About Me

I'm a PhD candidate at Sabanci University exploring how machine learning and reinforcement learning can improve trading execution and portfolio optimization. With a background in analytics and modelling, I enjoy turning complex data into practical solutions — whether building predictive models, automating workflows, or researching quantitative strategies.

Education

PhD — Business Analytics & Operations Management

Sabanci University

Feb 2024 — Present

Istanbul, Turkey

GPA: 3.58 / 4.00

Full Scholarship — Sabanci University Dean's Office

Coursework

Operations & Decision Analytics · Data Mining · Methods of Statistical Inference · Probability & Statistics · Stochastic Processes · Dynamic Programming · Empirical Methods in Operations Management · Modeling in Operations Management · Operations Research & Data Mining · Logistics & Transportation Systems Planning

MSc — Business Analytics

University of Edinburgh

Sept 2022 — Sept 2023

Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

Classification: Merit

Full State Scholarship — Ministry of Science & Education, Republic of Azerbaijan

Coursework

Predictive Analytics · Prescriptive Analytics · Stochastic Optimization · Simulation Modelling · Principles of Data Analytics · Python Programming · Game Theory for Business Analytics · Web & Social Network Analytics · Soft Computing · Industrial Organisation

Exchange Semester

ICD Business School

Jan 2020 — May 2020

Paris, France

Erasmus+ Scholarship

Coursework

International Finance · Management of Complex Sales · Negotiation Strategies · Digital Marketing · Business Plan · Hackathon

BBA — Business Administration

ADA University

Sept 2017 — Jun 2022

Baku, Azerbaijan

GPA: 3.52 / 4.00

Coursework

Business Analytics · Business Statistics I & II · Operations Management · Corporate Finance · Financial Investments · Principles of Finance · Managerial Accounting · Financial Accounting · Management Information Systems · Calculus · Microeconomics · Macroeconomics · Strategic Management · Marketing Management · Corporate Communications · Entrepreneurship

Experience

Teaching Assistant

Sabanci University

Feb 2024 — Present

Istanbul, Turkey

  • TA for Introduction to Data Analysis (MGMT 203), Introduction to Management (MGMT 201), International Business (MGMT 403), and Decision Making Under Uncertainty (OPIM 410)
  • Provided recitation classes, graded exams, delivered feedback, and guided student course projects

Business Development Assistant

Chamberlain McBain

Jun 2023 — Dec 2023

Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

  • Scraped 4,000+ commercial property listings across Scotland and cross-matched them with 260,000+ valuation rolls from Scottish Assessors; built an interactive Tableau dashboard mapping property trends
  • Automated weekly scraping of 1,000+ court rolls; enriched records with Companies House API data to analyse pursuer/defender participation and industry representation
  • Built a Python pipeline (web scraping → demand modelling → automated visualisation → LinkedIn outreach) that replaced two days of manual weekly work

Data Validation Associate

Ipsos MORI

Jan 2023 — Jun 2023

Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

  • Validated data gathered from telephone interviews, surveys, and venue visits; cross-referenced inputs to ensure 100% accuracy and compliance with company standards

Junior Financial Analyst

FINADCO

Feb 2022 — Sept 2022

Baku, Azerbaijan

  • Conducted due diligence and feasibility studies for large investment projects, including a $17M venture; performed financial modelling and sensitivity analysis in Excel and presented reports to guide investment decisions
  • Estimated the value of five government-owned tangible assets and equipment exceeding USD 4M; authored the final valuation report detailing techniques employed for each asset
  • Conducted market research on the global and local hazelnut industry as well as the local bond market

Teaching Assistant

ADA University

Oct 2021 — Jan 2022

Baku, Azerbaijan

  • TA for Business Statistics; organized classes, graded exams, and provided feedback to students

Communications Assistant

Azerbaijan Micro-Finance Association

Jan 2021 — Dec 2021

Baku, Azerbaijan

  • Assessed CSR project data and presented insights through interactive dashboards to senior stakeholders, leveraging Python and Excel
  • Pioneered a shift from handwritten data collection to a digital approach via Google Forms; directed the firm's social media and website presence, delivering monthly performance reports through Google Analytics
  • Orchestrated key stakeholder meetings, ensuring seamless coordination for guest invitations and communication

Skills

Programming

Python SQL Git Terminal

Analytics

descriptive predictive prescriptive modelling

Automation

n8n (low code) python (code-based) api integration

BI / Visualisation

Power BI Tableau Matplotlib

Cloud & Databases

AWS Azure PostgreSQL MongoDB

Test Scores

640

GMAT

Quant: 49 / 51

Dec 2021

110

TOEFL iBT

Jan 2024

8.0

IELTS

Jun 2022

Languages

Azerbaijani / Turkish Native
English Fluent
Dutch Elementary

Hobbies & Interests

Calisthenics Fitness Running Cryptocurrencies Philosophy Politics Graphic Design ↗
© 2026 Elvin Zeynalli. All rights reserved.