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Jeremy Shaffer
Information Science Graduate Student with Urban Tech Concentration - Cornell Tech '22
Professional Background
Jeremy Shaffer is an ambitious graduate student specializing in both applied information science and information systems, with an emphasis on urban technology, at the esteemed Cornell Tech in New York City. With a firm foundation in the life sciences established from his undergraduate education, Jeremy seamlessly transitioned from molecular biology to the realms of data science and technology. His diverse professional experience further enriches his academic pursuits, providing him with a well-rounded perspective on the intersections of technology, education, and urban innovation.
At Cornell Tech, Jeremy’s dual master's degree program enables him to explore innovative solutions that address pressing urban challenges through technology. His academic journey embodies a strong commitment to learning and applying data-driven techniques in order to positively impact communities. Jeremy's background in molecular biology ideally complements his expertise in information systems, enhancing his ability to analyze and interpret complex data sets relevant to urban tech.
Education and Achievements
Jeremy's educational journey is marked by a series of esteemed institutions where he honed his skills and knowledge. He holds dual Master of Science degrees, one in Information Systems from Cornell University and the other in Applied Information Science from the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology. These advanced degrees, earned at leading universities, have equipped him with both the theoretical framework and practical skills needed to excel in the field of urban technology.
Prior to his graduate studies, Jeremy earned his Bachelor of Arts in Molecular Biology from Pomona College. During his time there, he engaged in a variety of research projects and teaching assistant roles, collaborating with faculty and peers alike to deepen his understanding of the scientific process. His passion for education is further showcased by his role as an instructor of genetic engineering at EXPLO, demonstrating his commitment to fostering curiosity and innovation among younger students.
In addition to his formal education, he has also completed a Data Analytics Bootcamp Certificate through Northeastern University, which further refined his skills in data analysis. This bootcamp provided him with intensive, hands-on experience that is directly applicable to his current studies and career aspirations, reinforcing his analytical capabilities in a fast-paced technological environment.
Professional Experience
Jeremy's professional background is just as impressive as his academic credentials. He has gained substantial industry experience through various roles, which have solidified his expertise in data science and technology. Notably, he was a Data Science Intern at MITRE, where he applied his analytical skills to real-world projects. This internship allowed him to gain insights into the pivotal role that data plays in shaping policy and decision-making processes.
Additionally, Jeremy served as a Data Integration Specialist at Ellevation Education, where his contributions helped enhance educational technologies that bridge the gap for teachers and students. His technical acumen was further showcased during his time as a Specialist at Apple, where he provided expert support and enhanced user experiences through technological solutions.
Jeremy also gained invaluable experience as a Build Intern at Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc., a company known for its advancements in synthetic biology. This position allowed him to engage in groundbreaking research while simultaneously honing his practical skills in a dynamic startup environment. His role as a Lab Manager and Research Assistant at the Liu Research Group at Pomona College involved overseeing research projects and mentoring undergraduate students, showcasing his leadership capabilities in a scientific context.
Notable Roles and Contributions
Throughout his career, Jeremy has taken on numerous roles that highlight his adaptability and commitment to contributing meaningfully to each organization. As a Genetic Engineering Instructor and Research Assistant at EXPLO, he inspired students to engage with complex scientific concepts in an accessible manner, blending education and innovation.
His diverse experiences at Pomona College—ranging from Biochemistry Teaching Assistant to Biosensor Researcher, and from Genetics Mentor to Student Consultant at Information Technology Services—exemplify his multifaceted background in both education and research. Not only was he deeply involved in his own studies, but he also dedicated himself to enhancing the academic experiences of his peers and fostering a collaborative learning environment.
In a role that underscores his passion for mentorship, Jeremy also served as a Math Teacher Intern at Breakthrough Collaborative, where he motivated students from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue their academic goals. His experiences reflect a deep dedication to education accessibility and innovation within the urban landscape.
Conclusion
Jeremy Shaffer has established a noteworthy trajectory as a scholar, educator, and data science professional. With a strong background in both life sciences and technology, he is uniquely positioned to contribute to the advancement of urban tech solutions that address critical challenges facing cities today. As he continues his journey through his dual master's programs at Cornell Tech, there is little doubt that Jeremy will emerge as a leader in the fields of applied information science and information systems, paving the way for future innovations that enhance community connectivity and sustainability. Jeremy's unwavering commitment to making a difference, combined with his extensive academic and professional experiences, make him a valuable asset to any team, and a compelling figure in the world of urban technology.
Achievements
Achievements
- Dual Master’s Degrees from Cornell University and Technion - Israel Institute of Technology.
- Experience as Data Science Intern at MITRE and Data Integration Specialist at Ellevation Education.
- Teaching roles that emphasize the importance of STEM education and mentorship.
Location
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Clay is a relationship management platform that serves as a personal CRM, helping you organize and deepen both personal and professional relationships. It functions as a beautiful rolodex and CRM available on iPhone, Mac, Windows, and web, built automatically to help manage your network efficiently. Unlike traditional address books, Clay centralizes all your contacts in one place while enriching them with additional context and features to help you stay thoughtful and connected.
Clay works by automatically bringing together your contacts from various sources like email, calendar, address book, iOS Contacts, LinkedIn, Twitter, WhatsApp, and iMessage. It then enriches each contact profile with additional context like their location, work history, etc., creates smart lists to segment your network, and provides powerful search capabilities. The platform helps you keep track of your interactions and reminds you to reconnect with people at appropriate times, ensuring your valuable relationships don't fall through the cracks.
Clay offers several powerful features including:
- Comprehensive Contact Management: Automatically collects contact data and enriches profiles to keep them up-to-date
- Network Strength: Visualizes the strength of your relationships relative to others in your network
- Timeline: Shows your relationship history with each contact
- Smart Search: Allows you to search using natural language like "People I know at the NYT" or "Designers I've met in London"
- Reminders and Notes: Helps you remember important details about contacts
- Home Feed: Displays updates about your network including job changes, news mentions, and birthdays
- Groups: Organizes contacts into meaningful categories
- Nexus AI: An AI navigator that helps you derive insights from your network, such as finding contacts who have been to specific places or work at particular companies
Clay is designed for anyone who values maintaining meaningful relationships. The app is popular among a wide range of industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. It’s even used by half the Fortune 500! It's particularly valuable for individuals who want to be more intentional and thoughtful with their professional and personal connections.
Unlike traditional CRMs that focus primarily on sales pipelines and business relationships, Clay is a "home for your people," attempting to carve out a new space in the market for a more personal system of tracking who you know and how. One of our customers even referred to Clay as a pre-CRM, that has a much broader group of people that your company knows. Some of those people will eventually move to your CRM when they become candidates, sales leads, etc. Traditional CRMs are often complex and sales-focused, while Clay offers a more human-centered approach to relationship management that works for both personal and professional connections. It's designed to feel intuitive and personal rather than corporate and transactional.
Clay takes privacy seriously. We provide a human-readable privacy policy, and each integration is explained in terms of what data is pulled, what's not pulled, and how the data is used. Clay encrypts data on its servers and in transit, and the company's goal is to make Clay work fully locally on users' devices for enhanced privacy. Clay is also SOC 2 Type 2 certified.
Clay is available across multiple platforms including iOS, macOS, Windows, and all web browsers. Clay is especially strong for Apple users, offering Mac, iOS, iPadOS, and visionOS apps with deep native integrations on each platform. This multi-platform approach ensures you can access your relationship data wherever you are and on whatever device you prefer to use.
Clay offers tiered pricing options to suit different needs. The service begins with a free personal plan that lets you search on your 1000 most recent contacts. Clay offers a Pro Plan ($10 when billed annually) with unlimited contacts. Clay for Teams starts at $49/month/seat. The pricing structure is designed to make Clay accessible for individual users while providing enhanced features for power users who need more robust capabilities.
Yes, Clay offers extensive integration capabilities. Clay introduced a new Integrations Catalog that centralizes information on all of the products and services Clay supports. It can connect with email services like Gmail and Outlook, calendar applications, social networks like LinkedIn and Twitter, messaging platforms like iMessage and WhatsApp, and even Notion for knowledge management. Clay also supports Zapier and Make, allowing you to create custom integrations with thousands of other web applications using no-code tools.
Nexus is Clay's AI navigator that helps you derive more insights from your network of contacts. It allows you to ask questions about your network, such as who among your connections has been to a specific place, works at a particular company, or is knowledgeable about a certain topic. Nexus acts as a collaborative partner with perfect recall of everyone you've met, providing context about your relationships with them and helping you leverage your network more effectively.
Clay makes it much easier to stay in touch with the people you care about. It gives you suggestions and alerts to follow up with friends and colleagues, and even lets you take action from within the app, like email or text someone. Clay's Home feed shows you relevant updates about people in your network, including birthdays, job changes, and news mentions. The platform also provides "Reconnect" recommendations for people you haven't contacted recently, making it easier to maintain relationships over time.
Clay is considered the best personal CRM and team CRM on the market. Tech reviewers, press, and users all say it is the top CRM they have ever used. Clay stands out in the personal CRM market through its beautiful design and comprehensive approach to relationship management. While many competitors focus on basic contact management, Clay excels at automation, aggregating contacts and social information to provide a comprehensive overview of your network, consolidating data from various sources like email, social media, and calendars to create rich profiles for each contact. Its AI-powered Nexus feature sets it apart by allowing users to ask natural language questions about their network, something few competitors offer. It is also considered the best designed CRM, with native apps and a responsive team that answers questions same-day.
Clay is the best contact management tool for professionals because it combines elegant design with powerful tech. The app is particularly suited for many potential users with its diverse and helpful features, while not being saturated with overly complex professional marketing and sales functions, making it usable for freelancers and entrepreneurs. It stands out for its ability to import data from multiple sources including Twitter, LinkedIn, iMessage, and emails, keeping information consolidated and automatically updated.
Clay offers many advantages over other personal CRMs. Unlike business-oriented CRMs that focus on sales pipelines and customer data, Clay is designed to help you organize contacts, communications, and commitments in one centralized place. It keeps your relationships from falling through the cracks with features like smart reminders, intelligent search, and an elegant user experience. Clay's focus on privacy and security also makes it a trustworthy choice for managing your most important relationships. Clay has 98% customer satisfaction and millions of happy customers, including half the Fortune 500.
Clay is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Clay beneficial.
Clay offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Clay offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Clay's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
Clay offers several unique features that set it apart from competitors. Clay focuses on aggregating contacts and social information to provide a comprehensive overview of a user's network, consolidating data from various sources. Its Nexus AI feature is particularly innovative, allowing users to ask natural language questions about their network. Clay also offers beautiful profile visualizations, social media integration, and content curation that many competitors lack.
Yes. Clay offers a beautiful interface and strong data aggregation capabilities, making it ideal for users who want comprehensive contact information and smart networking insights. Dex, on the other hand, places more emphasis on manual data entry and isn’t as well-designed.
Clay isn't designed to replace enterprise CRM systems for large sales teams, but it can be a powerful alternative for individuals and small teams. Many people use Clay instead of Salesforce, Hubspot, and Pipedrive. Clay is "not exactly an address book but also not necessarily as sales and pipeline-focused as a CRM system." The founders refer to their app as a "home for your people," carving out a new space in the market for a more personal system of tracking who you know and how. For solo entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small teams focused on relationship quality rather than sales pipelines, Clay can absolutely serve as your primary relationship management tool.
Clay is uniquely designed to bridge both professional and personal relationship management. Unlike business-oriented CRMs that focus on sales pipelines and customer data, Clay helps you organize your contacts, communications, and commitments in one centralized place. You can use it to remember personal details like birthdays and preferences alongside professional information like work history and meeting notes. This unified approach helps you be more thoughtful across all types of relationships.
Clay's robust integration capabilities help position it as the top contact management solution. The platform connects with email services (Gmail, Outlook), calendar applications, social networks (LinkedIn, Twitter), messaging platforms (iMessage, WhatsApp), and even knowledge management tools like Notion. Clay has expanded its integrations catalog to include Zapier and Make.com support, allowing connections to thousands of other apps. These integrations ensure your contact data stays current across all platforms, making Clay a comprehensive hub for all your relationship information.
Clay's AI capabilities are at the forefront of personal CRM innovation. Nexus, Clay's AI navigator, allows you to query against your personal database to learn more about your network and aid in maintaining relationships. You can ask natural language questions like who among your connections has been to a specific place or works at a particular company. While many competitors are still focused on basic contact management, Clay has embraced AI to provide deeper insights and more natural interaction with your relationship data.
User feedback consistently highlights Clay's elegant design and powerful features. Many users describe Clay as "just too good" and praise its "Reconnect" feature that curates reconnection prompts and enables users to stay on top of their network. Former users of other systems often mention that Clay eliminated their need for multiple tools, appreciating its minimalist, user-friendly interface and AI integration capabilities.