Originally from Pogradec, Albania, Orest Aliçkolli began his academic journey at Muharrem Çollaku Public High School before moving to the United States in 2007. He initially pursued engineering and worked as a structural designer, contributing to the design of nuclear power plants. Driven by a passion for data and innovation, Orest later earned a Master’s degree in Analytics from the University of Chicago and transitioned into the field of data science. Today, he serves as a Staff Data Scientist at Mintel, a global leader in market intelligence. In this role, he leads the research and development of data-driven and AI-powered products, helping to shape the future of consumer insights. Orest blends deep technical expertise with a strategic mindset, bridging complex analytics with real-world business applications.