COSMOS just hired a new data engineer, Krithish Goli! Krithish graduated with a master’s degree in Computer Science from Arizona State University, and has now joined the COSMOS Research Center. His passion lies in understanding distributed systems and how large-scale systems operate. During his master’s program, he also gained experience as a Software Developer Intern. We spoke with Krithish about his aspirations and goals for the role, what he brings to it, and how he heard about and was attracted to COSMOS.

What is your name, and what role do you play at COSMOS?

My name is Krithish Goli, and I will be working at COSMOS as the head data engineer.

Can you share a bit about your professional background and experience?

I graduated from Arizona State University with a master’s degree in Computer Science. Before that, I spent 2 years as a Data Engineer at TCS – Shutterfly, where I designed and implemented data processing solutions using Vertica DB (an OLAP database), MongoDB (an OLTP database), and created data pipelines with Pentaho – ETL tool. During my summer internship at Commvault Systems, I worked as a backend developer using C++. Additionally, In Spring 2024, I worked as a software developer for Boehringer Ingelheim, using Node.js, React, and PostgreSQL.

Were there specific aspects of our company culture or mission that resonated with you?

I joined COSMOS as a Data Engineer because the lab’s mission and research focus align with my interests. I am drawn to the lab’s commitment to understanding and addressing important social issues, from promoting awareness to combating misinformation. The diverse range of projects and the opportunity to work with talented researchers from around the world make COSMOS an exciting place for me to contribute my skills.

Are there any specific skills or experiences you’re looking to gain here?

I am looking forward to learning new skills and growing professionally. I’m excited about working with large datasets, which will require a significant amount of preprocessing. My goal is to ensure that the data is well-prepared and accessible for researchers to generate valuable insights. This experience will not only enhance my technical abilities but also allow me to contribute to important research projects. 

Some specific skills I’m looking forward to gaining are, creating systems that operate at scale with low latency and high throughput, optimizing pipelines to facilitate faster data transfer, and ensuring that there are no discrepancies in a dataset. 

Is there anything that stood out to you during your onboarding process?

During my onboarding at COSMOS, I had the opportunity to meet many new people, and everyone was incredibly welcoming.

How do you see yourself growing professionally within COSMOS?

I see myself advancing professionally at COSMOS by deepening my expertise in data engineering and analysis. I aim to tackle complex challenges with large datasets and refine my skills in optimizing data processing workflows. Collaborating closely with diverse experts at COSMOS will provide valuable insights and opportunities for impactful contributions to research initiatives. 

Based on your experience, what advice would you give to someone starting a new role at COSMOS?

As someone new to COSMOS, which is an exciting place to be, I’d suggest embracing curiosity. Ask questions freely to understand how things work. Being curious and questioning why things are done a certain way can help you learn more deeply. Also, try connecting with colleagues from different backgrounds—they can offer valuable insights that enrich your experience here.

If you could have dinner with any historical figure or fictional character, who would it be and why?

If I had the opportunity, I would choose to have dinner with Alan Turing. His pioneering work in computer science laid the foundation for modern computing. I would be fascinated to discuss with him his insights into early computing, and his approach to problem-solving, which continue to shape the field today.