Shannon Ho

Information & Data Analyst

My Projects

Below is a collection of my data analysis and machine learning projects. Each one demonstrates my ability to translate raw data into actionable insights and solutions.

Superstore Sales Analysis: Looking into a Profit Crisis

Individual Project

Analyze the Superstore dataset to find key business insights and translate them into actionable recommendations, backed by data analysis and supported by an interactive dashboard.

Skills:

SQL Python Pandas Tableau Business Analysis Data Storytelling

Findings: Uncovered that the Tables product line was operating at a -8.4% profit margin, costing the company over $64,000 annually. The root cause was identified as excessive discounting (~50%) in specific markets (EU South, APAC Southeast Asia).

Identifying Fraudulent Transactions using Machine Learning

Individual Project

Analyze transaction data to identify the most effective machine learning model for accurately detecting fraudulent transactions while minimizing false positives.

Skills:

Machine Learning Python Scikit-Learn SVM KNN Model Evaluation Fraud Analysis

Findings: After comparing various models, the SVM model was the most effective, correctly identifying 97% of fraudulent cases while minimizing false positives. This is critical for fraud detection, as it prevents unnecessary customer transaction declines while stopping fraudulent activity.

Comparative Analysis of CNN & SVM for Image Classification

Individual Project

Compare convolutional neural networks (CNN) and support vector machines (SVM) for accurate traffic light classification to ensure safety in autonomous driving systems.

Skills:

Python TensorFlow Keras CNN SVM Computer Vision Model Evaluation

Findings: Model evaluation against strict safety criteria showed the SVM model was the optimal solution. It achieved zero misclassifications for red lights, the requirement, while maintaining 99%+ accuracy on all other signals.

Analyzing Seasonal Crime Trends in Boulder

Individual Project

Explored Boulder public crime data to identify temporal patterns, verify public reports of rising crime, and uncover seasonal trends to inform better public safety strategies.

Skills:

Python Pandas Matplotlib Seaborn Data Visualization Time Series Analysis

Findings: Uncovered a consistent seasonal peak in crime during August, strongly correlated with higher temperatures and the annual influx of students, providing data-driven insights for proactive public safety planning.

Philadelphia Shootings Dashboard: Enhancing Visual Cohesion

Individual Project

A comprehensive redesign of a public safety dashboard to improve visual cohesion and storytelling through spatial analysis and consistent visual design

Skills:

Python Altair GeoPandas Spatial Analysis Dashboard Design Data Storytelling

Findings: Redesigned dashboard revealed a 200% increase in shootings (2017-2021) and clear spatial correlations between neighborhood demographics and shooting incidents.

Hurricane Evacuation: Collaborative Research Analysis

Group Project

My Role: Research Analyst & Framework Specialist

A collaborative analysis of hurricane evacuation research where I applied a micro-meso-macro framework to synthesize insights from key literature and contribute to group findings.

My Contributions:

  • Applied analytical framework to categorize and synthesize research findings
  • Identified connections between individual, community, and systemic factors in evacuation decisions
  • Collaborated on Miro board to visualize research relationships and insights
  • Contributed to group analysis on equity in disaster response

Skills:

Research Analysis Data Journeys Miro Systems Thinking Team Contribution

Findings: Disaster response failures are driven by lost insurance documentation during evacuation, inaccurate storm predictions causing misaligned evacuation plans, the lack of a unified national recovery system delaying federal aid, and power outages that disrupt rescue communications.

Boulder Humane Society: Primary Research & Systems Analysis

Group Project

My Role: Primary Researcher & Systems Analyst

Original research investigating technology infrastructure and operational workflows through stakeholder interviews and systems analysis.

My Contributions:

  • Conducted primary interview with Behavior & Health Department Manager
  • Analyzed PetPoint software ecosystem and integration challenges
  • Performed content analysis of the organization's website and communication channels
  • Created detailed data journeys and process maps in Miro
  • Identified operational and technology challenges

Skills:

Stakeholder Interviews Primary Research Data Journeys Miro Process Mapping Content Analysis

Findings: There are critical software integration challenges and communication gaps affecting operational efficiency in animal welfare services.