Brian Plotnik

About Brian Plotnik

I’m a data-driven problem solver with a background quantitative trading, quantitative research, data science, and M&A advisory. At PwC, I advised on $75B+ in deal value, leveraging data to drive insights, automate reporting, and support decision-making at the executive level.Alongside my work in deals advisory, I’ve developed a strong interest in quantitative research and systematic trading. Drawing on my academic foundation in data science (MS, USC), I’ve independently built and backtested alpha-generating strategies—ranging from momentum to mean-reversion models—across equities and crypto. Throughout this work, I\'ve emphasized model robustness through out-of-sample testing, walk-forward analysis, and realistic transaction cost modeling. This work has deepened my skills in Python, machine learning, and statistical analysis, and sparked a passion for solving complex market problems through data.Core Skills: Quantitative Research • Systematic Trading • Alpha Signal Generation • Backtesting • Python • SQL • Alternative Data • Statistical Modeling • Out-of-Sample Testing • Walk-Forward Analysis • Portfolio Construction • Analytical Thinking • Data Visualization

Experience

1. Quantitative Trader

   Quantitative Strategies Group Llc

   Jul 2025 — Present

Education

• Northwestern University

  Business/Entrepreneurship

  2016 — 2016

• Cornell University

  Engineering

  2016 — 2016

• University of Southern California

  Master of Science - MS, Data Science

  2019 — 2021

• University of Southern California

  Bachelor of Science - BS, Industrial and Systems Engineering

  2017 — 2021