Ross Mauck

Professional Biography 

Ross Mauck is an innovative data scientist whose passion for technology and animal welfare converges in a career dedicated to making significant impacts across related fields. Since joining JVR Shelter Strategies in early 2016, Ross has been instrumental in harnessing the power of data analytics and animal informatics to drive strategic decisions and enhance the welfare of animals through descriptive statistics and actionable insights.

With an eclectic background that spans from leading a high-school tech lab in San Francisco to developing cutting-edge solutions at startups, Ross has cultivated a unique skill set. His expertise in software and hardware integration, bolstered by machine learning, allows him to address complex challenges in animal welfare with effective, technology-driven solutions. His work at the San Francisco SPCA as a Data Consultant further exemplifies his ability to bridge the gap between intricate data analysis and practical, real-world applications, benefiting organizations within the animal welfare sector and beyond.

Ross’s journey into the realm of data science is built upon a solid foundation of academic and practical experiences. Having grown up on a remote biological research station in Nova Scotia, he developed a deep connection with animal data collection and applied statistics from a young age. This early exposure to field data collection of burrowing seabirds in the Bay of Fundy laid the groundwork for his future endeavors.

He pursued higher education at Kenyon College, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Physics, supplemented by a minor in Mathematics and a concentration in Scientific Computing. His academic career was marked by a focus on computationally intensive simulations, exploring the early universe’s expansion, showcasing his ability to apply complex computational methods to solve intricate problems.

Currently residing in Columbus, Ohio, Ross continues to be a vital force at JVR Shelter Strategies, where his blend of technical prowess, innovative thinking, and dedication to animal welfare propels the organization towards new heights of effectiveness and efficiency in its mission.

Cultural Biography

From a young age, I was surrounded by science and nature. Each summer, I lived at the Bowdoin College Scientific Station on Kent Island in the Bay of Fundy. The island had no running water and only limited solar-powered electricity. To take a hot shower, I had to haul water from the well and heat it in a basin. With only 8–15 people at the field station, and none close to my age, I learned early how to find fulfillment on my own.

When I wasn’t helping with research or community chores, I spent my time exploring the island and observing wildlife. I walked rocky beaches crowded with gulls and watched the full rearing process, from cracked egg to first flight. Dodging aerial “attacks” became part of daily life. While helping my father in the field, I reached into burrows to pull out incubating birds and recorded data as researchers banded and measured them. Those summers deepened my love for science, animals, and the natural world.

My childhood alternated between the Bay of Fundy and Ohio. Sports shaped much of my time in public school. I tried soccer, football, basketball, and water polo, but it wasn’t until I found lacrosse in middle school that something clicked. Even before I grew into my body, my coaches and teammates noticed my persistence and positivity. These experiences taught me the value of teamwork, resilience, and steady progress.

I was also fortunate to take part in Ohio’s early Project Lead the Way program, which offered college-level engineering courses in high school. That experience led me to study physics and play lacrosse at Kenyon College. After two years, I realized that succeeding in physics required my full focus, and I made the difficult decision to leave the team. Letting go of sports opened important doors. I attended an American Physics Society conference, where my professor invited me to join a cosmology research lab studying the early universe.

To support the team, I taught myself CUDA programming and helped run simulations of cosmic evolution. At a conference at MIT, I even fielded questions from Alan Guth, a leading authority on cosmic inflation. That moment pushed me toward a career focused on using computers to solve complex problems.

After graduating, I spent a winter traveling New Zealand, hiking and camping, before moving to California to put my physics and computing background to use. Along the way, I also taught math, physics, and computer science in San Francisco. Today, I continue to bridge my love for animals with my commitment to science and technology—bringing both passions into the work I do.