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Meet

our Mentors

Welcome to the heart of the DDSA Mentoring Programme – our dedicated mentors. As we prepare for the third edition of our programme, we invite you to meet the inspiring individuals guiding our mentees on their data science journeys. Our mentors come from diverse backgrounds, including students, data scientists, professors, and professionals, all united by their passion for fostering growth within Denmark’s data science community.

To make the most of our mentor profiles, use the search field to find specific skills such as ‘NLP’, ‘life science’, ‘teamwork’, and more. This feature allows you to connect with mentors who have the expertise you’re interested in, making it easier to navigate through our rich spectrum of knowledge and experience. Explore, learn, and connect with the future leaders of data science through the DDSA Mentoring Programme. 

Bence Bejczy

Position: ML Engineer at Novo Nordisk
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Hovedstaden

Background

I have a background centered around manufacturing, alternating between applied engineering research and scientific roles. Starting in robotics and automation, I transitioned to a data science masters with focus on computer vision and MLOps. Throughout my career, I’ve rotated through different R&D departments, which exposed me to a variety of projects ranging from academic to technical challenges including predictive maintenance, fine-grain image analysis, multi-task learning. Having recently transitioned to a role as an ML Engineer, I am now focusing on establishing robust MLOps practices to guide projects from concept to production maturity. My goal is to build infrastructure that streamlines the deployment process and enables us to transform successful machine learning PoC-s into tangible business impact.

Motivation

During my studies and worklife, I have been enjoying great guidance and insights from professors and industry mentors, which shaped my career direction significantly and let me meet a lot of great people. I think it is very relevant to create these relationship for growing one’s network, getting exposed to new topics or perspectives and to be able to pose questions to someone outside one’s peer group. I am still relatively early in my career with only 4 years of industry experience, which means that the experience of transitioning from studies to worklife is still fresh in my memory and I would be happy to pay forward all the guidance I got along the way!

Skills, expertise, and interests

    • machine learning
    • MLOps
    • software engineering
    • computer vision
    • cloud computing
    • end-to-end implementation
    • deep learning
    • data science
    • artificial intelligence
    • DevOps
    • engineering
    • pharmaceutics
    • code review
    • version control
    • problem solving

Bence Bejczy

ML Engineer at Novo Nordisk

Background I have a background centered around manufacturing, alternating between...

Chen Li

Position: Associate Professor, Department of Materials and Production, Aalborg University
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Nordjylland

Background

Chen Li primarily concentrates his research efforts on Data Analysis, Deep Learning, and Natural Language Processing. With extensive experience in Large Language Models, Time Series Analysis, and Multimodal, he possesses a profound understanding of cutting-edge neural network models, including Transformers such as GPT. Chen Li’s expertise in Deep Learning spans across various domains, encompassing both business and manufacturing applications, specifically in vision and language -assisted human-robot interaction, anomaly detection in production process, and multimodal sensor fusion.

Motivation

I would like to help mentees develop a solid foundation in data science by sharing practical insights from my experience across various domains and technologies. My goal is to guide them in navigating their career paths by offering advice on both technical skills and the problem-solving mindset essential for success in this rapidly evolving field.

Skills, expertise, and interests

  • artificial intelligence
  • natural language processing (NLP)
  • consulting
  • work-life balance

Chen Li

Associate Professor, Department of Materials and Production, Aalborg University

Background Chen Li primarily concentrates his research efforts on Data...

Benjamin Sanchez

Position: Senior research scientist, Novonesis
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Hovedstaden

Background 

I’m a computational biologist, passionate about understanding biology using math and computers. Currently I work in the food and biotech industries, using mathematical modeling, data science and genomics to better understand what bacteria do and how we can use them to develop safer, tastier and better products. I’m a big fan of using software development practices in the biotech sphere, and a true believer of the power of computers for standardizing the way in which we do science. I have a PhD in systems biology, and a master’s in biotechnology engineering. I have been for 4 years at Novonesis, and before that I did a postdoc at DTU. I am originally from Chile.

Motivation 

I would very much like to share the little knowledge I have accumulated after 12 years in my scientific journey. Anything from supporting aspiring data scientists, getting them to connect with potential career options within the biotech sector, or just passionately talking about the future of biotech.

Skills, expertise and interests 

  • data science
  • statistical and data modelling
  • big data
  • data analytics
  • statistics and mathematics
  • PhD advice
  • software project management
  • version control
  • code review
  • digitalisation
  • life science
  • engineering
  • bioinformatics
  • mathematical optimisation
  • academic writing skills
  • DevOps
  • time management
  • software engineering
  • data management
  • problem solving

Benjamin Sanchez

Senior research scientist, Novonesis

Background  I’m a computational biologist, passionate about understanding biology using...

Iannis Drakos

Position: Chief AI Officer - GENerX.life
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Hovedstaden

Background

Iannis is a Data Science professional with nearly two decades of experience driving digital transformation by leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Cloud solutions to revolutionize Research & Development in Life Sciences. He has successfully led AI integration efforts across pharmaceutical, biotech, and public institutions, adeptly navigating complex change management processes during periods of high uncertainty. Iannis has built multiple high-performing teams and programmes, operationalized data and analytics at scale, and delivered first-in-class AI products. His work consistently translates into improved patient outcomes and measurable business growth. Coming from academia, Iannis has developed deep expertise in the pharmaceutical industry, having served as Head of Data Engineering (Novo Nordisk), Head of Data Science (Lundbeck), member of EFPIA, EMA, and FDA working groups, and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) lead with Pfizer, J&J, Bayer, and AZ. Iannis’ work also includes collaborations with biotech companies (Illumina, Beckman Coulter, BD Biosciences) on software solutions, advancement of Data Science and AI in public institutions (the Danish National Vision for Personalized Medicine, European Society for Clinical Cell Analysis, Sorbonne University, University of Patras), and recognized contributions to open-source communities (EHDEN, OHDSI, i2b2–tranSMART, FHIR, OBO). In his current role as Chief AI Officer at GENerX.life, Iannis continues to provide strategic advisory to pharmaceutical, biotech, and public organizations on data, AI, and digital transformation initiatives, gaining unique insights from Europe, the USA, and Asia. Iannis holds a PhD in Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and has more than 20 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters.

Motivation

The Danish Data Science Academy is one of the networks that makes Denmark, and Data Science in Denmark, unique. DDSA brings together academia, the public sector, industry, and individuals to exchange ideas, share knowledge, discuss trends, and collaboratively shape the future of Data Science. Participating in DDSA activities is both rewarding and enjoyable.

Skills, expertise, and interests

    • forming sustainable habits
    • entrepreneurship and startups
    • digitalisation
    • life science
    • bioinformatics
    • academic writing skills
    • end-to-end implementation
    • mental health and well-being
    • teamwork
    • health and medical science
    • strategy
    • high-performance computing
    • computational science
    • leadership
    • cloud computing
    • project management
    • PhD advice
    • data management
    • big data
    • MLOps
    • artificial intelligence
    • deep learning
    • machine learning
    • data science

Iannis Drakos

Chief AI Officer - GENerX.life

Background Iannis is a Data Science professional with nearly two...

Subham Sahoo

Position: Assistant Professor, Aalborg University
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Nordjylland

Background

I am an assistant professor in energy with a profound commitment to addressing climate change through the lens of AI. With extensive experience at prestigious institutions like IIT, NUS, MIT, and University of Edinburgh, my research focuses on developing energy-efficient algorithms to meet the soaring computing demands of our energy systems, while also exploring the transformative potential of neuromorphic computing in enhancing the security and reliability of critical infrastructure. Passionate about education and innovation, my vision is to drive sustainable solutions with significant contribution to science for a greener future.

Motivation

Excited to embark on mentoring in neuromorphic computing. It’s a cutting-edge field pushing the boundaries of conventional computing. With its potential to revolutionize AI and computing, raising awareness and providing training is crucial. Joining as a mentor allows me to share insights, nurture young talent, and contribute to shaping the future of computing architecture in Denmark.

Skills, expertise, and interests

  • machine learning
  • deep learning
  • artificial intelligence
  • computational science
  • end-to-end implementation
  • digitalisation
  • neuromorphic computing

Subham Sahoo

Assistant Professor, Aalborg University

Background I am an assistant professor in energy with a...

Thoranna Bender

Position: Data Scientist at Todai, Technical Advisor at Hello Ada
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Hovedstaden, Region Sjælland

Background

I have a BSc in Software Engineering and a MSc in Human-Centered AI. I have worked as a data scientist and consultant at Todai since graduating in the beginning of 2024. A few months ago I also became the technical advisor for Hello Ada, a Danish startup building a learning platform for kids powered by AI. Additionally, I worked as a student research engineer on the AI team at Uizard (now acquired by Miro), and collaborated with the Pioneer Centre of AI and Vivino on a multimodal project that created a flavor space for wine, resulting in a public dataset and a NeurIPS paper.

Motivation 

I want to support aspiring data scientists from diverse backgrounds and specifically those that might be underrepresented in the field thrive within the data science community in Denmark. My goal is to help remove obstacles and create more opportunities for underrepresented groups to succeed in Danish data science roles.

Skills, expertise, and interests 

    • data science
    • machine learning
    • deep learning
    • artificial intelligence
    • natural language processing (NLP)
    • problem solving
    • computer vision
    • software engineering
    • consulting
    • social (data) science
    • image analysis
    • image processing

Thoranna Bender

Data Scientist at Todai, Technical Advisor at Hello Ada

Background I have a BSc in Software Engineering and a...

Shan He

Position: Postdoctoral Researcher, Aalborg University
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Nordjylland

Background 

Shan He (Senior Member, IEEE) received the B.S. degree in electrical engineering from Northeast Electric Power University, Jilin, China, in 2015, the M.S. degree from Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China, in 2018, and the Ph.D. degree from Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark, in 2022, all in electric engineering. In 2021, he was a visiting researcher at the Institute for Power Generation and Storage Systems, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany. From 2022 to 2023, he was a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Department of Energy, Aalborg University. From 2023 to 2024, he held a postdoctoral position at the Chair of Power Electronics, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany. He is currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at Aalborg University. His research interests include modeling and control of power electronic converters, power electronics-based power systems, battery management, and data-driven modeling, control, and condition monitoring in these areas. Dr. He serves as an Associate Editor for the Q1 journal Protection and Control of Modern Power Systems, and as a Guest Associate Editor for the Q1 journal IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics. He has published more than 60 peer-reviewed papers and received 4 conference awards.

Shan He

Postdoctoral Researcher, Aalborg University

Background  Shan He (Senior Member, IEEE) received the B.S. degree...

Palak Priya

Position: Senior Consultant with Fractal Analytics
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Hovedstaden

Background 

I have over 10 years of experience in advanced data analytics, specializing in transforming complex data into meaningful business insights. My academic background includes a master’s degree in finance and a bachelor’s in computer science, which helps me bridge analytical depth with business impact. Professionally, I’ve worked across industries like FMCG, consulting, and AI/ML solutions with organizations such as Fractal Analytics, Colgate Palmolive, and Genpact. I’ve led projects on predictive modeling, marketing mix modeling, and data-driven strategy, often collaborating with global cross-functional teams. I’m passionate about empowering others in the data space—especially women in tech—and would be glad to support mentees navigating careers in analytics, cloud data solutions, or transitioning into tech.

Palak Priya

Senior Consultant with Fractal Analytics

Background  I have over 10 years of experience in advanced...

Daniel Michelsanti

Position: Data scientist at Novo Nordisk
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Hovedstaden

Background

I have a PhD in electrical and electronic engineering, obtained at Aalborg University, where I worked within the Centre for Acoustic Signal Processing Research (CASPR). During my PhD, I successfully collaborated with academic and industrial partners, specifically with Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Spain), Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia (Italy), Oticon (Denmark) and Tencent AI Lab (USA). My dissertation focused on deep-learning-based audio-visual speech enhancement and it was the basis of my postdoctoral research, which I carried on at Oticon and Aalborg University, with the purpose of investigating cutting-edge technologies for multimodal hearing assistive devices. Currently, I am using my skills and expertise within the field of medical image analysis at Novo Nordisk, aiming at helping people with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, obesity and haemophilia.

Motivation

I firmly believe in the power of mentorship and the transformative impact it can have. I am excited to contribute my knowledge, skills, and expertise to support and guide aspiring data scientists on their journey towards success. One of the key reasons why I am passionate about mentoring is the opportunity to make a positive difference in someone’s life. Mentoring provides a unique platform for me to give back to the community and help others overcome challenges, discover their strengths, and achieve their goals. Moreover, being a mentor is also an avenue for personal growth and development: mentoring allows me to enhance my leadership/communication skills and expand my professional network.

Skills, expertise, and interests

    • data science
    • machine learning
    • deep learning
    • artificial intelligence
    • data analytics
    • PhD advice
    • computer vision
    • image analysis
    • image processing
    • speech processing
    • pharmaceutics
    • audio processing

Daniel Michelsanti

Data scientist at Novo Nordisk

Background I have a PhD in electrical and electronic engineering,...

Davide Mottin

Position: Associate Professor, Aarhus University
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Midtjylland

Background

I am an Associate Professor with interests spanning databases and systems to machine learning. I specialize in networks and graph analysis and enjoy the rich complexity of network data as a mean to represent relationships. Originally from Italy, I have moved to Germany, and then Denmark. I enjoy collaborative work, challenging problems, and puzzles. In my research I focus on all aspects of information from the management of data on storage, to extracting new insights. I am passionate about eduction and training students and I enjoy discussions with them.

Motivation

I enjoy spending time with students and hope to pass on what I’ve learned—however modest—throughout my journey to future generations. I find data science especially exciting, as it bridges rigorous mathematical foundations with real-world applications. As a mentor, I also see opportunities to grow personally and to engage in conversations about the broader challenges life presents, exploring possible solutions together. I strongly believe that education and knowledge are the pillars of a thriving society—but these cannot be separated from personal development and well-being.

Skills, expertise, and interests

  • data science
  • machine learning
  • deep learning
  • artificial intelligence
  • data analytics
  • career planning or change
  • big data
  • data management
  • PhD advice
  • data mining
  • project management
  • leadership
  • time management
  • mental health and well-being
  • academic writing skills
  • code review
  • work-life balance

Davide Mottin

Associate Professor, Aarhus University

Background I am an Associate Professor with interests spanning databases...

Martin Jørgensen

Position: Numerical Specialist, Ørsted A/S
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Hovedstaden

Background 

I am a newly hired Numerical Specialist at Ørsted, trying to use my expertise in machine learning and statistics to innovate in the green transision. I was before a postdoctoral researcher and lecturer at the University of Helsinki working on sample-effiencient Bayesian inference with Luigi Acerbi. Prior to that, I was a postdoc at the University of Oxford and a Junior Research Fellow at Linacre College. There I worked with Michael Osborne’s Bayesian Exploration Lab. I obtained my PhD degree under Søren Hauberg’s supervision at the Technical University of Denmark. My thesis is available here. For all publications please visit my Google Scholar and for short news you can follow me on Twitter. Research Interests Gaussian Processes, Scalable Bayesian Inference, Bayesian Quadrature and Optimisation, Sample-efficienct methods, Probabilistic Numerics.

Motivation 

I hope to find collaborators that can see themselves working with energy data and innovating in the green transisition with a data-first mindset. I have significant experience supervising and teaching from the academic world, and wish to keep close ties with this world.

Skills, expertise and interests 

  • data science
  • machine learning
  • artificial intelligence
  • data analytics
  • statistical and data modelling
  • statistics and mathematics
  • time series analysis
  • mathematical optimisation
  • environmental sciences & sustainability

Martin Jørgensen

Numerical Specialist, Ørsted A/S

Background  I am a newly hired Numerical Specialist at Ørsted,...

Elena Dudukina

Position: Senior Epidemiologist, Novo Nordisk A/S
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Hovedstaden

Background

I hold an MD degree from my country of birth (Russia), MSc in biomedical sciences degree from Radboud University (Nijmegen, Netherlands), and a PhD degree from Aarhus University (Denmark). During my academic years (PhD + postdoc), I worked on the medication and vaccination safety research and on pregnancy outcomes among others with the focus on causal inference and causal modeling. Later I transitioned into Data Analytics Centre of the Danish Medicines Agency, where I worked on COVID-19 vaccination safety and rare adverse events. In my current role as a Senior Epidemiologist at Novo Nordisk, I work on the intersection of data science, regulatory science, and lead projects in real-world evidence research in rare blood disorders. My expertise also covers project management and multi-faceted discussions with multiple stakeholders.
Motivation 
I believe in the power of collaboration and engagement with mentees is one of the most rewarding.
Skills, interests & expterise 
  • data science
  • artificial intelligence
  • statistical and data modelling
  • career planning or change
  • big data
  • data visualisation
  • problem solving
  • PhD advice
  • causality and explainability
  • time series analysis
  • time management
  • pharmaceutics
  • regulatory-grade real-world evidence (pharma)

Elena Dudukina

Senior Epidemiologist, Novo Nordisk A/S

Background I hold an MD degree from my country of...

Patrick Munk

Position: Associate Professor at Technical University of Denmark
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Hovedstaden

Background 

I am a microbiologist who has worked extensively with genomics, bioinformatics and data science in my research career. Currently I am an associate professor at The Technical University of Denmark, where I have course responsibility in a MSc applied metagenomics course. In my research, I aim to build the tools and conduct the analysis needed to understand the epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes as they spread throughout genomes, ecosystems and hosts in time and space. Currently I hold an NNF Data Science Emerging Investigator grant and lead a NordForsk network of researchers across 6 Nordic universities. Additionally, I represent the National Food Institute in the Danish AMR alliance, which includes academia, industry, patient organizations, authorities and other stakeholders. In addition to my research and teaching activities, I work a lot with science dissemination and lead communication projects supported by “Sundhedsdonationer” and the Carlsberg Foundation. I write popular science articles, and make videos and other products with relevant influencers and professionals. I also currently chair the science communication committee in the Young Academy of Denmark.

Patrick Munk

Associate Professor at Technical University of Denmark

Background  I am a microbiologist who has worked extensively with...

Daniel Yoo

Position: Postdoctoral researcher, Technical University of Denmark
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Hovedstaden, Region Sjælland

Background

As a globally experienced Mathematics and Biostatistics professional, I bring a unique perspective to my work in Data Science and Machine Learning, with a focus on addressing challenges in public health, with a growing interest in sustainability, climate change, and sustainable food systems. My educational journey took me from the University of Alberta to Université Paris-Saclay, and I defended my PhD at Université Paris Cité. Throughout my career, I have developed a strong command of R for data analysis and machine learning and Python for deep learning, continually updating my skillset through MOOCs and earning various Specializations and Professional Certificates in Data Science, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, MLOps, TinyML, GAN, and more. With three first-author publications in The Lancet Public Health, Nature Medicine, and Nature Communications, I strive to make meaningful contributions to a multidisciplinary field of study with data science and artificial intelligence.

Motivation 

Born in South Korea, I have gained valuable experience studying and working across South Korea, Canada, the United States, France, and Denmark. I like the idea of growing together and I belive that participating in this mentorship program would help expand my network in Denmark.

Skills, expertise, and interests 

    • data science
    • machine learning
    • deep learning
    • artificial intelligence
    • MLOps
    • data visualisation
    • career planning or change
    • problem solving
    • PhD advice
    • work-life balance
    • time management
    • data analytics
    • health and medical science
    • mental health and well-being
    • environmental sciences & sustainability
    • academic writing skills
    • complexity science

Daniel Yoo

Postdoctoral researcher, Technical University of Denmark

Background As a globally experienced Mathematics and Biostatistics professional, I...

John Shorter

Position: Assistant Professor in Biomedical Data Science, Roskilde University
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Sjælland

Background

In 2019, I moved to Denmark as a postdoc to research the genetic factors responsible for brain disorders using the large publicly available biobanks and registers. In 2022, I joined Roskilde University as an assistant professor. My research interests focus on using genetic, bioinformatic, and epidemiological tools to better understand neurological and and endocrine disorders. I am also interested in personalized medicine and genetic prediction of diseases.

Motivation

As a first-generation college graduate, my initial years in college were quite challenging. Fortunately, I had the privilege of being mentored by a professor whose lab I joined for a research project. Her exceptional guidance introduced me to the world of scientific research and PhD programs. Inspired by her support, I am passionate about helping students navigate the research community, just as I was supported during my journey as a young scientist.

Skills, expertise, and interests

    • data science
    • data visualisation
    • big data
    • PhD advice
    • health and medical science
    • bioinformatics

John Shorter

Assistant Professor in Biomedical Data Science, Roskilde University

Background In 2019, I moved to Denmark as a postdoc...

Federica Belmonte

Position: Lead Data Scientist
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Hovedstaden

Background 

I hold an MSc from Italy and PhD from Denmark, both in Statistics, and have applied my expertise across diverse fields, from financial instruments and sensory data to real-world evidence in the more recent years. My career spans academia, NGOs, consulting, and both public and private sectors. I’ve lived and worked in multiple countries, including Italy, Germany and Denmark, gaining cultural and professional awareness. Now based in Copenhagen with my husband, two kids, and a cat, I balance full-time work and family life while navigating the challenges and opportunities of being an international professional.
  • career planning or change
  • PhD advice
  • consulting
  • project management
  • leadership
  • work-life balance
  • time management
  • strategy

Federica Belmonte

Lead Data Scientist

Background  I hold an MSc from Italy and PhD from...

Jens Ulrik Hansen

Position: Associate Professor, Roskilde University
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Hovedstaden, Region Sjælland

Background

Originally trained in mathematics and philosophy, I initially did PhD and postdoc within logic/good-old-fashion-AI, but then left academia to become a data scientist in industry. After 4 years in industry, I returned to academia as assistant professor at Roskilde University. In addition to projects applying data and machine learning to various applied problems, I am also doing research on ethical and societal aspect of data science and AI, as well as philosophy of science aspects of data science and AI. Finally, I am also interested in social network analysis and information dynamics on social media, such as polarization and echo chambers.

Motivation

I hope to support young aspiring data scientists especially in their choice between academia and industry, as I have tried both. Moreover, I hope to expand my network within data science in Denmark across academia and industry.

Skills, expertise, and interests

      • data science
      • machine learning
      • artificial intelligence
      • deep learning
      • data analytics
      • statistical and data modelling
      • career planning or change
      • data visualisation
      • problem solving
      • statistics and mathematics
      • PhD advice
      • causality and explainability
      • social (data) science
      • teamwork
      • end-to-end implementation
      • network science
      • complex systems and chaos
      • complexity science
      • digitalisation

Jens Ulrik Hansen

Associate Professor, Roskilde University

Background Originally trained in mathematics and philosophy, I initially did...

Mehdi Parviz

Position: Postdoc
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Hovedstaden

Background

I hold a PhD focused on applying machine learning in the medical field and am currently involved in multidisciplinary projects at the intersection of deep learning and biology. I also bring several years of experience as a data scientist, having worked across a range of industries including telecommunications, IT, and neuroscience.

Mehdi Parviz

Postdoc

Background I hold a PhD focused on applying machine learning...

Paraskevas Pegios

Position: PhD Student, DTU Compute
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Hovedstaden

Background

Paraskevas is a final-year PhD candidate at the Technical University of Denmark and the Pioneer Center for AI, specializing in Generative and Explainable AI. He has a background in applied mathematics and computer science, and his research spans machine learning, computer vision, and multimodal models, focused on building trustworthy, responsible AI systems. He has contributed to both methodological and applied research projects in interdisciplinary areas such as medical imaging and food science, with results featured at leading AI conferences and in high-impact journals.
Paraskevas’s work experience in sectors such as remote sensing, aerospace, and the pharmaceutical industry has provided him with valuable opportunities to collaborate with cross-disciplinary, high-performing teams on real-world, data-driven applications. His goal is to develop AI solutions that connect cutting-edge research with practical impact.

Motivation 

Paraskevas is eager to support early-career data scientists and young AI researchers. Having relocated to Denmark and worked in both academia and industry, he understands the challenges of adapting to a new culture and navigating career decisions. As a mentor, he hopes to share practical advice on AI research, career development, and settling into life in Denmark — especially for international students. Above all, he aims to help students build confidence, set ambitious goals, and thrive in the field of AI and data science.

Skills, expertise and interests 

  • data science
  • machine learning
  • deep learning
  • artificial intelligence
  • data analytics
  • statistical and data modelling
  • MLOps
  • PhD advice
  • causality and explainability
  • computer vision
  • work-life balance
  • academic writing skills
  • big data
  • data visualisation
  • mental health and well-being
  • data mining
  • career planning or change
  • problem solving
  • leadership
  • time management
  • image analysis
  • image processing
  • engineering

Paraskevas Pegios

PhD Student, DTU Compute

Background Paraskevas is a final-year PhD candidate at the Technical...

Lotte Ansgaard Thomsen

Position: Associate Professor, AAU
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Nordjylland

Background

I have an academic background in data analysis from CERN and Yale. I spent a period in the private sector, working in the AI Solutions department at Grundfos. I currently conduct research in AI and sustainability, and I’m passionate about applying my data expertise to drive positive impact.

Motivation

Given the rapid pace of data science, it’s crucial to uphold ethical principles. I’d be thrilled to contribute to shaping a new generation of data professionals who understand the importance of these values

Skills, expertise and interests

  • data science
  • machine learning
  • artificial intelligence
  • data analytics
  • big data
  • data management
  • PhD advice
  • digitalisation
  • environmental sciences & sustainability

Lotte Ansgaard Thomsen

Associate Professor, AAU

Background I have an academic background in data analysis from...

Nicholas Clark

Position: Founder & CTO
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Hovedstaden

Background

Experienced analytics leader with a broad profile. Chartered Financial Analyst with additional post-graduate degrees in Bioinformatics and Economics. Avid reader and believer in the value of strong processes and continued education. Strong inter-personal and collaboration skills, extensive stakeholder management experience as well as a glass-half full attitude. 10+ years of professional experience with quantitative methods and data science, including 3+ years of data science leadership experience with HR responsibility.

Motivation

This will be my 8th year mentoring and the 5th under the DDSA Mentoring Programme. I would like to continue to help others benefit from my learnings (successes as well as failures), such that others won’t have to reinvent the wheel. I will guide you to examine the assumptions underlying your approach to life and career. Good questions can carry you far, and more often than not you will find that others have been in your place many times before. Together we will identify what is important for you and jointly explore the best ways for you to find the optimal solution(s).

Skills, expertise, and interests

    • machine learning
    • deep learning
    • data science
    • artificial intelligence
    • data analytics
    • career planning or change
    • data visualisation
    • leadership
    • time management
    • economics, finance, and business
    • bioinformatics

Nicholas Clark

Founder & CTO

Background Experienced analytics leader with a broad profile. Chartered Financial...

Daniele Dell’Aglio

Position: Associate professor (lektor) at Aalborg University
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Nordjylland

Background

My main research interest lies in the management of graph data, including data analytics, learning and data privacy. I am interested in studying new methods and algorithms, as well as developing system prototypes and proof of concepts. On the teaching side, I am involved in the Data Science and Machine Learning education at Aalborg University, where I teach Data Privacy and Graph Analytics and Learning, and I supervise semester projects. I hold a PhD in Information Technology from Politecnico di Milano. Before joining Aalborg University, I was a postdoc at the University of Zurich, and a research fellow at the University of Aberdeen. During my PhD, I also spent a summer at IBM Research Ireland as a research intern and a trimester at WU Vienna as a visiting student. Before getting enrolled in the PhD program, I worked for a few years as a consultant and researcher at CEFRIEL, a digital innovation centre in Milano.

Motivation

Throughout my career, I have met various mentors that have guided me and contributed to letting me achieve my objectives. I feel extremely lucky for these opportunities. Following my mentors example, I aim to help young and aspiring data scientists pursue their goals. I am interested in discussing various aspects of the data scientist career, including career planning and PhD life.

Skills, expertise, and interests

    • data science
    • machine learning
    • deep learning
    • artificial intelligence
    • data analytics
    • career planning or change
    • big data
    • data management
    • PhD advice
    • project management
    • time management
    • academic writing skills
    • forming sustainable habits
    • bioinformatics
    • mental health and well-being

Daniele Dell’Aglio

Associate professor (lektor) at Aalborg University

Background My main research interest lies in the management of...

Behnaz Dibayee

Position: Data Scientist at Nilfisk
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Hovedstaden

Background 

With an MSc in Electrical Engineering, I’ve been working in data science for over 5 years. I’m a strong advocate for learning by doing, which is why I often take on projects that push me outside my comfort zone and help me grow. Currently, I focus on IoT data, applying machine learning and AI algorithms to solve real customer challenges at Nilfisk. In previous roles, I’ve had the opportunity to work across various industries, tackling data-related problems such as online business analytics, time series forecasting, Gen AI , image processing and deep learning.

Motivation 

This is a great way to support the growth of aspiring data scientists while also expanding my professional network. I enjoy sharing my experiences and learning from the insights of others not only about the technical stuff but also the soft skills.

Skills, expertise and interests 

  • data science
  • machine learning
  • deep learning
  • artificial intelligence
  • data analytics
  • statistical and data modelling
  • career planning or change
  • problem solving
  • time series analysis
  • mental health and well-being

Behnaz Dibayee

Data Scientist at Nilfisk

Background  With an MSc in Electrical Engineering, I’ve been working...

Gregers Kjerulf Dubrow

Position: Freelance Data Analyst
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Hovedstaden

Background

I have more than 15 years in data analysis/data science in a university administration setting following graduate training to the PhD level in the social sciences with a focus on education policy with a specific focus in educational access and outcomes. My main areas of focus and strength are in data sourcing, exploratory data analysis, data visualization, and predictive modeling. At UC Berkeley I worked in the Undergraduate Admissions office and at the Haas School of Business. I have also led data teams. I mainly use r for all stages of data work, but have used Excel, SAS and SQL. Starting to get acquainted with dbt and the basics of data engineering.

Motivation

With more than 15 years as a professional data analyst/data scientist and educator I believe I can be a good source of information for newer professionals, and to return the mentorship I received early in my career. I also hope to hone my mentoring skills and expand my network in Denmark, having moved back to Copenhagen in December 2022. At the moment I am a freelance analyst and searching for full-time work. I have been keeping busy with personal data projects, and gave a talk at a recent CopehagenR users group.

Skills, expertise, and interests

  • data science
  • data analytics
  • statistical and data modelling
  • career planning or change
  • data visualisation
  • statistics and mathematics
  • data management
  • time series analysis
  • consulting
  • PhD advice
  • social (data) science
  • leadership
  • work-life balance
  • academic writing skills

Gregers Kjerulf Dubrow

Freelance Data Analyst

Background I have more than 15 years in data analysis/data...

Marjan Mansourvar

Position: Assistant Professor, DTU
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Sjælland

Background

I earned my Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Malaya in 2014 and subsequently embarked on a professional journey that led me to Denmark in 2015. Before joining the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), I gained valuable experience in healthcare informatics at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU). My expertise spans across various domains including data analytics, data visualization, software technologies, and social network analysis, with a primary focus on data-driven health technology. Since joining DTU in April 2022, I have shifted my focus to bioengineering. My research at DTU Bioengineering revolves around life science automation and digitalization, where I leverage data science and artificial intelligence to drive advancements in biology and biotechnology. Specifically, I am dedicated to enhancing bioengineering processes through synergistic approaches with data science, digitalization, and automation.

Motivation

As a seasoned data scientist, my motivation for joining the DDSA Mentoring Programme stems from a deep-seated commitment to fostering the growth and development of aspiring data scientists. By participating in this program, I aim to provide guidance, support, and practical insights to the next generation of data scientists, helping them navigate the complexities of the industry and accelerate their learning curve.Beyond individual growth, I’m also excited about the opportunity to contribute to the broader data science community and cultivate a culture of collaboration and knowledge-sharing.

Skills, expertise, and interests

  • data science
  • machine learning
  • deep learning
  • artificial intelligence
  • data analytics
  • big data
  • data visualisation
  • data management
  • data mining
  • computer vision
  • image analysis
  • bioinformatics

Marjan Mansourvar

Assistant Professor, DTU

Background I earned my Ph.D. in Computer Science from the...

Xin Sui

Position: Assistant Professor, Aalborg University
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Nordjylland

Background

Xin Sui received the M.Sc. degree in from Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China, in 2018 in electrical engineering. In 2022, she received the Ph.D. degree in machine learning for battery state of health estimation from Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark. She was a visiting researcher with the Department of Electrical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, in 2023, and with the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK, in 2024. She is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Energy, Aalborg University, Denmark. Her research expertise lies in smart battery management, covering 1) Lithium-ion battery modeling; 2) Battery diagnostics and prognostics including state estimation, health assessment, and lifetime prediction; 3) Advanced battery management techniques, including pulse charging strategies, and balancing; 4) Feature engineering, machine learning, and AI application in battery system; 5) Smart battery technology.

Motivation

My motivation stems from both a sense of responsibility and a passion for supporting early-stage researchers. Having faced the challenges of initiating research topic myself, I understand how difficult it can be for young data scientists to find a clear direction amidst concerns about innovation, and time management, etc. Over the past few years, I have had the opportunity to supervise both PhD and Master’s students and observed that many have strong capabilities, but often struggle to identify the key focus of their work. I believe my experience can guide them more efficiently toward impactful outcomes. I also see this as a mutually beneficial opportunity. Mentoring helps me improve my own leadership and pedagogical skills through reflection and feedback. Moreover, I believe that collaboration often sparks creativity and fresh perspective. I hope to engage in meaningful discussions that could lead to new research ideas. I am excited about the potential of building a supportive, collaborative environment where knowledge flows both ways and new insights emerge naturally.

Skills, expertise, and interests

    • data science
    • machine learning
    • deep learning
    • data analytics
    • statistical and data modelling
    • PhD advice
    • time series analysis
    • data mining
    • digitalisation

Xin Sui

Assistant Professor, Aalborg University

Background Xin Sui received the M.Sc. degree in from Chinese...

Neelu Madan

Position: Postdoctoral Researcher, Aalborg University
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Nordjylland

Background

I am a Postdoctoral Researcher at Aalborg University, specializing in computer vision and deep learning. My primary research focuses on self-supervised representation learning as a means to address the limitations of label-intensive methods. Motivated by the time demands and potential biases of manual annotation, I explore techniques for learning robust visual representations — from appearance-based features to structured, object-centric scene decomposition models. I have been working with applications such as anomaly detection, object tracking, and video object segmentation, particularly in domains such as visual surveillance and fashion video analysis. I hold a PhD from Aalborg University, where my dissertation was recognized with the Outstanding Thesis of the Year Award (Spar Nord Research Prize).

Motivation

I am excited to join the mentoring programme as a mentor to support and inspire the next generation of data scientists and AI researchers. Having navigated the challenges of academia and research, I understand the value of guidance and community. I hope to share my experience in computer vision, self-supervised learning, and foundation models to help mentees grow. Mentoring is also a chance for me to reflect, improve my communication skills, and expand my professional network through meaningful connections.

Skills, expertise, and interests

  • deep learning
  • machine learning
  • artificial intelligence
  • PhD advice
  • computer vision
  • image analysis

Neelu Madan

Postdoctoral Researcher, Aalborg University

Background I am a Postdoctoral Researcher at Aalborg University, specializing...

Anastassia Vybornova

Position: Postdoc, University of Copenhagen, IT University of Copenhagen
Categories: Mentors
Location: Abroad, Region Hovedstaden

Background

I’m currently a Postdoc at the University of Copenhagen, working on several interdisciplinary projects in the field of geospatial data science and computational social science, with a focus on sustainable transportation and spatial inequalities. I have a background in Technical Physics, Transcultural Communication, and Environmental Science; and a PhD in Urban Data Science, completed at the IT University of Copenhagen in the NERDS group (NEtworks, Data, and Society). Before focusing on my academic career, I’ve worked in many different places (administration, consulting, tourism, education…). I’m also quite active in several NGOs and grassroots organisations, leaning very much to the left. I am also the Chair of the Danish Data Science Academy’s YAP (Young Academy Panel). My current technical focus is all things geospatial data science, in the Python universe.

Motivation

I find it important to offer to others what I would have wished for my younger self: advice, support, cheering on & encouragement, or just a shoulder to (figuratively) cry on about how complicated things can get out there. I’ve participated in several mentoring programmes (both as mentee and as mentor) and I’m passionate about how powerful the outcomes can be, for both sides. I’ve learned to understand and present my rather unconventional (one might say too patchy?) curriculum as a big strength, and would like to share encouragement (and self-marketing hacks) with others who are in similar situations of still looking for the right way forward. Last but not least – I think that I can learn a lot from my mentee(s) and about their life & education situations.

Skills, expertise, and interests

    • data science
    • career planning or change
    • PhD advice
    • project management
    • leadership
    • social (data) science
    • teamwork
    • mental health and well-being
    • environmental sciences & sustainability
    • academic writing skills
    • network science
    • complex systems and chaos
    • complexity science
    • sustainable transportation
    • urban planning
    • geospatial data science
    • transcultural communication
    • forming sustainable habits
    • DEI

Anastassia Vybornova

Postdoc, University of Copenhagen, IT University of Copenhagen

Background I’m currently a Postdoc at the University of Copenhagen,...

Andreas Trier Poulsen

Position: Lead data scientist, Novo Nordisk
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Hovedstaden

Background

Andreas has 10+ years experience researching and working with AI & data in academia, as a specialist in the biomedical industry and as a consultant. Andreas has a MSc in biomedical engineering and holds a PhD in machine learning and cognitive neuroscience.

Motivation

I’ve been fortunate to have been given some great advice and support from competent people in my career in AI and data. I see the DDSA mentorship program as a good opportunity for me to pay some of it forward.

Skills, expertise, and interests

    • data science
    • machine learning
    • deep learning
    • artificial intelligence
    • data analytics
    • statistical and data modelling
    • MLOps
    • career planning or change
    • big data
    • data visualisation
    • natural language processing (NLP)
    • problem solving
    • statistics and mathematics
    • data management
    • causality and explainability
    • time series analysis
    • PhD advice
    • consulting
    • project management
    • cloud computing
    • computational science
    • work-life balance
    • time management
    • social (data) science
    • health and medical science
    • mental health and well-being
    • end-to-end implementation
    • engineering
    • life science
    • forming sustainable habits

Andreas Trier Poulsen

Lead data scientist, Novo Nordisk

Background Andreas has 10+ years experience researching and working with...

Sara Behnamian

Position: Postdoctoral Researcher at the Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Hovedstaden

Background 

I am a mathematician and computational biologist with a PhD in Mathematics (2019), currently working as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Copenhagen. My research bridges mathematics, machine learning, and evolutionary genomics, with a focus on ancient DNA (aDNA) and environmental DNA (eDNA). I have several years of international postdoctoral experience, including at Lund University in Sweden, where I worked on bioinformatics and ancient genomics. My expertise includes statistical modeling, image processing, and the development of machine learning methods for complex biological data. I am especially passionate about interdisciplinary research and mentoring early-career scientists, particularly those navigating cross-disciplinary paths.

Sara Behnamian

Postdoctoral Researcher at the Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen

Background  I am a mathematician and computational biologist with a...

Sylvain Estebe

Position: Research Assistant, Center for Humanities Computing, Aarhus University
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Midtjylland

Background 

Background: I have a diverse academic and professional background, combining cognitive science, data science, and art. My expertise includes cognitive modeling, bayesian inference, and machine learning. Academically, I’ve pursued a master’s degree focusing on predictive modeling of user behavior, particularly in churn prediction within the telecom industry. Professionally, I’ve gained experience through research internships (University of Oslo), industry collaborations (Norlys), and software development projects. I have also participated in international programs like Neuromatch Deep Learning and Computational Psychiatry.

Sylvain Estebe

Research Assistant, Center for Humanities Computing, Aarhus University

Background  Background: I have a diverse academic and professional background,...

Roland Nagy

Position: Data Scientist - Mosaic
Categories: Mentors
Location: Abroad

Background 

I have a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in engineering. I am currently in the final stages of my PhD, of which topic is related to Data Science, and besides this, I am working as a data scientist at an international company. I have experience in R&D projects and also in the private sector, mainly with end-to-end development tasks, data analysis, and machine learning projects. According to my studies, I have some experience with physical sensors and measurements.

Roland Nagy

Data Scientist - Mosaic

Background  I have a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in...

Suman Sourav

Position: Assistant Professor, Aalborg University (Copenhagen Campus)
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Hovedstaden

Background 

I am an Assistant Professor at Aalborg University, Denmark (Copenhagen Campus). I earned my Ph.D. from the National University of Singapore, where I also received the Research Achievement Award. Before moving to Denmark, I was a Senior Research Fellow at the Singapore University of Technology and Design. I also worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the Illinois Advanced Research Centre, Singapore. My research explores the intersection of theory and application, focusing on algorithmic aspects of real-world systems, including theoretical bounds, deployable protocols for dynamic environments, secure communication networks, and scalable cyber-physical systems. My current interests include graph communication algorithms as well as data science-based solutions for satellite networks, edge-cloud networks, etc.

Suman Sourav

Assistant Professor, Aalborg University (Copenhagen Campus)

Background  I am an Assistant Professor at Aalborg University, Denmark...

Maria Andrakakou

Position: Solution architect, Ørsted
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Hovedstaden

Background

After completing my studies in Geoinformatics at Aalborg University in Copenhagen, I gained experience as a GIS/IT consultant, where I worked on satellite image processing, scripting, and full-stack development using technologies such as Python, C#, Java, and Angular. I later transitioned into a backend development role, where I became involved with Building Information Modeling (BIM) and developed solutions for data management through both scripting and low-code platforms. Currently, I’m working as a Solutions Architect in the IT department at Ørsted.

Motivation

I’m passionate about sharing knowledge and supporting individuals who are looking to build a career in IT. Starting out in this field can feel overwhelming—there’s so much to learn, and it’s hard to know where to begin. I’ve been fortunate to have great mentors who helped guide me early on, and that support made a huge difference in shaping my path. Now, I’m eager to pay it forward by helping others navigate their own journeys, sharing the insights and experiences I’ve gained along the way.

Skills, expertise, and interests

  • data science
  • data analytics
  • big data
  • software engineering
  • project management
  • consulting
  • leadership
  • work-life balance
  • business innovation
  • strategy
  • digitalisation
  • software project management
  • version control
  • geospatial data science
  • cloud computing
  • data visualisation
  • data management

Maria Andrakakou

Solution architect, Ørsted

Background After completing my studies in Geoinformatics at Aalborg University...

Vera Patricio

Position: Senior Data Scientist, Halfspace
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Hovedstaden, Region Sjælland

Background 

I studied Physics for my Bachelor and Master Degree and proceeded to do a PhD in Observational Astrophysics. After doing a postdoc at KU, I decided to make a career transition to Data Science and the private sector. I’ve been a data scientist for a few years now, working as a consultant in the last two, implementing technical solutions and managing takeholder engagement. On the technical side, I would put myself in the ‘classical machine learning’ field: random forests, parametric models, and sprinkle of statistics are what excite me!

Motivation 

I had a couple of informal mentors during my career, and they really helped me understand my own preferences and strengths better, so I would love to be able to give back and have that kind of discussion with a mentee. And it is also a great opportunity to expand my data science network in Denmark!

Skills, expertise, and interests

      • data science
      • machine learning
      • data analytics
      • statistical and data modelling
      • MLOps
      • career planning or change
      • problem solving
      • statistics and mathematics
      • consulting
      • project management
      • work-life balance
      • data visualisation
      • teamwork
      • mental health and well-being

Vera Patricio

Senior Data Scientist, Halfspace

Background  I studied Physics for my Bachelor and Master Degree...

Fariba Ahmadizar

Position: Assistant professor of Molecular Epidemiology, University Medical Center Utrecht
Categories: Mentors
Location: Abroad

Background

Dr. Fariba Ahmadizar is an epidemiologist with a strong background in genetic and molecular (pharmaco)epidemiology. She holds a PhD in Epidemiology and a Master’s in Pharmacoepidemiology. Her research focuses on Multi-Omics studies (including cardiometabolic disorders, mainly diabetes), interaction between genetic and environmental factors and the effectiveness and safety of medications, with an interest in prediction algorithms. She has published over 100 papers in leading journals. Dr. Ahmadizar has also applied advanced methodologies, including Mendelian Randomization, and is an expert in meta-analysis. With a proven track record in mentoring, she has supervised more than 10 PhD students and more than 25 master’s, bachelor’s, and intern students. Her in-depth research expertise and dedication to student development make her an excellent mentor for those seeking to advance their knowledge and skills in the epidemiology of chronic disorders and public health

Motivation 

My motivation for joining the mentoring program stems from a commitment to supporting the next generation of data scientists and researchers. I am passionate about sharing my knowledge in epidemiology and public health to help young and aspiring scientists navigate their academic and professional paths. Mentoring also provides an opportunity for personal growth through learning from fresh perspectives and staying connected to emerging trends. Additionally, I see this program as an excellent platform for shaping future leaders in data science and research.

Skills, expertise, and interests 

  • data science
  • machine learning
  • data analytics
  • health and medical science
  • life science

Fariba Ahmadizar

Assistant professor of Molecular Epidemiology, University Medical Center Utrecht

Background Dr. Fariba Ahmadizar is an epidemiologist with a strong...

Lishuai Jing

Position: Founder of C7 intelligence
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Hovedstaden, Region Sjælland

Background

I’m passionate about the power of data science and AI to solve real-world challenges, and I’m equally passionate about helping aspiring professionals navigate this exciting and complex field. My journey has taken me through diverse roles – from deep technical application to strategic leadership – and I’m eager to share the lessons learned along the way. While I’ve recently founded my own venture, C7intelligence, focused on accelerating business value through data and AI, my primary goal here is to connect with and support emerging talent.

Motivation

My diverse background, spanning strategic leadership, AI architecture, hands-on ML/DL/RL application, generative AI, IoT, and team building, provides a broad perspective. I believe I can help you by: Bridging Theory and Practice: Sharing insights on how theoretical concepts translate into real-world projects and business impact. Navigating Career Paths: Discussing the different roles within data science (technical specialist, architect, strategist, leader) and how to develop the necessary skills. Tackling Complex Problems: Offering frameworks and perspectives for breaking down challenging technical or strategic issues. Understanding Industry Applications: Providing context on how AI/ML is used across different sectors (like smart home tech and industrial applications). Developing Strategic Thinking: Helping you see the bigger picture beyond the code or algorithm. Fostering a Growth Mindset: Encouraging continuous learning and adaptability in this rapidly evolving field.

Skills, expertise, and interests

    • data science
    • machine learning
    • deep learning
    • artificial intelligence
    • data analytics
    • statistical and data modelling
    • MLOps
    • career planning or change
    • big data
    • data visualisation
    • natural language processing (NLP)
    • problem solving
    • statistics and mathematics
    • data management
    • PhD advice
    • causality and explainability
    • time series analysis
    • data mining
    • computer vision
    • software engineering
    • consulting
    • project management
    • cloud computing
    • social (data) science
    • leadership
    • work-life balance
    • time management
    • image analysis
    • high-performance computing
    • business innovation
    • economics, finance, and business
    • text analysis
    • strategy
    • teamwork
    • DevOps
    • image processing
    • end-to-end implementation
    • health and medical science
    • mathematical optimisation
    • environmental sciences & sustainability
    • speech processing
    • academic writing skills
    • engineering
    • network science
    • digitalisation
    • code review
    • version control
    • freelancing
    • software project management

Lishuai Jing

Founder of C7 intelligence

Background I’m passionate about the power of data science and...

Juan Rodriguez

Position: Assistant professor, Aalborg University
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Nordjylland

Background

Juan Manuel Rodriguez is an Assistant Professor at Aalborg University. He earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science from Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires in 2012. His research focuses on applied machine learning, deep learning, including multi-modal data. Notable publications include studies on applied image, and text analysis, and recommender systems. He is also an NVIDIA DLI Certified Instructor and University Ambassador.

Motivation

​As a mentor, I aim to enhance collaboration between academia and the private sector by guiding mentees in applying data science and machine learning techniques to real-world challenges. This engagement is intended to foster complex partnerships and drive applied research initiatives that benefit both industry and academia.

Skills, expertise, and interests

    • data science
    • machine learning
    • deep learning
    • artificial intelligence
    • PhD advice
    • software engineering
    • image analysis
    • natural language processing (NLP)

Juan Rodriguez

Assistant professor, Aalborg University

Background Juan Manuel Rodriguez is an Assistant Professor at Aalborg...

Alvin Andrian

Position: Senior AI Engineer at Novo Nordisk Global Data & AI
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Hovedstaden

Background 

AI engineer currently working in the forefront of AI implementation in one of the largest pharma company in the world. I have a non-linear data scientist background (not CS or math related major) and breakthrough the career path of data scientists since 2019. Have been working with many types of projects from large scale data analysis for e-commerce company, building first-ever churn model for a fitness company, building the infrastructure backbone for AI application in it’s infancy, building foundation for MLOps in image analysis, and now focusing on building scalable RAG.

Alvin Andrian

Senior AI Engineer at Novo Nordisk Global Data & AI

Background  AI engineer currently working in the forefront of AI...

Ramtin Zargari Marandi

Position: MLOps Engineer at Scalepoint, Research Affiliate at Pioneer Centre for AI
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Hovedstaden

Background

Ramtin is a senior research engineer and data scientist with a multidisciplinary background in biomedical engineering, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. He holds a PhD in Biomedical Science and Engineering from Aalborg University and has over a decade of experience spanning academia, industry, and clinical research. His recent work focuses on AI applications in healthcare, with emphasis on explainable and trustworthy machine learning for clinical decision support. He has developed open-source tools such as the Medical AI Toolbox and the ExplaineR R package, and has contributed to research on precision medicine, biomedical signal processing, and healthcare technologies. He has collaborated with medical doctors, data scientists, and engineers in both academic and industry settings and has mentored students and professionals from various disciplines.

Motivation

Through this mentoring program, He hopes to raise awareness within AI communities about real-world challenges and promote discussions around best practices. By sharing insights from applied research, he aims to help the next generation of data scientists recognize often-overlooked issues in AI development and implementation, encouraging responsible and impactful solutions.

Skills, Expertise, and Interests

    • data science
    • machine learning
    • deep learning
    • artificial intelligence
    • MLOps
    • statistics and mathematics
    • PhD advice
    • causality and explainability
    • bioinformatics
    • engineering
    • digitalisation
    • computational science
    • cloud computing
    • statistical and data modelling

Ramtin Zargari Marandi

MLOps Engineer at Scalepoint, Research Affiliate at Pioneer Centre for AI

Background Ramtin is a senior research engineer and data scientist...

Malte Petry

Position: Data Scientist at Novo Nordisk
Categories: Mentors
Location: Region Hovedstaden

Background 

I am currently working as a Data Scientist at Novo Nordisk. I mainly work on a computer vision project, but I am also involved in the validation and regulation of Data Science projects in pharma. Prior to this, I did the Data Science track of the Novo Nordisk Graduate Programme, which gave me the chance to rotate through three different departments across various areas of the business. My academic background is a bit mixed: my bachelor’s is in Business Administration with a focus on Finance. After a few internships in that field, I realized that the analytical and technical aspects of the work were what interested me most, which led me to switch to Data Science for my master’s.

Malte Petry

Data Scientist at Novo Nordisk

Background  I am currently working as a Data Scientist at...