Meet this years DSDP cohort

My interest in data science began during my MSci in Physics and Astronomy at the University of Glasgow, where I used computational methods to study complex physical systems. I then returned to my hometown of Leeds to complete a PhD in geomagnetism, exploring how scientific computing and machine learning can be used to model and forecast changes in the Earth’s magnetic field.
During my PhD, I undertook a placement at the British Geological Survey, helping to develop a space weather forecasting method. It showed me how data science can contribute to work with a clear public benefit and encouraged me to look for opportunities beyond my research area. At LIDA, I am looking forward to applying my experience to a broader range of problems, working with people from different disciplines and learning from their approaches.
In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, as well as training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and kickboxing.

I'm Saurabh, and I'm delighted to be joining LIDA as a Data Scientist. I hold an MSc in Data Science from Aston University, and I've spent over three years working in machine learning, natural language processing and computer vision.

I enjoy turning messy, real-world data into practical solutions, whether that's extracting information from documents, analysing images or forecasting trends. I'm at my best when working closely with domain experts and explaining technical ideas in plain language.

At LIDA, I'm looking forward to collaborating with researchers, technicians and professional services colleagues across disciplines and centres, and to learning from all of you. Outside of work, you'll usually find me hiking and seeking out new adventures.

In 2020, I moved from sunny Cambodia to the less sunny UK and began my BSc in Biology at the University of York. Through various bioinformatics projects, I developed foundational quantitative and programming skills, along with a deep interest in data science that continued to grow throughout my Assistant Scientist role at Fera Science and beyond. I later pursued an MSc in Precision Medicine: Genomic Data Science at the University of Leeds, with my main project focusing on disease prediction using microbiome-based machine learning models.

LIDA’s Data Scientist Development Programme offers a fantastic opportunity to combine my enthusiasm for data science and eagerness to uncover real-world solutions to global health and climate challenges. On top of this, I am incredibly excited to meet and get to know my project team and colleagues, who I will undoubtedly have much to learn from.

I am a big crafter outside of work who loves to paint, crochet and scrapbook. When not at my desk, I enjoy immersing myself in different worlds through music and other forms of media. Most of all, I love meeting new people who I can discover new hobbies with!

My background is in geology, but it was growing up in Nigeria and navigating infrastructure gaps and the frustration of problems that never got solved that shaped how I think about data. I understood that the person behind the data matters just as much as the data itself. That responsibility, coupled with my love for people, drew me to data science as a way to pay it forward.

This led me to pursue an MSc in Geographical Information Science at the University of Manchester. There, I developed a fascination with computational geography and did work on propagating uncertainty through species distribution models. Additionally, a placement with Flooded People UK reinforced everything I believed about what data science could be when pointed at the right problems.

I'm drawn to LIDA because of everything it stands for and its commitment to data for public good. I can't wait to contribute to projects that make a tangible difference across communities and fields.

When I’m not working, I immerse myself in arts and crafts as self-care. I also recently took up gardening and have every intention of turning my home into a mini greenhouse one plant at a time.