R for the Rest of Us Podcast Episode #24: Simon Couch

R for the Rest of Us

#Tech #David Key #Technology #Programming #rstats

39:30

In this episode of The Innovators & Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez sits down with David Brem, Managing Director of the University of Michigan’s Zell Lurie Commercialization Fund. David offers a rare glimpse into the inner workings of a student-led endowment fund focused on early-stage, sector-agnostic investments primarily in the Michigan ecosystem. He shares insights on their unique, founder-first investment approach, how they navigate pre-seed to Series A venture opportunities, and the rigorous due diligence process involving qualitative analysis over pure numbers. David also discusses his roles with global VC networks including Electro Ventures, the London Venture Capital Network, and Level Up Ventures, illustrating how he bridges U.S., European, and Australian venture ecosystems with a special focus on mobility and transportation tech. Highlights include deep dives into emerging trends like eVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft), smart city infrastructure, and safety innovations in aviation technology. Listeners will gain valuable perspectives on how diverse expertise—from military intelligence and management consulting to academic ventures—shapes David’s investment thesis and community-building efforts. The episode also explores the importance of networking, adding value in the startup ecosystem, and practical advice for aspiring investors or entrepreneurs navigating the venture capital world. With stories of successes, challenges, and future outlooks, this episode is a must-listen for innovators, founders, and investors aiming to understand the intersection of academia, technology, and venture capital in today’s dynamic landscape. Learn more about David's work at https://zli.umich.edu/zell-lurie-commercialization-fund/ Connect with David on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-lowell-brem/ Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://finstratmgmt.com/innovators-investors-podcast/ Want to learn more about Kristian Marquez's work? Check out his website at https://finstratmgmt.com…

about a year ago 33:50

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Improtant resources mentioned:

Connect with Simon on:
LinkedIn: Simon P. Couch
Bluesky: @simonpcouch.com
Mastodon: @simonpcouch@fosstodon.org
X: @simonpcouch

Subscribe to our newsletter: https://rfortherestofus.com/newsletter

27 episodes

R for the Rest of Us Podcast Episode #24: Simon Couch

R for the Rest of Us

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

Improtant resources mentioned:

Connect with Simon on:
LinkedIn: Simon P. Couch
Bluesky: @simonpcouch.com
Mastodon: @simonpcouch@fosstodon.org
X: @simonpcouch

Subscribe to our newsletter: https://rfortherestofus.com/newsletter

27 episodes

#Tech #David Key #Technology #Programming #rstats

All episodes

R for the Rest of Us

1
R for the Rest of Us Podcast Episode #26: Nick Tierney 26:46

3 days ago26:46

26:46

In this episode, I chat with Nick Tierney, a statistician, data scientist, and creator of the {naniar} R package for exploring missing data. Nick reflects on his journey from a psychology undergrad to a PhD in statistics, and how open-source tools—and a deeply curious mindset—shaped his path. We discuss Nick’s early struggles with R, the importance of community, and his evolution into package development and consulting. He also walks through the why and how of testing R packages, making the case for better, more reliable code. Resources mentioned: {naniar} package Books: (1) The R Book by Michael Crawley, and (2) R Packages by Hadley Wickham and Jenny Bryan Connect with Garrick on Bluesky and GitHub…

R for the Rest of Us

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R for the Rest of Us Podcast Episode #27: Garrick Aden-Buie 16:41

4 weeks ago16:41

16:41

In this episode I sit down with Garrick Aden-Buie, a senior software engineer at Posit (formerly RStudio), to explore his latest project: brand.yml . This innovative tool aims to simplify and unify branding across various data science outputs, including Quarto documents, Shiny apps, and more. Garrick shares the inspiration behind brand.yml, stemming from his experiences in creating custom theming solutions at different organizations. Recognizing the repetitive nature of this task, he developed brand.yml to serve as a single source of truth for styling, enabling consistent application of brand guidelines across multiple platforms. Important resources mentioned: brand.yml project page GitHub repo BSLib article on unified theming Blog post ‘Unified branding across Posit tools with brand.yml’ by Sarah Altman Connect with Garrick on LinkedIn , Bluesky and Mastodon . Visit his Website to learn more. Subscribe to our newsletter: https://rfortherestofus.com/newsletter…

R for the Rest of Us

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R for the Rest of Us Podcast Episode #25: Robert Smith 23:48

16 weeks ago23:48

23:48

In this episode, I sit down with Robert Smith, co-founder of Dark Peak Analytics, to discuss his journey from academia to advising the UK government during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rob shares his experience building data models that directly influenced public health policy and decision-making at the highest levels. We also dive into his work with Parkrun, a community-driven initiative promoting equitable access to physical activity, and how he used R to analyze participation patterns and improve accessibility. Rob's insights into health economics, simulation modeling, and the challenges of transitioning industries provide valuable lessons for data professionals. Important resources mentioned: Dark Peak Analytics Academic Papers: https://wellcomeopenresearch.org/articles/5-9 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0033350620304066 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1353829221001222 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-024-20420-0 https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/19004143v1.full.pdf Map: https://iolmap.shinyapps.io/parkrun/ Parkrun Connect with Robert on: LinkedIn: Robert Smith Subscribe to our newsletter: https://rfortherestofus.com/newsletter…

R for the Rest of Us

1
R for the Rest of Us Podcast Episode #24: Simon Couch 33:50

19 weeks ago33:50

33:50

In this episode, I chat with Simon Couch, a software engineer at Posit, about his work on AI-powered R packages. Simon maintains open-source statistical software and explores how AI can streamline coding workflows. We discuss his journey from statistics and sociology to AI-driven tooling, his development of the PAL and Gander packages, and why AI won’t replace coding anytime soon—but can definitely make it easier. Improtant resources mentioned: Simon’s blog Tidyverse blog post on PAL & Gander Connect with Simon on: LinkedIn: Simon P. Couch Bluesky: @simonpcouch.com Mastodon: @simonpcouch@fosstodon.org X: @simonpcouch Subscribe to our newsletter: https://rfortherestofus.com/newsletter…

R for the Rest of Us

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R for the Rest of Us Podcast Episode #23: Terence Teo 18:27

22 weeks ago18:27

18:27

In this episode, I chat with Terence Teo, Professor at Seton Hall University and expert in creating stunning 3D maps using the {rayshader} package in R. Terence discusses his journey into data visualization, specifically his use of R and the RayShader package to create mesmerizing 3D maps. Terence shares insights from his academic background in political science, his creative process for making maps, and how he balances artistic flair with technical rigor. The discussion dives into geospatial data, the intricacies of the {rayshader} and {rayrender} packages, and the value of experimentation in visual storytelling. Important resources mentioned: River Basins of the Iberian Peninsula: https://bsky.app/profile/tterence.bsky.social/post/3kdbsv4bbc32k GitHub repo of code used Connect with Terence on: X: @researchremora Bluesky: @tterence.bsky.social Subscribe to our newsletter: https://rfortherestofus.com/newsletter…

R for the Rest of Us

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R for the Rest of Us Podcast Episode #22: Alex Gold 34:09

30 weeks ago34:09

34:09

In this episode, I chat with Alex Gold, who leads solution engineering and support teams at Posit. We talk about his new book ‘ DevOps for Data Science’ , and explore why DevOps principles are crucial for data scientists, even if you aren't working in hardcore production environments. Alex shares insights on how to think about putting your data science projects into "production"—whether it's a report for colleagues or a full-scale deployment. We discuss practical tips like using {renv} to manage package versions and ensure reproducibility, and Alex gives a live demo on setting it up in an R project. Tune in for key takeaways on making your data science work more robust, shareable, and ready for production. Important resources mentioned: DevOps for Data Science : Buy the book here at 20% off using the discount code AFLY04. Check out the Github repo if interested. Connect with Alex on: X: @alexkgold LinkedIn: Alex Gold His website ( alexkgold.space ), where he occasionally blogs about data, management, and leadership. Subscribe to our newsletter: https://rfortherestofus.com/newsletter…

R for the Rest of Us

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R for the Rest of Us Podcast Episode #21: Cédric Viddone 23:23

32 weeks ago23:23

23:23

In this episode, I talk with Cédric Viddone, an Information Management Officer at UNHCR with over 15 years of experience in humanitarian data visualization. Cédric shares his journey from GIS and cartography to creating impactful infographics and embracing the R programming language. He discusses how R has revolutionized data efficiency within UNHCR, where it aids in producing faster, reproducible data products essential for crisis response. Cedric also highlights the growth of the UNHCR R community and introduces the organization's data visualization guidelines platform, which includes a custom ggplot theme that streamlines UNHCR branding. Additionally, Cédric explores the advantages of Quarto for developing UNHCR-branded templates, enabling team members to create consistent, polished reports with ease. Important resources mentioned: UNHCR data visualization platform UNHCR branded theme for ggplot2 and data visualization color palettes UNHCR Quarto revealjs extension UNHCR data viz GitHub repo Connect with Cédric on: X: @cvidonne Mastodon: @cvidonne@fosstodon.org LinkedIn: Cédric Viddone Subscribe to our newsletter: https://rfortherestofus.com/newsletter…

R for the Rest of Us

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R for the Rest of Us Podcast Episode #20: Christine Parker 22:19

34 weeks ago22:19

22:19

In this episode, I talk with Christine Parker, the Senior GIS Analyst on the Community Broadband Networks team at the Institute for Local Self Reliance. Christine shares how she used R to clean, combine, and summarize data for a dashboard tracking enrollment in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a COVID-era initiative to help people access affordable internet. The dashboard gained wide attention. It was shared in advocacy circles, referenced in Congress, and discussed with the White House. Christine highlights R's value for performing repeatable data tasks, particularly with regularly updated datasets, and its advantages compared to manual Excel processes. Important resources mentioned: The ACP dashboard Code that Christine used to create the dashboard Connect with Christine on: X: @birdwrangler LinkedIn: Christine Parker, PhD Subscribe to our newsletter: https://rfortherestofus.com/newsletter…

R for the Rest of Us

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R for the Rest of Us Podcast Episode #19: Crystal Lewis 41:07

39 weeks ago41:07

41:07

In this episode, I chat with Crystal Lewis about data management and her recently published book titled ‘Data Management in Large-Scale Education Research’. Crystal, a freelance research data management consultant, shares insights on good planning and systematic implementation of practices that are key to effective data management. She discusses the importance of automated data validation, and outlines a structured approach to data cleaning. Additionally, Crystal reflects on her experience writing an open-source book with Bookdown and navigating the publishing process. Important resources mentioned: Crystal’s book Data Management in Large-Scale Education Research Learn more about Crystal Lewis by visiting her website and connect with her on X ( @Cghlewis ), LinkedIn , GitHub , and Fosstodon . Subscribe to our newsletter: https://rfortherestofus.com/newsletter…

R for the Rest of Us

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R for the Rest of Us Podcast Episode #18: Miles McBain 35:17

45 weeks ago35:17

35:17

In this episode, I speak with Miles McBain, a data scientist and R package developer from Brisbane, Australia, about patterns and anti-patterns in data analysis reuse. Miles shares his journey from a generalist software developer to a data science specialist, his passion for R, and the evolution of his coding practices. We delve into the intricacies of code reuse in data analysis, discussing common pitfalls to avoid, the benefits of creating reusable code packages, the process of breaking down large codebases, and how teams can evolve their coding practices to enhance efficiency and maintainability. Important resources mentioned: Patterns and anti-patterns of data analysis reuse blog post by Miles McBain Jenny Bryan’s talk ‘ Code smells and feels ’ presented during useR!2018 Connect with Miles McBain: Website: milesmcbain.xyz/ GitHub: @milesmcbain Mastodon: https://fosstodon.org/@milesmcbain Subscribe to our newsletter: https://rfortherestofus.com/newsletter…

R for the Rest of Us

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R for the Rest of Us Podcast Episode #17: Meghan Harris 27:23

50 weeks ago27:23

27:23

In this episode, I speak with Meghan Harris, a data scientist at the Prostate Cancer Trials Consortium at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Meghan is one of the people who does generative art in R. She talks about why she likes making generative art in R and how making generative art has helped her improve her R skills in other areas. Important resources mentioned: Intro to Data Art Blog Post Art From Code Workshop by Danielle Navarro A talk Meghan did in September 2023 making a case for generative art Ijeamaka Anyene's Art Website Danielle Navarro's Art Website Ijemaka's blog Meghan referenced that help her learn/do generative art with R Connect with Meghan on LinkedIn , X , and Mastodon Subscribe to our newsletter: https://rfortherestofus.com/newsletter…

R for the Rest of Us

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R for the Rest of Us Podcast Episode #16: Cara Thompson 23:43

1 year ago23:43

23:43

In this episode, I speak with Cara Thompson about color, delving into several aspects of its use in data visualization. Cara is a UK-based data visualization consultant with over 15 years of experience in transforming data insights into clear, compelling visual stories. We explore how she finds inspiration for selecting colors, her reasons for not simply using organizations' brand colors in her visualizations, and the importance of dedicating time to thoughtfully consider color choices in this context. Important resources mentioned: monochromeR Shiny App: https://cararthompson.shinyapps.io/monochromeR/ Ophelia package documentation: https://cararthompson.github.io/ophelia/ Talk on five tips for creating and apply bespoke color palettes: https://www.cararthompson.com/talks/nhsr2022-palatable-palettes/ In-depth talk about dataviz design systems: https://www.cararthompson.com/talks/nhsr2023-dataviz-design-system/ Connect with Cara Thompson: Website: https://www.cararthompson.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cararthompson/ X: @cararthompson Github: cararthompson Subscribe to our newsletter: https://rfortherestofus.com/newsletter…

R for the Rest of Us

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R for the Rest of Us Podcast Episode #15: Nicola Rennie 16:56

1 year ago16:56

16:56

In this episode, I talk with Nicola Rennie about making data viz for mobile devices. Nicola is a lecturer in health data science based within the Center for Health Informatics, Computing, and Statistics at Lancaster University in the UK. She recounts her initial encounter with R and how she got deeper into data visualization in R as a means of creative expression. Amidst the plethora of programming languages available, Nicola sheds light on why she chose R specifically for data visualization. Additionally, she offers valuable advice for people wanting to get started with data visualization using R. Important resources mentioned: Blog post by Nicola on Designing #TidyTuesday visualisations for mobile (with Quarto) Best Practices for Data Visualisation Connect with Nicola: Website: nrennie.rbind.io Twitter: @nrennie35 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nicola-rennie Mastodon: @fosstodon.org/@nrennie ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-4797-557X Subscribe to our newsletter: https://rfortherestofus.com/newsletter…

R for the Rest of Us

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R for the Rest of Us Podcast Episode #14: Will Landau 26:15

1 year ago26:15

26:15

In this episode, I’m joined by Will Landau, a statistician and software developer currently working with Eli Lilly and Company. Will specializes in Bayesian methods, high-performance computing, and reproducible workflows. He is the creator of the {targets} R package, a pipeline tool for reproducible computation in statistics and data science. The package became part of ROpenSci in early 2021. Will talks about his journey into R and using it for open source projects. He gives a detailed account of {targets} - its origin and how it works as a reproducible analysis pipeline tool. Check out the YouTube version of this podcast Important resources mentioned: Get started with the {targets} R package in four minutes Learn more about Will by visiting his website and connect with him on LinkedIn and X ( @wmlandau ). Subscribe to our newsletter: https://rfortherestofus.com/newsletter…

R for the Rest of Us

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R for the Rest of Us Podcast Episode #13: Using R in the Humanitarian Data Space (Ahmadou Dicko) 29:14

1 year ago29:14