Christopher L. Zerr

Christopher L. Zerr

Data Scientist II

Mastercard

Biography

I am currently a Data Scientist II at Mastercard as part of the the Model Services team within Mastercard’s Merchant and Acquirer Solutions. I develop and deploy predict models using various statistical and machine learning techniques to address business challenges. I collaborate with data engineers, product managers, and stakeholders to understand business requirements and translate them into data-driven solutions. I work at Mastercard’s St. Louis Tech Hub in O’Fallon, Missouri.

I worked as a Postdoctoral Research Associate for 3 years with Dr. Henry Roediger and Dr. Jim Wertsch at Washington University in St. Louis (2021 - 2024). I received my A.M. (Master’s degree; 2017) and Ph.D. (2021) in Psychological & Brain Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis working under Dr. Kathleen McDermott in her Memory & Cognition Lab. I received my B.Sc. in Psychology and Statistical Methods from Truman State University in 2015 and also spent summers doing research at the University of Michigan and University of Vermont.

My main interests are in examining both collective memory and individual differences in long-term memory, in particular how memories are formed and how they change over time. I am also interested in the similarities (and differences) between individual and group memory and forgetting. Much of my doctoral work was focused on the relation between how quickly people learn information and how well they remember it over time, as well as how learning rate related to forgetting rate. I participated in the Cognitive, Computational, and Systems Neuroscience (CCSN) pathway and was a National Science Foundation GRFP recipient.

Interests

  • Statistics / Data Visualization
  • R / Python / SQL
  • Machine Learning / AI
  • Storytelling with Data
  • Learning and Memory
  • Individual Differences

Education

  • PhD in Psychological & Brain Sciences, 2021

    Washington University in St. Louis

  • AM in Psychological & Brain Sciences, 2017

    Washington University in St. Louis

  • BSc in Psychology & Statistical Methods, 2015

    Truman State University

Skills

R

Python

SQL

JavaScript

Statistics

Excel

Experience

 
 
 
 
 

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Psychological & Brain Sciences

Sep 2021 – Jul 2024 Washington University in St. Louis
PIs: Henry L. Roediger, PhD, & James V. Wertsch, PhD
 
 
 
 
 

Research Fellow

Kavli Summer Institute in Cognitive Neuroscience

Jun 2019 – Jul 2019 University of California, Santa Barbara
 
 
 
 
 

Doctoral Student

Psychological & Brain Sciences

Jun 2015 – May 2021 Washington University in St. Louis
PI: Kathleen B. McDermott, PhD
 
 
 
 
 

Neuroscience Research Fellow

Summer Neuroscience Undergraduate Research Fellowship

May 2014 – Aug 2014 University of Vermont
PI: Mark E. Bouton, PhD
 
 
 
 
 

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Clinical Psychosocial Laboratory

Aug 2013 – May 2015 Truman State University
PI: Jeffrey R. Vittengl, PhD
 
 
 
 
 

Statistical Consultant

Center for Applied Statistics and Evaluation

Aug 2012 – May 2015 Truman State University
 
 
 
 
 

Cardiovascular Research Fellow

Frankel Cardiovascular Center Summer Fellowship

May 2012 – Aug 2012 Center for Arrhythmia Research, University of Michigan
PI: José Jalife, MD
 
 
 
 
 

Laboratory Manager

Center for Applied Psychophysiology

Aug 2011 – May 2015 Truman State University
PI: Fredric B. Shaffer, PhD
 
 
 
 
 

Undergraduate Student (BSc)

Psychology, Statistical Methods

Aug 2011 – May 2015 Truman State University

Accomplish­ments

AFNI & SUMA Workshop

Training workshop for functional neuroimaging analysis software, including AFNI (Analysis of Functional NeuroImages) and SUMA (SUrface models and MApping volumetric data).
See certificate

Quantitative Data Analysis

The goal of the Certificate is to ensure that students have both a solid basis in Probability and Statistics as well as Inference and Quantitative Research Design, as well as some depth of experience in a more advanced topic area. As such, students completing the Certificate are required to take at least five courses.
See certificate

Cognitive, Computational and Systems Neuroscience (CCSN) Pathway

The Cognitive, Computational and Systems Neuroscience (CCSN) Pathway is a specialized curriculum available to students pursuing a PhD in Neuroscience, Psychology, Biomedical Engineering, or other brain-related discipline at Washington University. The curriculum is challenging and is designed to help students tackle problems using an interdisciplinary approach.
See certificate

Recent Posts

Projects

Recent & Upcoming Talks

Contact

  • 2200 Mastercard Blvd, O'Fallon, MO 63368