About Avyaya Jha Research & Projects

Avyaya Jha is a rising senior at Brookline High School in Massachusetts. He is interested in applying data science to public policy and small-business challenges. He founded BrooklineBusiness.com Inc. to provide data-driven research and individualized support to local businesses.

His work includes independent research on small-business technology adoption, data science coursework at Stanford Summer Session, participation in a national high school research program, and leadership in a student data science and investing organization.

This page highlights selected research, data science projects, writing, leadership, and community-based work.

Small-Business Technology Adoption Research

This independent research project examines why adopting digital tools does not always lead to improved performance for small businesses.

The project combines a review of approximately 24 academic studies with a case study of nine businesses in Brookline, Massachusetts. The research focuses on how rising costs, limited resources, organizational readiness, and access to support affect the use of data tools, artificial intelligence, and other digital technologies.

The case study found that most participating businesses responded to rising costs through immediate operational changes, such as raising prices, changing suppliers, or reducing hours. Far fewer businesses reported using data or artificial intelligence tools, suggesting that technology adoption often depends on more than simply having access to software.

Project components:

Systematic review of approximately 24 academic studies
Interviews and survey responses from nine Brookline businesses
Analysis of business responses to rising costs
Examination of barriers to digital technology adoption
Original figures and data visualizations
Recommendations for practical small-business support

Publication status: Manuscript submitted to Scholarly Review Journal and currently under review.

Brookline Small-Business Case Study

As part of the research project, local businesses were asked about the challenges they face, the changes they have made in response to rising costs, and their use of data or artificial intelligence tools.

The purpose of the case study was not to generalize to all businesses, but to better understand the experiences of businesses within the Brookline community.

Selected Findings

Seven of nine businesses reported making operational changes because of rising costs or supply issues.
Common responses included raising prices, changing suppliers, reducing hours, and adopting new software.
Only two of nine businesses reported currently using artificial intelligence or data-analysis tools.
Several businesses expressed interest in additional support, including workshops, software guidance, and funding opportunities.

BrooklineBusiness.com Community Research

BrooklineBusiness.com Inc. provides individualized research and data support to small businesses. Projects are designed around the specific questions and challenges raised by participating business owners.

Examples of support may include:

Research on customer trends
Review of industry and market information
Analysis of policy or regulatory changes
Identification of relevant digital tools
Customized data summaries
Connections to local resources and organizations

Research findings have also been presented to the Brookline Chamber board to share insights about the challenges facing local businesses.

Data Science Research Program

Diamond Price Analysis

Through The Coding School’s National High School Research Program, Avyaya analyzed more than 50,000 diamond records using Python.

The project examined how characteristics such as carat, cut, color, and clarity relate to diamond prices. Statistical analysis and visualizations were used to examine relationships among variables and to evaluate which characteristics were most strongly associated with price.

Skills used:

Python
Pandas
Data cleaning
Exploratory data analysis
Correlation analysis
Data visualization
Statistical modeling

[View the GitHub project]
[View the research presentation]

Stanford Data Science Coursework

During Stanford Summer Session, Avyaya completed college-level coursework in Principles of Data Science and Introduction to Applied Statistics.

The coursework included projects and assignments involving:

Python and R
Data cleaning and manipulation
Data visualization
Regression analysis
Statistical inference
Residual analysis
Conditional distributions
Grouped data analysis
Interpretation of real-world datasets

Selected coursework and projects may be added to this page after review.

View selected coursework:

Principles of Data Science DATASCI112

Introduction to Applied Statistics STATS191

Insight Innovators

Avyaya co-founded Insight Innovators, a student organization focused on data science, investing, and public policy.

The club grew from approximately 10 to 50 students and has introduced members to topics including stock-market research, portfolio simulations, data analysis, and the role of public policy in economic decision-making.

Activities have included:

Student-led market research
Managed a $600 student investment portfolio

Discussions about data science and policy
Guest speakers
Collaborative projects
Community-focused research ideas

[View Club Instagram]

Writing and Commentary

Avyaya also writes about data science, business, public policy, and community issues through My Journey Through Data.

Topics include:

How data can support small-business decisions
Lessons from data science research
Reflections on TED Talks and public lectures
Technology adoption and artificial intelligence
The relationship between policy and local business conditions

[Read the blog]

Presentations

Selected presentations include:

Research findings presented to the Brookline Chamber board
Diamond data science research presentation
Small-business technology adoption research
Student presentations through Insight Innovators

Presentation materials may be added as they become available.