
Paul Okafor
Data Scientist & AI Engineer
Professional Summary
Paul is a highly skilled AI/LLM Engineer and Data Scientist with over five years of experience designing and deploying intelligent, end-to-end AI systems. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Data Science and Analytics at the University of Oklahoma, Paul’s work bridges applied AI engineering and healthcare research, focusing on building interpretable, real-time AI systems for aging and disease modeling.
Paul’s technical strengths lie in LLM fine-tuning, multi-agent system design, and AI infrastructure development. He has built production-grade, multi-agent LLM platforms using LangGraph, LangChain, and Azure AI, including a flagship conversational AI agent for Telogical Systems, which became the company’s primary interface for telecom-data analytics. His independent portfolio extends to deep-research AI agents (“Morgana”), real-time voice AI systems integrating LiveKit and FastAPI, and computer vision models leveraging YOLO for object detection.
In academia, Paul’s research applies machine learning to understand the biological and cognitive impact of chemotherapy-induced aging in pediatric cancer survivors. His work explores predictive modeling, biological age estimation, and microvascular damage detection, contributing to emerging solutions for neurocognitive decline and age-related diseases. Beyond oncology, his research extends to Cerebral Small Vessel Diseases (CSVD) and federated models for biological age prediction, underscoring his commitment to AI for health and longevity.
Skills & Expertise
AI & Machine Learning
Cloud Architecture & MLOps
Programming
Data Science
Work Experience
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Oklahoma
Norman, OK, USA
August 2023 - Present
- •Developed cost-sensitive online learning models for control chart pattern recognition, improving real-time monitoring and anomaly detection in manufacturing processes, and significantly reducing misclassification costs.
- •Applied interpretable machine learning (IML) techniques, including SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) and LIME (Local Interpretable Model-agnostic Explanations), to optimize recombinant protein titer production in *E. coli* fermentations, contributing to advancements in biomanufacturing.
- •Co-authored and presented research on advanced filtering techniques (Kalman Filter, Particle Filter) for titer estimation at the 2024 IEEE Big Data Conference, demonstrating improved accuracy in recombinant protein production using fermentation data.
Data Scientist
Backyard Innovations Limited
Nigeria
September 2020 - July 2023
- •Led the development and deployment of predictive analytics models for smart home energy systems, using advanced machine learning techniques (e.g., time series forecasting with LSTM networks) to predict hourly energy consumption. This resulted in a 20% improvement in system efficiency and reduced energy waste.
- •Performed comprehensive analysis of weather data (temperature, humidity, solar radiation) and energy consumption data from smart homes to identify optimization opportunities, leading to significant operational cost savings and improved energy usage patterns.
- •Developed and maintained data pipelines to ingest, process, and store large volumes of time-series data from smart home devices, ensuring data quality and availability for analysis and modeling.
- •Created interactive dashboards and reports using Power BI to visualize key performance indicators (KPIs) and communicate insights to stakeholders, facilitating data-driven decision-making.
Technical Sales Engineer
Fortizo Energy Resources Limited
Nigeria
February 2020 - July 2020
- •Developed and delivered technical bids and proposals, resulting in a significant increase in the company's contract win rate and improved client satisfaction.
- •Utilized expertise in process designs, equipment lists, and heat/material balances to ensure the accuracy and efficiency of project deliverables. Built and maintained strong client relationships to drive sales targets and revenue growth.
- •Conducted market research and competitive analysis to identify new business opportunities and inform sales strategies.
Certifications
Education
Ph.D. in Data Science and Analytics
University of Oklahoma
January 2025 - Present
GPA: 3.5
Activities and Societies:
- OU Data Science Club
M.S. in Data Science and Analytics
University of Oklahoma
August 2023 - December 2024
GPA: 3.5
Activities and Societies:
- Graduate Research Assistant
- National Science Foundation (NSF) Agric AI coding challenge Winner
- TeamElectra in the Air Selangor Data & Digital Hackathon 2024 in Malaysia (Finalist)
M.S. in Petroleum Engineering and Project Development
University of Port Harcourt
November 2018 - November 2019
GPA: 4.6
Activities and Societies:
- TeamElectra in the Air Selangor Data & Digital Hackathon 2024 in Malaysia (Finalist)
B.S. in Petroleum and Gas Engineering
University of Lagos
October 2012 - December 2016
GPA: 3.54
Activities and Societies:
- TeamElectra in the Air Selangor Data & Digital Hackathon 2024 in Malaysia (Finalist)
Hobbies & Interests
Watching popular series and discovering new favorites
Exploring Oklahoma's beautiful trails and mountain ranges
Connecting with nature and embracing outdoor adventures
Playing pick-up games and following the NBA
Exploring new cultures and broadening perspectives
Trying new recipes and experimenting with different cuisines

