About
our Organization
Bruin Algorithmic Traders is a student-led organization at UCLA dedicated to exploring algorithmic trading and quantitative finance. Our mission is to empower students with the skills and knowledge to develop data-driven trading strategies through hands-on projects, workshops, and collaborative learning. We aim to bridge the gap between theory and real-world application, providing members with opportunities to build and backtest trading algorithms, understand market dynamics, and connect with industry professionals.
Meet our Board of Directors
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Founder and President
I’ve always been drawn to puzzles and problem solving, which naturally led to a love for math; a subject where I participated in competitions growing up, and won a state championship in high school. I’m currently involved in financial mathematics research at UCLA and working toward publishing my first paper in the next few months. I’m also a member of the UCLA Waterski Team and Greek life. My long-term goal is to work in quantitative research. Outside of academics, I spend my time backpacking, rock climbing, solving Rubik’s cubes, long-distance running, and skiing.
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Founder and Director of Portfolio Management
I’m looking to break into quantitative trading and have a strong interest in algorithmic strategies, data-driven decision making, and financial markets in general. In helping start Bruin Algorithmic Traders, I’m hoping to build a collaborative community for students who are into quant finance, coding, and research. I’m especially excited to dive into systematic strategies, backtesting, and finding ways to apply theory in real-world trading.
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Founder and Director of Strategy
From a young age, I have been fascinated by complex problems and outside-the-box thinking. This interest served as a catalyst for my love of Mathematics and Statistics—the study of certainty and uncertainty, respectively. I am currently studying Pure Mathematics and Statistics & Data Science at UCLA.
Applying this philosophy to finance has been a uniquely rewarding endeavor in a profession that is both quantifiable and tangible. Since discovering quantitative finance, I have immersed myself in the field to learn as much as possible. Through internships, research, and developing my own models, I have only grown more eager to explore further and help others along the way.
Outside of academics, I enjoy traveling, rock climbing, discovering new cuisines, and cultivating bonsai trees.
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Director of Recruitment
As a student of mathematics and physics, my academic foundation is rooted in computational methods for tackling complex problems. I view algorithmic trading as both a practical application of these techniques and a frontier in using scientific approaches to model real-world systems. My ambition is to continue exploring the intersection of mathematics and economics, with the goal of pursuing an advanced degree in the field.
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Director of Research
Hi! My name is Daniela, and I'm a UCLA Data Theory major with minors in Data Science Engineering and the Russian language, aiming to break into quantitative analytics. As Research Head at DataRes, Quantitative Analyst at Bruin Quant Traders, Data Science Head at Bruin Machine Learning and Analytics, and Senior Consultant at Bruin Consulting, I’ve developed a strong foundation in data-driven strategy and modeling. I'm especially interested in applying statistical and machine learning techniques to real-world problems in finance and technology.
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Director of Engineering
I am currently a freshman computer science major interested in pursuing a career in quantitative finance or consulting. I am currently working as a consultant for Clean Consulting at UCLA, while also serving as a student ambassador for Engineering Ambassadors and a member of Bain's Consulting Kickstart program.
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Director of External Relations and Media
Hi! My name is Jared, and I’m a Physics major at UCLA focusing on modern mechanics and technologies, aiming to break into technology development and quantitative finance. Through rigorous coursework and hands-on projects, I’ve built a solid foundation in data analysis, simulation, and experimental methods. I’m especially interested in leveraging computational and statistical techniques to tackle real-world challenges at the intersection of finance and technology.
Outside the classroom, I stay energized by rock climbing, painting, playing music, hiking, and sailing.
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Director of Professional Development
Hi, my name is Ben! I am a mathematics and economics major here at UCLA. I have a strong interest in quantitative finance, investment banking, and trading. Through my coursework and as an executive member of Bruin Asset Management and Bruin Private Equity, I have developed a strong foundation in financial modeling, mathematics, and data analytics. I'm super excited to be a part of BAT and am looking forward to sharing my love of finance and technology with all of my peers!
Upcoming events
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Club Fair
9.23.25 12:00-2:00PM
Stop by our table at the Enormous Activities Fair in Royce Quad. Meet our team, learn about our projects, and explore upcoming events.
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Information Session
10.1.25 6:00-7:00PM
Learn how we use algorithms and data-driven strategies in trading. Learn more about what we’re working on and how you can get involved.
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Application Submission Deadline
10.7.25 11:59PM
Submit your application using the link below. Those moved on will be contacted to schedule interviews. Late submissions will not be considered.
Stay Connected
Contact Us
Feel free to reach out with any questions, collaboration ideas, or to learn more about joining our team. Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly.
FAQs
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At BAT, we welcome students from all backgrounds—no extensive experience required. That said, a foundation in coding, math, or financial markets can help you hit the ground running. As a technically driven organization, we value intellectual curiosity and a strong desire to learn. Our workshops and resources are designed to support you every step of the way, and we’re excited to work with members who are eager to grow and get involved from day on
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BAT is open to students of all majors, though we’re especially interested in those studying Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science Engineering, or Economics—particularly when paired with technical experience. You don’t need to be an expert, but you should be comfortable with quantitative thinking. Our teams span research, strategy, and engineering, so there are many ways to contribute. For those interested in development roles, especially first-year applicants, we typically look for strong programming skills and a background in CS. That said, several of our other teams welcome students without extensive coding experience and value diverse academic perspectives.
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At BAT, members collaborate to design and build a fully functional trading algorithm from the ground up. This includes researching and testing strategies, developing execution logic, writing production-level code, and analyzing performance using both real and simulated data. Multiple teams contribute to different aspects of the pipeline—from idea generation and modeling to deployment and portfolio management. Our long-term goal is to run a live algorithm on our own fund, with profits reinvested into professional development, enrichment activities, and socials. Along the way, members gain not only technical experience, but also the professional skills that open doors across finance, tech, and beyond.