People / Students / Class of 2026
Blake Wood graduated with a B.S. in Data Science from the University of Florida, where he combined a strong academic foundation with hands-on research and internship experience. At UF, he contributed to NSF-funded glaciology research and collaborated with the Florida Museum of Natural History to apply machine learning and spatial data techniques to environmental and archaeological research.
Most recently, Blake served as a Data Science Intern at Walt Disney World, where he built a machine learning pipeline to predict track switch failures using raw sensor data. This proof-of-concept achieved 96% downtime detection and is now being scaled across other attractions to enable proactive maintenance. He has continued with his team at Disney, and currently works as an Associate Data Scientist while he completes his master's.
Blake is passionate about applying data science to scientific discovery, sustainability, and public impact. He is excited to join the MLDS program to deepen his skills in machine learning, predictive modeling, and data engineering, and looks forward to collaborating with peers on real-world projects that drive meaningful change.
