 6x Dean's List

Thesis: "Characterization of the Source Confusion in the CHILES Con Pol Ultra Deep Radio Continuum"

Technical Skills

Programming

Python Visual Basic Java C++ C# SQL MATLAB TypeScript

Analytics & Visualization

Power BI Excel Google Analytics Power Automate Data Analysis Data Modeling

Research & Analysis

Statistical Modeling Statistics MCMC Computational Physics Mathematics Physics LaTeX

Development & Tools

Office 365 Google Suite Cursor Microsoft Visual Studio Claude Code AI Agentic Applications Anaconda App Suite Git Unity Unreal Engine Microsoft Word

Creative & Audio

Music Production Audio Engineering Logic Pro

Additional Experiences

Dec 2020 - May 2023

Logistics Coordinator

Asian American Student Association | Amherst, MA

  • Coordinated logistics for monthly events and three annual cultural showcases promoting Asian culture and advocacy
  • Secured $50K+ in funding, increasing budget by 200%, and drawing 10,000+ attendees total with sponsor partnerships, raffles, and celebrity appearances
  • Led recruitment and management of the 20+ executive board members while coordinating interviews and onboarding

Honors & Awards

Astronomy Award for Academic Excellence

May 2023

UMass Department of Astronomy

Awarded to a graduating undergraduate student who has achieved outstanding academic performance through excellent GPA.

Student Speaker - CNS Senior Celebration

May 2023

UMass Amherst College of Natural Sciences

Invited as one of the student speakers for the graduation ceremony, honored to represent the college and speak to the graduating class.

NASA MA Space Grant Fellowship

May 2022

NASA Massachusetts Space Grant Consortium

Competitive fellowship supporting interdisciplinary space-related research, education, and public service programs.

Van Blerkom Scholarship

Apr 2022

Department of Astronomy, UMass Amherst

Undergraduate research scholarship awarded based on academic excellence, supporting research internship opportunities.

Dean's List Recognition

2019 - 2023

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Achieved Dean's List recognition for 6 consecutive semesters: Fall 2019, Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Fall 2021, Fall 2022.

Chancellor's Merit Award Scholarship

Aug 2019

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Merit-based scholarship recognizing outstanding academic achievement and potential for university success.

Technical Projects

Click the cards for more information.

Stellar Population Detection Using Lévy α-stable Distributions

Python MCMC Statistical Analysis Published Research

As fourth author, I contributed to Section 5 (Bayesian methodology validation) and the entire Appendix (mathematical framework). Developed advanced statistical modeling pipeline using Lévy α-stable distributions achieving 2x improvement in detection sensitivity for faint stellar populations.

Published in The Astronomical Journal (2025) Fourth Author - Section 5 & Appendix NASA Fellowship Recognition

School Projects

Academic research and coursework projects from my astrophysics studies.

Characterization of the Source Confusion in the CHILES Con Pol Ultra Deep Radio Continuum

Python Radio Astronomy Statistical Analysis Honors Thesis

Senior honors thesis analyzing source confusion in ultra-deep radio continuum observations. Developed methods to characterize noise levels and source detection limits in the deepest radio survey data, achieving precision measurements at the microjansky level.

Honors Thesis - May 2023 Ultra-deep Radio Analysis Microjansky Precision

SDSS-IV DR17: Radial Relationships between Dust Attenuation and Dust Kinematics

Python Marvin Galaxy Analysis MaNGA Survey

Comprehensive analysis of galaxy properties using SDSS-IV Data Release 17 and MaNGA integral field spectroscopy. Investigated spatial correlations between dust attenuation and gas kinematics using Balmer decrement measurements across galaxy maps.

SDSS-IV DR17 Analysis Spatial Dust Mapping Kinematic Correlations

Relationships Between Dust Attenuation, Stellar Mass, and Star Formation Rate

Python Statistical Modeling Galaxy Evolution Astrophysics

Investigation of fundamental scaling relationships in galaxy evolution, analyzing how dust attenuation correlates with stellar mass and star formation activity. Applied statistical methods to understand physical processes governing galaxy properties.

Galaxy Scaling Relations Multi-parameter Analysis Evolution Studies

Stellar Structure Project: Metal Fraction Effects on Stellar Properties

Stellar Physics Computational Modeling Mathematical Analysis Astrophysics

Computational study examining how metallicity affects stellar structure and evolution. Analyzed mass-luminosity relationships, core properties, and stellar lifetimes using stellar structure modeling code with varying metal fractions.

Stellar Structure Modeling Metallicity Effects Mass-Luminosity Relations

Creative Projects

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Music Production Portfolio

Logic Pro Audio Engineering Composition

Original music compositions and productions showcasing technical audio engineering skills combined with creative vision across multiple genres and styles.

Multi-Genre Compositions Professional Audio Engineering

Published Music Profiles

Music Distribution Digital Marketing Brand Development

Professional music publishing and distribution across major streaming platforms, building artist presence and engaging audiences through strategic content creation and brand development.

Multi-Platform Distribution Professional Branding

Unreal Engine 5 Game Developer - Rogue Arcanists

Unreal Engine 5 Game Development 3D Design

Advanced game development project utilizing Unreal Engine 5's cutting-edge features to create an immersive rogue-like experience with dynamic gameplay mechanics and stunning visual design.

UE5 Advanced Features Rogue-like Mechanics

Unity Game Developer - Snackdown

Unity C# Programming Game Design

Fast-paced Unity game development project featuring innovative gameplay mechanics and polished user experience, demonstrating expertise in C# programming and interactive design principles.

Unity Development Interactive Design

Web Design & Development

AI-Assisted Development Claude Code Web Design Learning & Innovation

AI-assisted portfolio website development using Claude Code, demonstrating modern web standards, responsive design, and the application of AI tools for accelerated learning and skill expansion.

AI-Assisted Development Modern Web Standards Continuous Learning