Eric Sivonxay is a Senior Machine Learning Research Scientist on the Research team, and in just over a year with Cognitiv, he has made significant contributions by exploring how data preparation and model architecture affect performance and business outcomes. 

Eric’s career path is anything but traditional, moving from inorganic chemistry and materials science into machine learning. He values autonomy and collaboration, focusing on connecting insights across projects to drive continuous improvement. His curiosity and commitment to building a company-wide knowledge base make him an important part of Cognitiv’s innovation.

1. Pronouns: He/Him
2. Role: Senior Machine Learning Research Scientist 
3. Team: Research
4. How Long Have You Been at Cognitiv: A year and 2 months

Inside The Office

What do you love most about your role?

I love the autonomy to follow my curiosities and delve into how Cognitiv’s engineering systems work. I enjoy exploring how data preparation and model architecture influence performance, and how that performance ties into real business outcomes. What excites me most is the opportunity to enhance models and transfer insights across tasks, helping build a company-wide knowledge base, connect the dots, and drive continuous improvement.

What is a memorable moment when you felt like your work really made an impact at Cognitiv?

My most memorable moment at Cognitiv is when I merged my first large pull request, which was a pivotal first step to modernizing the machine learning training infrastructure at Cognitiv. This was the first time I had worked on a collaborative effort on this scale. I worked closely with the team to understand their workflow, designed code to overcome hurdles, and incorporated feedback to refine the system.

If your career had a tagline, what would it be?

“Professionally curious, directionally fluid.”

The path that led me to Cognitiv has been anything but linear. I began my career in an inorganic chemistry lab, but as my interests evolved, I found myself crossing disciplinary boundaries. I merged my passion for materials science and computer science through simulations of battery materials, which eventually led me to the world of machine learning. I spent several years applying deep learning to solve novel scientific problems. Now at Cognitiv, I bring that experience into a new domain, applying cutting-edge ML techniques to a unique and complex problem space. The common thread throughout has been a deep curiosity and an openness to explore.

What advice would you give to someone joining #TeamCognitiv?

My biggest piece of advice would be not to overly focus on your individual project(s). Make time to learn about all the systems at Cognitiv and understand how your work fits into the big picture. That context will make your contributions more impactful.

Also, be proactive. Cognitiv is a startup! We don’t have dedicated teams for every issue that comes up. If something’s broken or unclear, don’t wait for someone else to fix it. Jump in, speak up, or take the lead on solving it.

Outside The Office

Is there a quote or piece of advice that has stuck with you throughout your career?

Early in my studies, when I was an intern, I was required to give an hour-long research presentation every three weeks. My research output at the time certainly didn’t warrant such frequent, lengthy presentations. The goal wasn’t to share the results, but rather to practice oral and visual communication. The advice from my advisor was something along the lines of: “What separates good researchers from great ones isn’t the importance of their field or their research volume. It’s their ability to communicate their findings clearly and convey the impact and implications to others.” While it was brutal to have colleagues meticulously dissect every slide I presented, this advice continues to resonate with me in my life.

What would you do if you won the lottery?

First, I’d adopt a pair of golden retrievers and buy a house with a backyard big enough for them to run free. Then I’d probably quit my day job and spend time travelling the world with friends and family.

But it wouldn’t be all play. I’d work on passion projects without worrying about profitability. I think much of how we think about innovation and success is chasing scale to build companies with massive growth potential or products that appeal to the broadest base. I’d use my newfound financial freedom to give back in a more personal way, tackling important problems that may impact only a small fraction of the population. I don’t need to change the whole world, I just want to make a meaningful difference for a few individuals.

If you were not in your current role, what would your dream job be?

I would open a dessert shop selling unique, mildly outlandish ice cream flavors. Have you ever had persimmon, maple syrup with candied bacon, or roasted barley tea ice cream? I’d love to spend my days experimenting with unexpected flavor combinations, creating desserts that surprise and delight people.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I enjoy spending time outdoors, especially hiking along nature trails and spotting birds. When I’m not outside, I’m often immersed in expansive board games that require hours of strategizing and cooperation. I also love tinkering with my 3D printer, designing bespoke items to solve everyday problems. Whether it's optimizing a tool or enhancing home organization, I find joy in turning ideas into physical solutions.

Rapid-Fire Questions

Coffee or tea? Tea! I gravitate towards loose-leaf teas, particularly roasted black teas. 

Morning person or night owl? Definitely a night owl. 

Favorite vacation spot? Depends on my mood and the time of the year, but my current favorite is southern France. I have fond memories of the time I drove through the French countryside in a convertible, kayaked through the Verdon Gorge, and ate delicious foods and pastries!

Favorite book or movie? Currently in a musical phase, and loved The Greatest Showman. 

Team Shoutouts

Team Shoutouts

"Eric’s contributions to the ML_research_science repo have significantly streamlined model training, enabling the entire team to build and experiment more efficiently. He is always available to share context and answer questions, helping to quickly unblock others. His proactive attitude and collaborative approach inspire the whole team to contribute more actively." — Deepak Gottapu, Senior Machine Learning Research Scientist

"Eric is a standout colleague who brings deep expertise as a Senior ML Research Scientist, especially in applying deep learning to the adtech space. He combines strong technical intuition with a team-first mindset, always thinking one step ahead and offering insights that elevate the whole team’s work. Beyond his technical contributions, Eric is kind, thoughtful, and always ready to lend support, an absolute pleasure to work with!" — Yihan Chen, Machine Learning Research Scientist