Keynote Speaker

Allison Rajakumar is a director of data science & statistics at Lubrizol, where she leads a team applying statistics, machine learning, and AI to solve real‑world problems in chemistry, materials, and product development. With more than 19 years of experience as both a statistician and technical leader, she is focused on turning complex data into practical tools that improve efficiency and enable data-driven decision making across the company.

Rajakumar earned her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Cleveland State University and a master’s degree in applied statistics from The Ohio State University. She enjoys speaking with students about career pathways in data science and how diverse technical and analytical skills come together in industry.

Lunch & Learn Keynote Address: 

A Data Science Journey in Specialty Chemicals: Lessons from Q.LIFE®

Abstract 
Lubrizol’s advanced predictive modeling system, Q.LIFE®, acts as a quiet hero in the specialty chemicals landscape, bringing together hundreds of empirical models, from regression to advanced ensemble models, to tackle complex formulation challenges with speed, precision, and insight no individual could achieve alone. Like any heroic force, Q.LIFE® relies on vigilant monitoring and continuous care to ensure predictions remain reliable as new data arrives.

This talk traces Lubrizol’s data science journey, from early analytical foundations to the sophisticated, highly integrated system that now supports thousands of formulation predictions each month, highlighting the operational discipline, techniques, and processes required to maintain such a widely used platform.