Michael Gauci BSc (Hons) Chemistry, MSc Metamaterials
A computational chemist with a
data-driven mindset
and a strong background in
quantitative finance.
Scroll down to learn his story
2018 Developing core competencies in computational modelling For his final year dissertation on the topic of patterned defects in graphene, Michael applied molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, a technique known for providing more accurate sampling than Monte Carlo which fails to adhere to the physical properties of the chemical system. Due to the high computational demand required for this study, Michael was granted access to the university's high-performance computing facility, where he gained proficiency in the Linux command line.
2019 Wearing the entrepreneurial hat Michael's involvement in a green tech startup, which he himself founded, was defined by long working hours spent alongside his team of software developers and regular meetings with various stakeholders. This experience showcased his ability to thrive in a stressful environment and deepened his understanding of the critical role that leadership plays in a company's success, fostering his appreciation for the quantamental approach to investing later in his career.
2020 Navigating the lockdowns and machine learning Following his participation in a training program on the application of machine learning to gravitational wave research, Michael effectively used the time afforded by the Covid-19 lockdowns to further expand his knowledge in the domain of unsupervised learning. During this period, he developed a Python-based toolkit that combined the use of natural language processing and clustering techniques to aid in academic literature analysis.
2021 A Master's perspective into big data analytics Michael resumed his academic studies by pursuing a Master's program in which he examined novel forms of folded graphene from a theoretical perspective. The accompanying MD simulations yielded large volumes of data, compelling the use of Python to streamline the analysis process and advanced statistical techniques for their interpretation, while high-quality visuals were vital to clearly communicate the results of the study.
2022 Managing an investment portfolio in the cloud Motivated by his lifelong interest in geopolitics and economics, Michael explored ways in which he could apply his multidisciplinary expertise within the world of finance. Consequently, he embarked on a long-term project for the creation of software to facilitate the management of his personal investment portfolio across different equity markets. Owing to its high availability requirement, he leveraged his extensive knowledge of AWS to manage the service in the cloud.
2023 The self-study that inspired a book What initially began as supporting research for the technical aspect of his portfolio management system has since grown into a book about quantitative finance slated for publication in 2025. By planning to release the book under a public domain licence, he seeks to position it as a living document, receiving regular contributions from the wider quant community on the latest developments in the field.
2024 An open mind to new experiences Having never shied away from a challenge, Michael took it upon himself to design and build his own personal site, all while being away from his home country of Malta on a weeks-long trip across Europe in search of better opportunities. His travels have brought him into contact with a rich diversity of cultures, an experience he embraced with ease given his proficiency in multiple languages.
The author, drawing on his background in computational chemistry, provides aspiring quants with valuable insights into the interdisciplinary nature of quantitative finance, bridging the fields of mathematics, statistics, finance, and computer science. Structured in a way that allows readers to approach each chapter independently, the book covers a wide array of topics, from statistical modelling and regression to market microstructure and derivative pricing. Despite its rigor, it refrains from advocating specific trading strategies, choosing instead to empower readers with the knowledge and tools needed to develop their own.
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