Don L
- Research Program Mentor
MBA/PhD candidate at Universiteit Antwerpen Management School
Expertise
My areas of expertise are: Computer Science, Data Science & AI, Economics, Business & Finance, International Relations, Law, History, and Literature/Writing.
Bio
I am a PhD candidate at Antwerp Management School, in partnership with the National University of Singapore, specializing in how youth entrepreneurship leverages AI and digital platforms to drive socio-economic mobility in Southeast Asia. My academic expertise bridges a wide array of disciplines, spanning Data Science, Business and Finance, Economics, and International Relations. Backed by eight years of experience as a dedicated 1-to-1 research mentor and tutor, I specialize in guiding high school and early university students through the entire research process, transforming their initial curiosity into robust, publication-ready papers that stand out in competitive university applications.Project ideas
Coding for Change: Using Data Science to Map How AI is Reshaping Economic Mobility
Can a smartphone and an internet connection actually lift a young person out of poverty? This project merges data science with economics to find out. Using public platform data, surveys, or digital market trends from rapid-growth hubs like Singapore and Indonesia, you will analyze how digital tools are changing career pathways for youth. You will learn to use data analysis tools to track metrics like skill acquisition, income growth, or platform reach. Ultimately, you'll produce a data-driven research paper that proposes how tech platforms can be better designed to foster global equality and economic opportunity.
The Algorithm of Influence: How Gen Z Founders are Rewriting the Rules of E-Commerce
Traditional marketing is dead, and today's successful businesses are built on community, viral loops, and algorithm optimization. This project dives into the psychology and business strategies behind successful youth-led digital brands in the US and Southeast Asia. You will analyze how young founders use TikTok, community-building platforms, and AI-driven marketing to capture consumer attention on a tight budget. Your final project can take the form of a comparative market analysis paper or a comprehensive, investor-ready marketing and growth playbook for a modern digital startup.
Predicting the Side Hustle: Building an AI Model to Forecast Gig Economy Success
Can machine learning predict which digital startups or freelancing paths will actually succeed? In this project, you will step into the shoes of a data scientist to build a predictive model that analyzes what makes digital creators and gig workers successful. Using Python, you will collect and clean real-world platform data (such as freelancer profiles, product listings, or social media engagement metrics) to identify key performance indicators. Depending on your coding experience, you will implement and compare different machine learning algorithms (ranging from simple regression and decision trees to classification models) to forecast income potential or business longevity.