Huacen Xu |

About Me

Hi, I am a data engineer at BlackRock, the largest asset management firm in the world. My team is part of Aladdin Data – BlackRock’s in-house data center and a multibillion-dollar SaaS platform. Leveraging my technical expertise and financial knowledge, I focus on optimizing processes and leveraging AI to enhance data quality and products, contributing to improved client transparency and services. For more about my professional journey, please check my resume here.

Technical Expertise

Machine Learning: Proficient in applying machine learning techniques, including supervised and unsupervised learning, to develop predictive models for financial analysis and risk assessment.
Artificial Intelligence: Skilled in AI methodologies such as natural language processing (NLP), data mining, and algorithmic optimization to extract actionable insights from complex datasets.
Data Analytics: Experienced in using Python, Power BI, and SQL for statistical analysis, data visualization, and model development, with a focus on financial and social data.

Research Interest

While continuing my professional work, I also pursue academic research, as I believe in the value of academic research in industry applications. My work focuses on two main areas:

The first centers on applying advanced AI techniques to develop predictive models that uncover disparities across social structures in our financial system. For example, I investigate how social norms and stratification influence life chances and financial outcomes. By incorporating and quantifying these macro and individual factors, we can improve financial modeling in our fast-changing, highly polarized, and divided society. I aim to expand my work in this area.
The second focus is on science communication, particularly regarding public perceptions of AI technologies. This includes studying the political polarization of science, which highlights the importance of ideologies and worldviews in shaping our responses to issues such as COVID-19, vaccination, and AI applications.

Selected Publications

Convergence or Divergence? A Cross-Platform Analysis of Climate Change Visual Content Categories, Features, and Social Media Engagement on Twitter and Instagram

S Qian, Y Lu, Y Peng, CC Shen, Huacen Xu - Public Relations Review, 2024

Through unsupervised image clustering, we identified five main categories of climate change visuals. We found that Instagram featured more nature landscapes and wildlife, while Twitter had more infographics and captioned images. These differences also extended to visual features like color tones and the presence of faces. Our findings emphasize the importance of tailoring visual content to platform-specific characteristics when communicating about climate change on social media.

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Examining Public Attitudes and Ideological Divides Through Media Engagement: An Empirical Analysis of Moral Foundations Theory Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

Huacen Xu - Current Research in Social Psychology, 2024

In this study, I apply Moral Foundations Theory to analyze 53,358 Facebook posts from U.S. news outlets during the COVID-19 pandemic. My study highlights how these moral frameworks influence audience engagement and public responses to scientific and social issues.

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Couple Similarity and Life Satisfaction: A Study of Young Couples in Shanghai of Mainland China

K Shen, Huacen Xu, O Joshi, F Chen - Chinese Families; Tradition, Modernisation, and Change, 2021

Using data from the Fudan Yangtze River Delta Social Transformation Survey and applying ordered logistic regression models, this study reveals that while traditional markers of marriage hypergamy have minimal impact, hukou status—reflecting social stratification—significantly influences life satisfaction among young married couples in Shanghai.

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Can Microfinance Achieve Both Social and Financial Goals? Investigation on MicroCred Nanchong

Huacen Xu - Inclusive Finance in China, 2021

I conducted in-depth interviews with Nanchong Meixin executives to understand how their internal mechanisms balance both social and commercial goals, offering valuable insights into the dual objectives of microfinance institutions.

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Double Bind in Loan Access in China: The Reification of Gender Differences in Business Loans

Huacen Xu, HJ Zhan, CEE James, LD Fannin, Y Yin - International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship, 2018

This paper utilizes predictive modeling to analyze and address gender disparities in loan access, highlighting that women's perception of a higher likelihood of loan rejection affects their willingness to apply in the first place.

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Academic Conference Reviewer

Annual Conference of the American Council on Consumer Interests (ACCI)
Annual International Communication Association Conference (ICA)