Sasha Spala
About Sasha Spala
Sasha Spala is an Applied NLP Research Engineer currently working at Pryon, with a background in machine learning and computational linguistics. Previously employed at Adobe for six years, Spala focuses on transitioning machine learning model evaluation from research to production environments, emphasizing the impact of model errors on product design and user behavior.
Work at Pryon
Sasha Spala currently serves as an Applied NLP Research Engineer at Pryon, a position held since 2023. In this role, she focuses on the application of natural language processing techniques to enhance product offerings. Her work emphasizes the transition of machine learning model evaluation from research environments to production products, aiming to understand the implications of model errors on product design and user behavior.
Previous Experience at Adobe
Before joining Pryon, Sasha Spala worked at Adobe as a Machine Learning Engineer from 2017 to 2023. During her six years at the company, she contributed to various projects in Newton, Massachusetts. Her experience at Adobe included a role as a Software Engineering Intern for Machine Learning in 2017, where she gained foundational skills in machine learning applications.
Education and Expertise
Sasha Spala holds a Master of Science in Computational Linguistics from Brandeis University, where she studied from 2016 to 2018. Prior to that, she completed her Bachelor of Science in Computational Linguistics at the University of Southern California, with minors in Computer Science and East Asian Languages and Cultures from 2012 to 2016. She also studied Linguistics and Informatics at The University of Edinburgh in 2014.
Research and Teaching Experience
Sasha has a background in research and teaching. She worked as a Research Assistant at the USC Department of Linguistics from 2014 to 2016, where she engaged in various research projects. Additionally, she served as a Senior Teaching Assistant at Brandeis University from 2016 to 2017, supporting students in their learning of computational linguistics.
Personal Interests
In her leisure time, Sasha Spala enjoys sewing and quilting, reflecting her creative side. She also participates in triathlons, showcasing her commitment to fitness. Sasha is a pet owner, with two cats named Cranberry and Asparagus, which adds to her personal life outside of her professional endeavors.