About
our Organization
Bruin Algorithmic Traders is a student-led organization at UCLA dedicated to exploring algorithmic trading and quantitative finance. Our mission is to empower students with the skills and knowledge to develop data-driven trading strategies through hands-on projects, workshops, and collaborative learning. We aim to bridge the gap between theory and real-world application, providing members with opportunities to build and backtest trading algorithms, understand market dynamics, and connect with industry professionals.
Meet our Board of Directors
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Founder and President
From a young age, I have been fascinated by complex problems and outside-the-box thinking. This interest served as a catalyst for my love of Mathematics and Statistics—the study of certainty and uncertainty, respectively. I am currently studying Pure Mathematics and Statistics & Data Science at UCLA.
Applying this philosophy to finance has been a uniquely rewarding endeavor in a profession that is both quantifiable and tangible. Since discovering quantitative finance, I have immersed myself in the field to learn as much as possible. Through internships, research, and developing my own models, I have only grown more eager to explore further and help others along the way.
Outside of academics, I enjoy traveling, rock climbing, discovering new cuisines, and cultivating bonsai trees.
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Director of Research
I am a student of Physics and Applied Math seeking a postgraduate position in computational physics or mathematics, with the goal of pursuing a career in corporate quantitative research. Born and raised in Singapore, I have been conducting research in physics and computational mathematics since my freshman year. I am interested in the application and statistical analysis of physical methods for quantitative development in network analysis, manifold learning, and modeling with applications to various problems in machine learning, finance, medical technologies and engineering.
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Director of Operations and Communications
Hi! My name is Jared, and I’m a Physics major at UCLA focusing on modern mechanics and technologies, aiming to break into technology development and quantitative finance. Through rigorous coursework and hands-on projects, I’ve built a solid foundation in data analysis, simulation, and experimental methods. I’m especially interested in leveraging computational and statistical techniques to tackle real-world challenges at the intersection of finance and technology.
Outside the classroom, I stay energized by rock climbing, painting, playing music, hiking, and sailing.
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Director of Portfolio Management
Hi, I’m Ryan Ma. I’m interested in quantitative trading and am involved in Bruin Quant Traders and Bruin Value Investing. I enjoy learning about markets, strategy, and data-driven decision making, and I hope to pursue a career in quantitative trading in the future. Outside of academics and finance, I enjoy poker, volleyball, and golf, and I’m always drawn to competitive environments that involve both strategy and skill.
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Director of Recruitment
I’m Amelie Pagona, a Mathematics of Computation student with a strong interest in the intersection of mathematics, finance, and computer science. I’m especially fascinated by quantitative finance and hope to pursue a career as a quant, using mathematical modeling, statistics, and programming to solve complex financial problems. Beyond finance, I’m also deeply interested in science and biotechnology, particularly how computational methods can drive innovation in these fields. Outside of academics, I enjoy English fiction writing, which has helped me develop creativity and communication skills alongside my analytical background.
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Director of Engineering
Hi, I’m Ehban, a sophomore studying Math of Computation at UCLA. I’m interested in AI, algorithms, and quantitative finance, and I enjoy working on projects that sit at the intersection of math and code. Outside of school, you’ll find me bouldering, playing pool, or reading poker theory.
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Hi, I’m Kaveh. I’m a transfer student from Irvine Valley College and an incoming Quantitative Analyst Intern at PNC Bank. I’m interested in finance, data-driven decision making, and markets, especially prediction markets. Outside of school and work, I enjoy billiards, MMA, and exploring new ways to think about strategy and competition.
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Director of Professional Development
I’m an upcoming third-year Math of Computation major at UCLA. I’m also a National Master in chess and recently hit Ascendant in Valorant. I’m interested in strategy, problem-solving, and competitive environments, both academically and outside the classroom.
Upcoming events
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Club Fair
9.23.25 12:00-2:00PM
Stop by our table at the Enormous Activities Fair in Royce Quad. Meet our team, learn about our projects, and explore upcoming events.
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Information Session
10.1.25 6:00-7:00PM
Learn how we use algorithms and data-driven strategies in trading. Learn more about what we’re working on and how you can get involved.
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Application Submission Deadline
10.7.25 11:59PM
You can complete application on the form found in the link below. Those moved on will be contacted to schedule interviews. Late submissions will not be considered.
Where We Go
Where We Go
Stay Connected
Contact Us
Feel free to reach out with any questions, collaboration ideas, or to learn more about joining our team. Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly.
FAQs
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At BAT, we welcome students from all backgrounds—no extensive experience required. That said, a foundation in coding, math, or financial markets can help you hit the ground running. As a technically driven organization, we value intellectual curiosity and a strong desire to learn. Our workshops and resources are designed to support you every step of the way, and we’re excited to work with members who are eager to grow and get involved from day on
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BAT is open to students of all majors, though we’re especially interested in those studying Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science Engineering, or Economics—particularly when paired with technical experience. You don’t need to be an expert, but you should be comfortable with quantitative thinking. Our teams span research, strategy, and engineering, so there are many ways to contribute. For those interested in development roles, especially first-year applicants, we typically look for strong programming skills and a background in CS. That said, several of our other teams welcome students without extensive coding experience and value diverse academic perspectives.
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At BAT, members collaborate to design and build a fully functional trading algorithm from the ground up. This includes researching and testing strategies, developing execution logic, writing production-level code, and analyzing performance using both real and simulated data. Multiple teams contribute to different aspects of the pipeline—from idea generation and modeling to deployment and portfolio management. Our long-term goal is to run a live algorithm on our own fund, with profits reinvested into professional development, enrichment activities, and socials. Along the way, members gain not only technical experience, but also the professional skills that open doors across finance, tech, and beyond.