Kelvakis
A Loyola alum finds purpose in data, food, and community
As an undergraduate in Loyola’s School of Environmental Sustainability (SES), Angelo Kelvakis enthusiastically sought out opportunities for hands-on learning. He got involved in the school’s Urban Agriculture program and participated in faculty-mentored research projects. His research experience sparked a passion for making sense of complex data, setting him on an unexpected career path. Today, he blends his interests in food systems and data analysis as a decision scientist at US Foods.
SES Alum Angelo Kelvakis enjoys the fact that his remote position as a decision scientist with US Foods allows him the flexibility to travel. He visited the Atlanta Botanic Gardens on a recent trip.
Kelvakis graduated from Loyola in 2018 with degrees in environmental science and environmental policy. Originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, he initially came to Loyola for its intimate music program. A jazz drummer in high school, he was excited about the opportunity to study with renowned jazz musicians. He eventually pivoted from music and considered a pre-med path before finding inspiration and purpose in environmental sustainability. His shift began with a visit to the SES building and its 3,100-square-foot greenhouse.
“I remember stepping into the greenhouse and being completely awestruck. That was a pivotal moment,” he said.
Kelvakis also appreciated the welcoming and encouraging SES faculty and staff. He credits Senior Sustainable Agriculture Manager Kevin Erickson and Associate Professor Ray Dybzinski, PhD, as major influences who shaped his academic experience. Under Erickson’s guidance, Kelvakis explored sustainable food production, while Dybzinski’s mentorship fostered his growing interest in research.
“One of the things that got me really interested in data analysis in general was being able to do research,” he said. “It exposed me to modeling and programming and working through numbers and data.”
Kelvakis worked with Dybzinski on a study of nitrogen uptake in plant communities and coauthored a paper published in the journal Global Change Biology—a rare accomplishment for an undergraduate researcher.
After graduation, Kelvakis’s urban agriculture experience helped him secure a job at Rise Gardens, a hydroponic gardening startup. He served as director of research and development, where he realized that data analysis was his favorite part of the job.
“I was running a lab by myself and realized I didn’t really love collecting data—but I loved analyzing it,” he said.
That insight led him to pursue a master’s in data science from DePaul University while continuing to work full-time. Eventually, he stepped away from his job to focus on completing his graduate degree and pursuing a role in data science.
He found his current position thanks to a connection with a fellow Loyola alum working at US Foods. In his new job, he has found a work-life balance that once felt impossible.
“I work fully remotely. I have unlimited PTO. I’m still working in the food space, just from a different angle.”
In his spare time, Kelvakis enjoys spending time with his girlfriend, Olivia. The two met in ecology class at Loyola and then worked together in the SES greenhouse.
As a decision scientist, Kelvakis works on the company’s e-commerce platform, using data to optimize customer experiences.
“If a small business buys hot dogs, and we know they’ll probably need fries, we build that recommendation into the system. It’s not glamorous, but it’s impactful in ways people don’t always see,” he says.
Kelvakis remains passionate about food systems, sustainability, and social equity—interests sparked during his time at SES.
“The concept of sustainability is something I think about every day—whether it’s in systems, relationships, or resource use. It’s one of the most broadly applicable and important ideas I’ve ever learned.”
He also remains actively engaged in his community.
“I’ve gotten involved in political action in Chicago, and I’ve found incredible inspiration through groups like Chi Hack Night, where people use data and tech to address public policy issues,” he says.
Reflecting on his time at Loyola, Kelvakis said that the most important part of his college experience was building relationships with faculty, staff, and fellow students. He encourages today’s students to take the initiative to connect with mentors and peers.
He urges students to go to professors’ office hours, meet with a campus career counselor, and make time to focus on relationships.
“There are just so many amazing people out there,” he said. “Don’t be afraid to make new friends and explore the world around you. If you can make some lifelong friends, you’re going to find happiness.”
Kelvakis said his SES experience also helped him realize the importance of community, particularly for those seeking to make a positive difference in the world.
“The most important thing I have learned is that if you really want to change something and be impactful, the first step is building community before anything else,” he said. “Everything that I find important has some connection to a community involved, and that's a pattern that you don't need a decision scientist to analyze for you.”
by Stephanie Folk
September 2025
Kelvakis graduated from Loyola in 2018 with degrees in environmental science and environmental policy. Originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, he initially came to Loyola for its intimate music program. A jazz drummer in high school, he was excited about the opportunity to study with renowned jazz musicians. He eventually pivoted from music and considered a pre-med path before finding inspiration and purpose in environmental sustainability. His shift began with a visit to the SES building and its 3,100-square-foot greenhouse.
“I remember stepping into the greenhouse and being completely awestruck. That was a pivotal moment,” he said.
Kelvakis also appreciated the welcoming and encouraging SES faculty and staff. He credits Senior Sustainable Agriculture Manager Kevin Erickson and Associate Professor Ray Dybzinski, PhD, as major influences who shaped his academic experience. Under Erickson’s guidance, Kelvakis explored sustainable food production, while Dybzinski’s mentorship fostered his growing interest in research.
“One of the things that got me really interested in data analysis in general was being able to do research,” he said. “It exposed me to modeling and programming and working through numbers and data.”
Kelvakis worked with Dybzinski on a study of nitrogen uptake in plant communities and coauthored a paper published in the journal Global Change Biology—a rare accomplishment for an undergraduate researcher.
After graduation, Kelvakis’s urban agriculture experience helped him secure a job at Rise Gardens, a hydroponic gardening startup. He served as director of research and development, where he realized that data analysis was his favorite part of the job.
“I was running a lab by myself and realized I didn’t really love collecting data—but I loved analyzing it,” he said.
That insight led him to pursue a master’s in data science from DePaul University while continuing to work full-time. Eventually, he stepped away from his job to focus on completing his graduate degree and pursuing a role in data science.
He found his current position thanks to a connection with a fellow Loyola alum working at US Foods. In his new job, he has found a work-life balance that once felt impossible.
“I work fully remotely. I have unlimited PTO. I’m still working in the food space, just from a different angle.”
As a decision scientist, Kelvakis works on the company’s e-commerce platform, using data to optimize customer experiences.
“If a small business buys hot dogs, and we know they’ll probably need fries, we build that recommendation into the system. It’s not glamorous, but it’s impactful in ways people don’t always see,” he says.
Kelvakis remains passionate about food systems, sustainability, and social equity—interests sparked during his time at SES.
“The concept of sustainability is something I think about every day—whether it’s in systems, relationships, or resource use. It’s one of the most broadly applicable and important ideas I’ve ever learned.”
He also remains actively engaged in his community.
“I’ve gotten involved in political action in Chicago, and I’ve found incredible inspiration through groups like Chi Hack Night, where people use data and tech to address public policy issues,” he says.
Reflecting on his time at Loyola, Kelvakis said that the most important part of his college experience was building relationships with faculty, staff, and fellow students. He encourages today’s students to take the initiative to connect with mentors and peers.
He urges students to go to professors’ office hours, meet with a campus career counselor, and make time to focus on relationships.
“There are just so many amazing people out there,” he said. “Don’t be afraid to make new friends and explore the world around you. If you can make some lifelong friends, you’re going to find happiness.”
Kelvakis said his SES experience also helped him realize the importance of community, particularly for those seeking to make a positive difference in the world.
“The most important thing I have learned is that if you really want to change something and be impactful, the first step is building community before anything else,” he said. “Everything that I find important has some connection to a community involved, and that's a pattern that you don't need a decision scientist to analyze for you.”
by Stephanie Folk
September 2025