Database Reference
In-Depth Information
4
Erin Shellman
Nordstrom
Erin Shellman
is a statistician and data scientist in the Nordstrom Data Lab—a
small team of data scientists and software developers who build data-driven tech-
nologies like product recommendations. As of the time of writing, Nordstrom oper-
ates 289 full-line department stores across the United States and in Canada, and
151 Nordstrom Racks. Shoppers increasingly buy online and Nordstrom offers a
variety of retail experiences to fit different preferences. For bargain-hunters, the
flash sale site Hautelook offers daily deals for members, and for men who want a
personal touch, Trunk Club provides a curated home try-on experience. In combi-
nation with Nordstrom.com, nordstromrack.com, and brick-and-mortar stores,
these channels result in a rich data ecosystem that the Data Lab uses to inform
business decisions and enhance the customer experience.
Shellman's data science career began with an internship at the National Institutes
of Health in the Division of Computational Biosciences. It was here that she initially
learned and applied machine learning to uncover patterns in genomic evolution.
Following her internship, she completed a Master of Science degree in biostatistics
and a doctoral degree in bioinformatics both from the University of Michigan in Ann
Arbor. While at the University of Michigan, Shellman collaborated frequently and
analyzed many types of heterogeneous biological data including gene expression
microarrays, metabolomics, network graphs, and clinical time-series.
A frequent speaker and teacher, Shellman has presented at conferences such as
Strata and the Big Data Congress II, and also speaks regularly at meet-ups and gath-
erings in the Seattle technology community. She is also an instructor at the University
of Washington where she teaches data mining in the continuing education program.
As a community outreach leader, Shellman is a co-organizer of the Seattle chapter
of PyLadies, an international mentorship group for women in the Python open-source
community, and a mentor to young women pursuing education and careers in math
through the Association for Women in Mathematics.
