Javier Cerezo Lafuente

Javier Cerezo is currently Associate Director of Data Science in Novartis. He leads a team of data scientists at the Digital Finance Hub, where he develops predictive machine learning products for financial forecasting in a cloud infrastructure — developing in Python and using MLOps technologies such as Sagemaker, Snowflake, Databricks, EKS, and others. 

Javier is also a part-time adjunct Professor of Machine Learning and Economic Modelling at IE University. His expertise is the application of machine learning and data science techniques to financial and strategy problems in the business environment.

His background is as an aerospace engineer; he started his career at Airbus in flight physics, aeroelasticity and structural analysis. After five years he decided to start an executive career and learn about Finance and Economics, so he pursued an MBA at the University of Chicago.

Before joining Novartis he worked as an Associate in McKinsey, where he engaged in strategy and operations projects in Latin America, and as a Senior Product Manager in Amazon.

Javier is also alumni of Mensa, Beta Gamma Sigma, and the Rafael del Pino Foundation.

Corporate Experience

• Associate Director of Data Science, NOVARTIS, Spain, 2021 - Present

• Senior Product Manager, Consumer Electronics, AMAZON, Spain, 2020 - 2021

• Associate, MCKINSEY & COMPANY Colombia and México, 2018 - 2020

• Summer Associate, H.I.G. CAPITAL PARTNERS (global private equity firm with over €30 billion under management) Madrid, Spain, 2018

• Senior Engineer, Flight Physics, Airbus Operations GmbH Hamburg, Germany, 2013 - 2016

• Engineer, Structural Dynamics and Aeroelasticity, Airbus Defense and Space S.A. Madrid, Spain, 2010 - 2013

Academic Experience

• Adjunct Professor of Programming 0, I and II, IE University, Spain, 2021 - Present 

• Adjunct Professor of Economic Modelling, IE University, Spain, 2021 - Present 

• Adjunct Professor of Foundations of Machine Learning and AI, IE University, Spain, 2022 - Present

Academic Background

• Master of Business Administration, Concentrations in Finance and Economics, THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO BOOTH SCHOOL OF BUSINESS Chicago, IL, 2016 - 2018

• Bachelor and Masters of Aerospace Engineering; concentration in Aircraft and Space Vehicles, TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF MADRID (UPM) Madrid, Spain, 2004 - 2010