Alaka Halder
@ahalder.bsky.social
Research + data science at Garner Health | Previously: Princeton Econ | Interests: healthcare, development econ, AI, art history
Website/Blog: https://www.alakahalder.xyz
Twitter: https://x.com/HalderAlaka
Website/Blog: https://www.alakahalder.xyz
Twitter: https://x.com/HalderAlaka
In Granada, past the houses and hills, I kept expecting to find the sea
July 18, 2025 at 9:08 PM
In Granada, past the houses and hills, I kept expecting to find the sea
#ASHEcon2025 has been awesome! Attended some great presentations, got helpful feedback on my paper, and made new friends
I’ll try to recap some of the talks but I forgot to take photos (I did take notes!)
I’ll try to recap some of the talks but I forgot to take photos (I did take notes!)
June 25, 2025 at 4:00 AM
#ASHEcon2025 has been awesome! Attended some great presentations, got helpful feedback on my paper, and made new friends
I’ll try to recap some of the talks but I forgot to take photos (I did take notes!)
I’ll try to recap some of the talks but I forgot to take photos (I did take notes!)
I'm asking o3 to help interpret a report on a topic new to me. When I pointed out that it was hallucinating more than usual (there's no pg 26!), it said that the PDF periodically "ages out" of the chat
Is this new? A capacity issue?
I’ve now uploaded the file for the 4th time
Is this new? A capacity issue?
I’ve now uploaded the file for the 4th time
June 21, 2025 at 9:36 PM
I'm asking o3 to help interpret a report on a topic new to me. When I pointed out that it was hallucinating more than usual (there's no pg 26!), it said that the PDF periodically "ages out" of the chat
Is this new? A capacity issue?
I’ve now uploaded the file for the 4th time
Is this new? A capacity issue?
I’ve now uploaded the file for the 4th time
Who’s going to #ASHEcon2025? I arrive Sun and present on Mon (3:30pm - Environment and Health)
It’s my 1st time at ASHEcon! Let me know if you’d like to meet. I’m interested in healthcare access + costs, environment x health, development econ
Please recommend sessions/events you’re excited about!
It’s my 1st time at ASHEcon! Let me know if you’d like to meet. I’m interested in healthcare access + costs, environment x health, development econ
Please recommend sessions/events you’re excited about!
June 21, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Who’s going to #ASHEcon2025? I arrive Sun and present on Mon (3:30pm - Environment and Health)
It’s my 1st time at ASHEcon! Let me know if you’d like to meet. I’m interested in healthcare access + costs, environment x health, development econ
Please recommend sessions/events you’re excited about!
It’s my 1st time at ASHEcon! Let me know if you’d like to meet. I’m interested in healthcare access + costs, environment x health, development econ
Please recommend sessions/events you’re excited about!
If you're anxious about git operations (rebasing, reverting, cherry-picking, shelving, stashing) or unsure which ones to use, especially in a team repo, Augment (AI code editor) can walk you through the steps (with clear instructions and reasons) or handle the changes for you
June 21, 2025 at 2:47 AM
If you're anxious about git operations (rebasing, reverting, cherry-picking, shelving, stashing) or unsure which ones to use, especially in a team repo, Augment (AI code editor) can walk you through the steps (with clear instructions and reasons) or handle the changes for you
How are we already a week into June?
June 7, 2025 at 10:50 AM
How are we already a week into June?
Anyone at Google Gemini who can help my team with a request to increase our API rate limit?
We'd like to switch to Gemini but need to test at scale first
I submitted a request on Wed morning (ET) and tried following up. No response either time.
Help us give you our money!!
We'd like to switch to Gemini but need to test at scale first
I submitted a request on Wed morning (ET) and tried following up. No response either time.
Help us give you our money!!
June 7, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Anyone at Google Gemini who can help my team with a request to increase our API rate limit?
We'd like to switch to Gemini but need to test at scale first
I submitted a request on Wed morning (ET) and tried following up. No response either time.
Help us give you our money!!
We'd like to switch to Gemini but need to test at scale first
I submitted a request on Wed morning (ET) and tried following up. No response either time.
Help us give you our money!!
🚀 Garner Health is growing! I'm hiring early-career data scientists to join my team (NYC-based, 3 days/week in office).
If you're interested — or know someone who might be — check out the job description and application:
job-boards.greenhouse.io/garnerhealth...
If you're interested — or know someone who might be — check out the job description and application:
job-boards.greenhouse.io/garnerhealth...
Data Scientist
New York City, New York
job-boards.greenhouse.io
June 7, 2025 at 10:25 AM
🚀 Garner Health is growing! I'm hiring early-career data scientists to join my team (NYC-based, 3 days/week in office).
If you're interested — or know someone who might be — check out the job description and application:
job-boards.greenhouse.io/garnerhealth...
If you're interested — or know someone who might be — check out the job description and application:
job-boards.greenhouse.io/garnerhealth...
The stark contrast between my disappointing experience with o3 (yes, I use pro) and others’ makes me feel like the joke’s on me — as if o3 is intentionally, defiantly, and obstinately sloppy, like a teenager testing my attentiveness to see what she can get away with. 🙃
June 7, 2025 at 10:24 AM
The stark contrast between my disappointing experience with o3 (yes, I use pro) and others’ makes me feel like the joke’s on me — as if o3 is intentionally, defiantly, and obstinately sloppy, like a teenager testing my attentiveness to see what she can get away with. 🙃
I've enjoyed #PAA2025 so much that I still haven’t made it to the National Gallery (DC)
Yesterday, I presented two projects on child health and labor outcomes in developing countries, one in a flash session and one as a paper
Hoping to share a quick recap next week of papers I've enjoyed!
Yesterday, I presented two projects on child health and labor outcomes in developing countries, one in a flash session and one as a paper
Hoping to share a quick recap next week of papers I've enjoyed!
April 13, 2025 at 1:41 AM
I've enjoyed #PAA2025 so much that I still haven’t made it to the National Gallery (DC)
Yesterday, I presented two projects on child health and labor outcomes in developing countries, one in a flash session and one as a paper
Hoping to share a quick recap next week of papers I've enjoyed!
Yesterday, I presented two projects on child health and labor outcomes in developing countries, one in a flash session and one as a paper
Hoping to share a quick recap next week of papers I've enjoyed!
I dream of a day when all these social media platforms and tech behemoths — which I assume know more about me than I know about myself — will show me a good ad, sponsored post, or recommendation 🙏
I fear the problem is that I care about boring things that don’t sell 🙃
I fear the problem is that I care about boring things that don’t sell 🙃
March 22, 2025 at 7:41 PM
I dream of a day when all these social media platforms and tech behemoths — which I assume know more about me than I know about myself — will show me a good ad, sponsored post, or recommendation 🙏
I fear the problem is that I care about boring things that don’t sell 🙃
I fear the problem is that I care about boring things that don’t sell 🙃
📈🤔 How do you decide when you have enough evidence to make a decision? When to call it a day vs. gather more data?
I’m planning to write about this as I reflect on Q1 projects
Till then, I’d love to hear from you: principles you use, surprising experiences, good resources, etc.
I’m planning to write about this as I reflect on Q1 projects
Till then, I’d love to hear from you: principles you use, surprising experiences, good resources, etc.
March 22, 2025 at 7:40 PM
📈🤔 How do you decide when you have enough evidence to make a decision? When to call it a day vs. gather more data?
I’m planning to write about this as I reflect on Q1 projects
Till then, I’d love to hear from you: principles you use, surprising experiences, good resources, etc.
I’m planning to write about this as I reflect on Q1 projects
Till then, I’d love to hear from you: principles you use, surprising experiences, good resources, etc.
📊🩻 As a follow-up, I wrote about breaking into healthcare data roles after receiving questions from soon-to-be graduates and early-career generalists
www.alakahalder.xyz/2025/03/20/b...
Hope this helps some of you! What advice did I miss?
www.alakahalder.xyz/2025/03/20/b...
Hope this helps some of you! What advice did I miss?
March 22, 2025 at 1:11 AM
📊🩻 As a follow-up, I wrote about breaking into healthcare data roles after receiving questions from soon-to-be graduates and early-career generalists
www.alakahalder.xyz/2025/03/20/b...
Hope this helps some of you! What advice did I miss?
www.alakahalder.xyz/2025/03/20/b...
Hope this helps some of you! What advice did I miss?
How does your team or organization approach quarterly roadmap planning?
How does leadership involve individual contributors, whether by soliciting ideas, voting on ideas, or in other ways?
Per item on the roadmap, how precisely do you define "done"?
How does leadership involve individual contributors, whether by soliciting ideas, voting on ideas, or in other ways?
Per item on the roadmap, how precisely do you define "done"?
March 15, 2025 at 7:40 PM
How does your team or organization approach quarterly roadmap planning?
How does leadership involve individual contributors, whether by soliciting ideas, voting on ideas, or in other ways?
Per item on the roadmap, how precisely do you define "done"?
How does leadership involve individual contributors, whether by soliciting ideas, voting on ideas, or in other ways?
Per item on the roadmap, how precisely do you define "done"?
It’s OK to cull seemingly good ideas with low impact. I’m not talking about politics, just research projects at work
I’m lucky to work somewhere that actively encourages this
Yes, it’s disappointing to discover that an algorithm or product isn’t worth building
I’m lucky to work somewhere that actively encourages this
Yes, it’s disappointing to discover that an algorithm or product isn’t worth building
March 14, 2025 at 3:18 AM
It’s OK to cull seemingly good ideas with low impact. I’m not talking about politics, just research projects at work
I’m lucky to work somewhere that actively encourages this
Yes, it’s disappointing to discover that an algorithm or product isn’t worth building
I’m lucky to work somewhere that actively encourages this
Yes, it’s disappointing to discover that an algorithm or product isn’t worth building
Many early-career data science enthusiasts ask me how to stand out in startup job applications
I wish I could reply to everyone. Instead, I consolidated some advice on resumes and cold outreach, drawing on my experience as a hiring manager and interviewer:
www.alakahalder.xyz/2025/03/12/r...
I wish I could reply to everyone. Instead, I consolidated some advice on resumes and cold outreach, drawing on my experience as a hiring manager and interviewer:
www.alakahalder.xyz/2025/03/12/r...
Resume and Outreach Advice for Early-Career Data Roles at Startups – Alaka Halder
www.alakahalder.xyz
March 13, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Many early-career data science enthusiasts ask me how to stand out in startup job applications
I wish I could reply to everyone. Instead, I consolidated some advice on resumes and cold outreach, drawing on my experience as a hiring manager and interviewer:
www.alakahalder.xyz/2025/03/12/r...
I wish I could reply to everyone. Instead, I consolidated some advice on resumes and cold outreach, drawing on my experience as a hiring manager and interviewer:
www.alakahalder.xyz/2025/03/12/r...
When giving tough, fair feedback (before the point of needing to part ways), I’ve found it makes a difference to show that you believe in the person’s ability to succeed
It sounds obvious and yet doesn’t happen as often as I’d expect in practice — why?
It sounds obvious and yet doesn’t happen as often as I’d expect in practice — why?
March 8, 2025 at 11:50 PM
When giving tough, fair feedback (before the point of needing to part ways), I’ve found it makes a difference to show that you believe in the person’s ability to succeed
It sounds obvious and yet doesn’t happen as often as I’d expect in practice — why?
It sounds obvious and yet doesn’t happen as often as I’d expect in practice — why?
If they hadn't told you the dog was drowning, what would you have thought?
(Goya, 1820 - 1823, Museo Del Prado, Madrid)
www.museodelprado.es/en/the-colle...
(Goya, 1820 - 1823, Museo Del Prado, Madrid)
www.museodelprado.es/en/the-colle...
February 23, 2025 at 4:02 PM
If they hadn't told you the dog was drowning, what would you have thought?
(Goya, 1820 - 1823, Museo Del Prado, Madrid)
www.museodelprado.es/en/the-colle...
(Goya, 1820 - 1823, Museo Del Prado, Madrid)
www.museodelprado.es/en/the-colle...
Depressing ProPublica article re: prominent Montana oncologist
I'm unfamiliar with the law. Can someone explain why it's unclear if the suspicious deaths are being investigated? Is the evidence insufficient? Are investigators unable to disclose more? Why was his license renewed?
I'm unfamiliar with the law. Can someone explain why it's unclear if the suspicious deaths are being investigated? Is the evidence insufficient? Are investigators unable to disclose more? Why was his license renewed?
February 23, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Depressing ProPublica article re: prominent Montana oncologist
I'm unfamiliar with the law. Can someone explain why it's unclear if the suspicious deaths are being investigated? Is the evidence insufficient? Are investigators unable to disclose more? Why was his license renewed?
I'm unfamiliar with the law. Can someone explain why it's unclear if the suspicious deaths are being investigated? Is the evidence insufficient? Are investigators unable to disclose more? Why was his license renewed?
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Beautiful but too crowded on Presidents' Day to be truly enjoyable. Why do I keep visiting museums on public holidays?
I was too grumpy to look up at the ceilings -- I always look at ceilings! -- and missed The Coronation of Hebe
Next time...
Beautiful but too crowded on Presidents' Day to be truly enjoyable. Why do I keep visiting museums on public holidays?
I was too grumpy to look up at the ceilings -- I always look at ceilings! -- and missed The Coronation of Hebe
Next time...
February 20, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Beautiful but too crowded on Presidents' Day to be truly enjoyable. Why do I keep visiting museums on public holidays?
I was too grumpy to look up at the ceilings -- I always look at ceilings! -- and missed The Coronation of Hebe
Next time...
Beautiful but too crowded on Presidents' Day to be truly enjoyable. Why do I keep visiting museums on public holidays?
I was too grumpy to look up at the ceilings -- I always look at ceilings! -- and missed The Coronation of Hebe
Next time...
I didn't get around to reflecting on 2024, and suddenly it's February, so I'll compromise by sharing a few pieces I enjoyed seeing last year:
- Dull Gret
- Two Crabs
- Bust of Nefertiti
- An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump
- Dull Gret
- Two Crabs
- Bust of Nefertiti
- An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump
February 7, 2025 at 3:41 AM
I didn't get around to reflecting on 2024, and suddenly it's February, so I'll compromise by sharing a few pieces I enjoyed seeing last year:
- Dull Gret
- Two Crabs
- Bust of Nefertiti
- An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump
- Dull Gret
- Two Crabs
- Bust of Nefertiti
- An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump
Mid-December. Fluffy hydrangeas and surprise tomatoes.
December 18, 2024 at 9:06 PM
Mid-December. Fluffy hydrangeas and surprise tomatoes.
Lake Pflugerville (Nov '24)
December 12, 2024 at 4:10 AM
Lake Pflugerville (Nov '24)
Reposted by Alaka Halder
Do op-eds in major newspapers convince people to change their minds? Is there research about this?
December 7, 2024 at 7:52 PM
Do op-eds in major newspapers convince people to change their minds? Is there research about this?
Reposted by Alaka Halder
If you think that insurance companies with the right incentives could do much more to help match you with the provider best suited to treat you rather than the average doctor you currently see, then you might be onto something (pending further study).
December 6, 2024 at 4:51 PM
If you think that insurance companies with the right incentives could do much more to help match you with the provider best suited to treat you rather than the average doctor you currently see, then you might be onto something (pending further study).