Growing up among the sparkling lights and grand resorts of Las Vegas, Mana Azizsoltani developed an early connection to the city's hospitality and gaming industries. With a background in mathematics and statistics, he has built a career applying data science and artificial intelligence to practical challenges facing casino and hospitality organizations.

Mana serves as head of data science at Differential Labs, where he leads large-scale analytics and artificial intelligence projects for casino operators and technology suppliers. His work has taken him across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia and spans all facets of the casino business. Working at the intersection of academia and industry, he translates research into practical solutions while bringing real-world perspectives back into his research and teaching.

Mana is also a research scientist at UNLV's International Gaming Institute, where he applies AI and data science to hospitality and gaming contexts. His work has been published in respected academic and industry publications, and he has presented his research at conferences around the world.

At UNLV, Mana has taught undergraduate courses exploring culture and cuisine, including a study-abroad course in Spain. He has also taught graduate courses in applied statistics, helping students work with real-world data and communicate quantitative findings. Mana is passionate about working closely with students and creating learning experiences that extend beyond course content. Through teaching and mentorship, he seeks to build students' confidence, prepare them for meaningful careers, and inspire their personal and professional growth.

Mana is an avid FC Barcelona fan. After playing soccer his entire life and spending years living in Spain, he has not missed an FC Barcelona match in more than a decade. He also brought home an appreciation for making paella, a traditional Spanish dish that he enjoys sharing with friends on the weekends. Wherever his work or travels take him, he is also on a mission to find the best local specialty coffee shop—a pursuit that falls somewhere between passion, obsession, and necessity.