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DDSA Mentoring Programme

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.

 

Ledian Selimaj

Position: Chief Data Scientist
Categories: Computer Science, Engineering and Technical Science
Location: Region Hovedstaden

Background

After about 12 years in corporate setting environment working with software, data and algorithms, I am equipped with the necessary expereince to communicate and convery relevant real world industry challenges to students coming out of studies and how they can controbute and leave their mark in the challenges big companies face.

Motivation

Sharing experience and knowledge, getting acquainted with latest curriculum within data science from the universities, expanding network, potentially finding great candidates for collboration in projects, talk about potential data science projects, read thesis papers and more 🙂

Skills, expertise, and interests

  • data science
  • machine learning
  • deep learning
  • artificial intelligence
  • data analytics
  • big data
  • data visualisation
  • natural language processing (NLP)
  • leadership
  • work-life balance
  • text analysis
  • strategy
  • end-to-end implementation
  • digitalisation
  • freelancing

Ledian Selimaj

Chief Data Scientist

Background After about 12 years in corporate setting environment working...

Peter Mehler

Position: Data Scientist at Halfspace
Categories: Computer Science
Location: Region Sjælland

Background

I’ve had a special focus on social data science, and am now a data scientist and consultant working with information retrieval, a bit of NLP and demand forecasting. I have experience on the technical side and project management / client relations side.

Motivation

I had a great mentor in the same program who helped me a lot. I’d like to pass it on.

Skills, expertise, and interests

  • data science
  • machine learning
  • artificial intelligence
  • data analytics
  • consulting
  • project management
  • social (data) science
  • network science
  • sustainable transportation
  • geospatial data science

Peter Mehler

Data Scientist at Halfspace

Background I’ve had a special focus on social data science,...

Bence Bejczy

Position: Data Scientist at Novo Nordisk
Categories: Computer Science, Engineering and Technical Science
Location: Region Hovedstaden

Background

I have my bachelor’s degree in Robotics, from which I transitioned to Data Science during my masters, focusing on specifically computer vision and MLOps. I had to luck to work throughout my studies and rotate through three different R&D departments before landing my full-time position at Novo Nordisk, which allowed me to be exposed to a high variety of projects ranging from academic to technical. Some of the most recent ones were predictive maintenance, fine-grain image analysis, multi-task learning for mobile robotics and productionizing ML solutions within the highly restricted pharmaceutical industry.

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

  • data science
  • machine learning
  • deep learning
  • artificial intelligence
  • MLOps
  • computer vision
  • cloud computing
  • academic writing skills
  • code review
  • version control

Bence Bejczy

Data Scientist at Novo Nordisk

Background I have my bachelor’s degree in Robotics, from which...

Maria Andrakakou

Position: Solutions architect at Ørsted
Categories: Computer Science, Geoinformatics
Location: Region Hovedstaden

Background

After studying at geoinformatics at AAU of Copenhagen, I have been a GIS/IT consultant at Atkins where I learned scripting for satellite image processing, web development and software development in python, C#, Java and angular. Later, I joined Metroselskabet as a backend developer where I got involved with BIM and explored scripting and low-code development for data management. Soon I’m joining Ørsted as a solutions architect in the IT department.

Motivation

I’m keen on sharing knowledge and supporting individuals who want to have a career within IT. It can be very chaotic to try and find where to start from. Luckily I’ve had myself good mentoring that helped me find what I want to learn. Therefore I am open to helping others with what I’ve learned in this journey so far.

Skills, expertise, and interests

  • data visualisation
  • problem solving
  • data management
  • software engineering
  • project management
  • strategy
  • digitalisation
  • geospatial data science
  • code review
  • software project management
  • version control
  • big data

Maria Andrakakou

Solutions architect at Ørsted

Background After studying at geoinformatics at AAU of Copenhagen, I...

Vamsi Krishna Vedantam

Position: Lead Data Scientist, TDC Net
Categories: Engineering and Technical Science
Location: Region Hovedstaden

Background

I am a passionate Data Scientist with over 10 years of experience in building end-to-end Artificial Intelligence products in the Telecom, Healthcare, and Financial Services industries. With robust technical and leadership skills, I have applied AI to various business situations, helping organizations adopt data-driven solutions. Over the past decade, I have applied various machine learning methods such as classification, regression, time series analysis, and clustering, leveraging strong domain knowledge. I have deployed and maintained models in production on both Cloud and on-premise systems. I have collaborated with product managers, stakeholders, and business owners to effectively implement AI products across business units. I have worked with structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data, including near real-time and batch processing of data. I have also mentored Data Scientists and Machine Learning Engineers and helped them in their careers.

Motivation

As a seasoned Data Scientist, my motivation for joining the mentoring program stems from my desire to give back to the data science community, my thirst for continuous learning, and my enthusiasm for connecting with professionals from diverse backgrounds. I am deeply passionate about supporting young and aspiring data scientists. I believe that the field of data science is vast and constantly evolving, making it challenging for newcomers to navigate. By sharing my experiences and insights, I hope to provide guidance and support to those who are just embarking on their journey in this field. While I aim to impart knowledge, I also look forward to learning from the fresh perspectives and innovative ideas that mentees often bring to the table. This continuous learning process is what keeps me motivated and helps me stay abreast of the latest trends and technologies in data science. I am excited about the potential impact I can make and eagerly look forward to the journey ahead.

Skills, expertise, and interests

  • data science
  • machine learning
  • deep learning
  • artificial intelligence
  • statistical and data modelling
  • data analytics
  • MLOps
  • big data
  • data visualisation
  • natural language processing (NLP)
  • problem solving
  • statistics and mathematics
  • data management
  • causality and explainability
  • time series analysis
  • data mining
  • computer vision
  • cloud computing
  • leadership
  • high-performance computing
  • engineering
  • version control

Vamsi Krishna Vedantam

Lead Data Scientist, TDC Net

Background I am a passionate Data Scientist with over 10...

Lishuai Jing

Position: Chief data scientist/VP at Ønskeskyen
Categories: Engineering and Technical Science
Location: Region Hovedstaden, Region Sjælland

Background

As the Chief Data Scientist and VP at Ønskeskyen, I spearhead the organization’s data and AI strategy, fostering innovation and driving adoption across all departments. With a robust background from VELUX, where I led data science and AI for smart home technologies, and extensive experience at GRUNDFOS in machine learning and AI solutions for industrial applications, my expertise spans data architecture, generative AI, and IoT systems. I am passionate about leveraging data to solve critical business problems and unlock new opportunities.

Motivation

Currently, as the Chief Data Scientist and VP at Ønskeskyen, I drive the organization’s data and AI strategy, fostering innovation and cross-functional collaboration. My role involves not only strategic oversight but also hands-on leadership in developing our data and AI talent pool. I am passionate about guiding teams to leverage data-driven insights and advanced AI techniques to solve critical business challenges and unlock new opportunities. Previously, as the Lead Specialist in Data Science at VELUX, I spearheaded the development of smart home technologies, integrating AI solutions to enhance living environments. My experience at VELUX involved leading agile data engineering, AI architecture, and DevOps capabilities, with a focus on generative AI and IoT systems. This role required me to build scalable data foundations, develop data governance frameworks, and innovate with algorithms for smart appliances, all while fostering a collaborative and innovative team culture. My tenure at GRUNDFOS further solidified my expertise, where I applied advanced machine learning, deep learning, and reinforcement learning techniques to solve industrial problems across sales, marketing, supply chain, and intelligent water solutions. This role allowed me to dive deep into business intelligence, recommendation systems, and demand forecasting, providing me with a comprehensive understanding of the practical applications of AI in various business domains. Throughout my career, I have been driven by a commitment to continuous learning and sharing knowledge. I believe that mentoring is a powerful way to inspire and develop the next generation of data scientists. My goal as a mentor would be to provide strategic guidance, share practical insights, and cultivate a growth mindset among mentees, empowering them to tackle complex problems with confidence and creativity.

Skills, expertise, and interests

  • data science
  • machine learning
  • deep learning
  • artificial intelligence
  • statistical and data modelling
  • MLOps
  • career planning or change
  • big data
  • data visualisation
  • problem solving
  • statistics and mathematics
  • time series analysis
  • computer vision
  • cloud computing
  • project management
  • leadership
  • work-life balance
  • business innovation
  • economics, finance, and business
  • strategy
  • DevOps
  • end-to-end implementation

Lishuai Jing

Chief data scientist/VP at Ønskeskyen

Background As the Chief Data Scientist and VP at Ønskeskyen,...

Sachin Pundhir

Position: Senior Scientist
Categories: Health and Medical Science
Location: Region Hovedstaden

Background

I am originally from India from where I did my Masters in Bioinformatics. In Denmark, I came to purse my Ph.D. and afterwards have been working at BRIC and Rigshospitalet as Senior Scientist. My expertise is in analysis of data (genomic) arising from Patients and Mice to understand biological basis of diseases such as cancer. I can offer my expertise in data analysis and visualisation using R and my experiences in pursuing Ph.D in Denmark.

Motivation

My motivation is to share my enthusiasm of data analysis with aspiring data scientists and share my experiences in how this field can help in treating diseases such as cancer. Along the way, I also think I can also learn from the aspirations and experiences of the young data scientists and how they think this field can help in solving my of the current issues that our society faces, including climate change, industry productivity, food security and human health.

Skills, expertise, and interests

  • data science
  • machine learning
  • data analytics
  • statistical and data modelling
  • data visualisation
  • problem solving
  • PhD advice
  • data management
  • project management
  • time management
  • health and medical science
  • academic writing skills
  • bioinformatics

Sachin Pundhir

Senior Scientist

Background I am originally from India from where I did...

Alexander Leguizamon-Robayo

Position: PhD student Aalborg University
Categories: Computer Science, Engineering and Technical Science, Mathematics
Location: Abroad, Region Nordjylland

Background

I am a last year PhD student at Aalborg University. I have been studying machine learning and AI both on my free time and as a part of my research. I have also supervised several student projects regarding theoretical and practical aspects of ML/DS. Seeing how theoretical constructs are translated into actual working software is something in am strongly interested in. My research focuses on finding methods to reduce dynamical models. Before, I studied theoretical mathematics and engineering. So I would be happy to discuss either the theory or engineering applications of AI.

Motivation

My main motivation is to share what I have learned with younger researchers/aspiring data scientists. I know the field can be intimidating at parts but I can ensure it is rewarding. Moreover, I had an awesome experience as a mentee during the last edition of the program. Finally, one of the best exercises is to answer questions from people that are new to the field. It is satisfying to find new ways to understand concepts and share them with others.

Skills, expertise, and interests

  • artificial intelligence
  • deep learning
  • machine learning
  • data science
  • MLOps
  • statistics and mathematics
  • PhD advice
  • time series analysis
  • data mining
  • software engineering
  • work-life balance
  • time management
  • high-performance computing
  • mathematical optimisation
  • academic writing skills
  • bioinformatics
  • engineering
  • version control

Alexander Leguizamon-Robayo

PhD student Aalborg University

Background I am a last year PhD student at Aalborg...

Ana Fernandes

Position: Geospatial consultant at NIRAS
Categories: Geography, Geoinformatics
Location: Region Hovedstaden

Background

I’m a geographer with passion for geospatial data and the interactions between data, space, people and environment. I did my education in Geography and Geoinformatics, whereI first specialized in urban planning and more recently in geoinformatics and geospatial data, where I was able to publish some work during my studies. During my work experience, I’ve been able to work on many different projects, under a large diversity of themes, which I think is one of the coolest parts of working with geospatial data. Besides the processing and manipulation of data, my daily work is focused on the analysis of geospatial data, as well as building systems and workflows that facilitate the production of geospatial solutions. What I am passionate about is the ability to combine both the technology and the analytics framed by different disciplines and geographies, where different sciences can influence the approach to take. As examples, at my current work I’ve been part of mapping historical stonewalls in Denmark using Deep Learning, mapping rural agents for financial inclusion in Ghana, network analysis on local mobility for the future Light Rail train in Copenhagen, or mapping invasive species using satellite imagery and machine learning in Denmark.

Motivation

At my work I’ve had the opportunity to supervise students that did their master thesis or projects at our department. This experience was quite enriching, and also motivates me to apply for the mentorship program. I saw this as an exchange of knowledge and experiences, as well as a way to support aspiring professionals, with the great addition of witnessing their exciting contributions to the field. Furthermore, I believe that this will also be an important contribution for my personal growth and a learning experience, where I also hope to contribute in any way can to the mentees development path.

Skills, expertise, and interests

  • machine learning
  • deep learning
  • data analytics
  • data management
  • computer vision
  • consulting
  • image analysis
  • image processing
  • urban planning
  • geospatial data science
  • spatial optimizations

Ana Fernandes

Geospatial consultant at NIRAS

Background I’m a geographer with passion for geospatial data and...

Marjan Mansourvar

Position: Assistant Professor, DTU Bioengineering
Categories: Computer Science
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 mining
  • computer vision
  • image analysis
  • image processing
  • life science

Marjan Mansourvar

Assistant Professor, DTU Bioengineering

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

Shabab Akhter

Position: Senior Data Scientist at ROCKWOOL A/S
Categories: Business and Management, Computer Science, Engineering and Technical Science
Location: Region Hovedstaden

Background

Hi! I am Shabab, and I am a versatile individual with over 5 years of experience working in the intersection of technology and business. I have a background in Computer Science and in my career so far, I have developed multiple innovative products and solutions utilizing the newest technologies. I have worked in top-tier companies both in the industry and also in consulting – this has enabled me to wear multiple hats and gain valuable skills in several different vertical streams and industries.

I take immense pride in being able to speak both Python and Powerpoint at a native level. I enjoy writing code and solving complex problems utilizing both statistical and deep learning techniques, but what I enjoy more and prioritize is creating stories and visually appealing slides that clearly communicate how the code I write translates to business value.

To summarize, I have a very diverse background and I am looking forward to sharing my experiences with those interested.

Motivation

In my 5 years of professional experience, I have tried several different things, and in those 5 years, I have failed more times than I have succeeded. But that is also what I have enjoyed the most because each failure presented me with the opportunity to learn something new – and this is what defines me as a person. I always thrive to try new things and learn new things. In connection to that, in recent years, I have felt a strong need to share my experiences, or more so, my failures, with a broader audience. I would like to impact future technology enthusiasts by sharing my experiences with them and hoping it helps them to repeat my mistakes, but rather make new mistakes. In addition to that, I have worked as a mentor for a few years now (I have also been a part of the previous round here at DDSA) and I thoroughly enjoy this. I feel I am making an impact and I am able to help people – I would very much like to continue doing it.

Skills, expertise, and interests

  • data science
  • data analytics
  • big data
  • time series analysis
  • text analysis
  • statistical and data modelling
  • machine learning
  • artificial intelligence
  • natural language processing (NLP)
  • MLOps
  • causality and explainability
  • economics, finance, and business
  • entrepreneurship and startups
  • consulting
  • engineering
  • software engineering
  • career planning or change
  • work-life balance
  • leadership

Shabab Akhter

Senior Data Scientist at ROCKWOOL A/S

Background Hi! I am Shabab, and I am a versatile...

Anastassia Vybornova

Position: PhD fellow at ITU, Young Academy Panel member at DDSA
Categories: Computer Science, Engineering and Technical Science, Humanities, Natural Science, Social Science
Location: Region Hovedstaden

Background

Currently in the midst of my PhD programme at ITU, at the NERDS group (NEtworks, Data, and Society); working on several interdisciplinary projects in the field of geospatial data science, with a focus on sustainable transportation (mostly data-driven planning of urban bicycle networks). I’ve studied Transcultural Communication, Technical Physics, Environmental Science, and Complexity Science. Before focusing on my academic career, I’ve also worked in many different places (administration, consulting, tourism, education…). I am/was also quite active in several NGOs and grassroots organisations, leaning very much to the left. 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
  • Computational science
  • Complex systems and chaos
  • Network science
  • Environmental sciences & sustainability
  • Social (data) science
  • Career planning or change
  • Work-life balance
  • PhD advice
  • Complexity science
  • Geospatial data science
  • Sustainable transportation
  • Urban planning
  • Mental health and well-being
  • Time management
  • Transcultural communication
  • Academic writing skills

Anastassia Vybornova

PhD fellow at ITU, Young Academy Panel member at DDSA

Background Currently in the midst of my PhD programme at...

Abdulkadir Celikkanat

Position: Assistant Professor, Aalborg University
Categories: Computer Science
Location: Region Nordjylland

Background

I am an assistant professor at Aalborg University working in the intersection of machine learning, and graph theory. My academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Bogazici University, followed by a Master’s degree at the same university. I obtained my Ph.D. degree from Paris-Saclay University, and during my doctoral studies, I was interested in the representation learning methods for predictive graph-structured data and published several papers in high-impact journals and conferences. At Aalborg University, I have been working on the metagenomics binning problem and on the integration of heterogeneous environmental factors with bacterial genome data. I also teach a course including various topics of machine learning and data science, and I supervise both undergraduate and graduate students.

Motivation

I would like to join the DDSA Mentoring Program as a mentor because I believe in the value of guidance and knowledge sharing. I am passionate about helping young and aspiring data scientists achieve their personal and professional growth. Mentoring not only benefits the mentees but also offers me the opportunity to grow. Engaging with mentees brings fresh perspectives, encourages the exchange of ideas, and helps expand my professional network both within and beyond the academic community.

Skills, expertise, and interests

  • data science
  • machine learning
  • artificial intelligence
  • statistical and data modelling
  • bioinformatics
  • network science

Abdulkadir Celikkanat

Assistant Professor, Aalborg University

Background I am an assistant professor at Aalborg University working...

Subham Sahoo

Position: Assistant Professor, Aalborg University
Categories: Engineering and Technical Science, Mathematics
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...

Andreas Trier Poulsen

Position: Lead data scientist, Novo Nordisk
Categories: Computer Science, Health and Medical Science, Life Science
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
  • artificial intelligence
  • data analytics
  • statistical and data modelling
  • MLOps
  • career planning or change
  • big data
  • data visualisation
  • natural language processing (NLP)
  • problem solving
  • deep learning
  • statistics and mathematics
  • data management
  • time series analysis
  • causality and explainability
  • consulting
  • project management
  • cloud computing
  • leadership
  • work-life balance
  • computational science
  • time management
  • mental health and well-being
  • health and medical science
  • end-to-end implementation
  • life science
  • forming sustainable habits

Andreas Trier Poulsen

Lead data scientist, Novo Nordisk

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

Daniel Michelsanti

Position: Data scientist at Novo Nordisk
Categories: Engineering and Technical Science
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
  • data analytics
  • data visualisation
  • time series analysis
  • image analysis
  • machine learning
  • deep learning
  • artificial intelligence
  • computer vision
  • speech processing
  • image processing
  • audio processing
  • health and medical science
  • pharmaceutics
  • PhD advice

Daniel Michelsanti

Data scientist at Novo Nordisk

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

Nikolai Gad

Position: Research Fellow, Technical University of Munich
Categories: Social Science
Location: Abroad, Region Hovedstaden

Background

I am a political science researcher and educator with a strong interest in social data science methods. I have a PhD from the Centre for Doctoral Training in Digital Civics at Newcastle University, and most recently I have worked as a research associate at the Technical University of Munich’s Hochshule für Politik. Among other things, I have developed a masters level course on Computational Methods for political science students, and I have supervised many masters theses that utilised social data science methods. My primary research interests revolve around the intersection of digital technologies and democracy. In particular, I do research on political participation, democratic innovations, and civic participation with an emphasis on the role of digital media in this context.

Motivation

I decided to join the DDSA mentoring programme because I have recently relocated to the Copenhagen area and would like to build connections with people here, who have an interest in social data science. One of the best parts of my job as a university researcher has been to supervise and teach talented students. I enjoy seeing the academic interests of my students develop and find great pleasure in being able to contribute to their career ambitions. So I am very interested in sharing my personal experiences and getting to know any mentees with an interest in social data science, especially if they are also interested in politics and democracy.

Skills, expertise, and interests

  • PhD advice
  • natural language processing (NLP)
  • career planning or change
  • data analytics
  • statistical and data modelling
  • data mining
  • social (data) science
  • text analysis
  • academic writing skills

Nikolai Gad

Research Fellow, Technical University of Munich

Background I am a political science researcher and educator with...

Ulrik Pedersen

Position: Senior Data Scientist @ NTT Data
Categories: Computer Science, Mathematics, Natural Science
Location: Region Hovedstaden

Background

I am a biochemical physicist turned data scientist with a passion for ML, DL and everything numbers. I earned my PhD in protein structure analysis, continued my research career at Novo Nordisk and I am now working as a senior data scientist at NTT Data.

Motivation

I have always had a passion for teaching and sharing knowledge. I find that by breaking down complex topics and explaining them to others, I gain a better understanding of the material myself. Whether I’m teaching advanced concepts to management or simplifying ideas for younger students, I appreciate the opportunity to engage with my field in a deeper way.

Teaching also allows me to meet people with diverse backgrounds and job profiles. I enjoy learning about their perspectives and how they approach problems. These interactions have broadened my horizons and enriched my understanding of the subjects I teach.

I was a mentor in the 23/24 iteration and loved it. I had 2 mentees that I helped along their paths, finding a job/career and writing a thesis, respectively.

Skills, expertise, and interests

  • data science
  • machine learning
  • deep learning
  • artificial intelligence
  • data analytics
  • statistical and data modelling
  • MLOps
  • career planning or change
  • data visualisation
  • problem solving
  • statistics and mathematics
  • big data
  • causality and explainability
  • time series analysis
  • data mining
  • project management
  • consulting
  • cloud computing
  • computational science
  • time management
  • economics, finance, and business
  • health and medical science
  • DevOps
  • end-to-end implementation
  • mathematical optimisation
  • bioinformatics
  • academic writing skills
  • life science
  • code review
  • version control

Ulrik Pedersen

Senior Data Scientist @ NTT Data

Background I am a biochemical physicist turned data scientist with...

Daniele Dell’Aglio

Position: Lektor (associate professor) at Aalborg University
Categories: Computer Science
Location: Region Nordjylland

Background

My main research interest lies in the management of graph data, including applying analytics and machine learning tasks. 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 Web Data Science, Data Privacy and 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 junior 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, such as academic career planning and PhD life, as well as digging into more technical aspects.

Skills, expertise, and interests

  • Data science
  • Data analytics
  • Big data
  • Data management
  • Machine learning
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Bioinformatics
  • Career planning or change
  • Work-life balance
  • PhD advice

Daniele Dell’Aglio

Lektor (associate professor) at Aalborg University

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

Nicholas Clark

Position: Founder & CTO
Categories: Business and Management, Life Science
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 7th year mentoring and the 4rd 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 point you to the importance of asking the premisses of your way of approaching your 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 determine what is important for you and jointly determine the best ways for you to find the best solution(s).

Skills, expertise, and interests

  • data science
  • machine learning
  • deep learning
  • artificial intelligence
  • data analytics
  • natural language processing (NLP)
  • consulting
  • leadership
  • teamwork
  • bioinformatics
  • entrepreneurship and startups

Nicholas Clark

Founder & CTO

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

Jens Ulrik Hansen

Position: Associate Professor at Roskilde University
Categories: Computer Science, Humanities, Mathematics, Social Science
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 a few 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
  • data analytics
  • data visualisation
  • data mining
  • big data
  • machine learning
  • deep learning
  • artificial intelligence
  • natural language processing (NLP)
  • causality and explainability
  • computational science
  • network science
  • social (data) science
  • career planning or change
  • work-life balance
  • PhD advice
  • teamwork

Jens Ulrik Hansen

Associate Professor at Roskilde University

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

Gregers Kjerulf Dubrow

Position: Freelancer
Categories: Humanities, Social Science
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

Freelancer

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

Iannis Drakos

Position: Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (CAIO) - GENerX.life, Collaborator - OHDSI.org, Advisor - EHDEN.eu
Categories: Business and Management, Computer Science, Health and Medical Science, Life Science
Location: Region Hovedstaden, Region Sjælland

Background

Iannis is at the forefront of health data science and digital transformation in medicines, with over two decades of expertise in crafting solutions using AI, Natural Language Processing, Real World Evidence, multimodal data integration, and cloud computing. As the director of data science and engineering at leading pharmaceutical companies like Lundbeck and Novo Nordisk, he has been pivotal in seamlessly introducing AI into business processes and part of the AI in medicines discussion with FDA and EMA. Furthermore, Iannis’ contributions to international consortia, notably OHDSI.org (OMOP) and EHDEN.eu, have been instrumental for groundbreaking advancements in health data standardization, precision medicine, and Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) clinical applications. Iannis holds a PhD in Medicine and has published more than 20 scientific papers. Recently, Iannis joined the board of GENerX.life as the Chief AI Officer (CAIO), supporting pharmaceutical organizations across the world tackle AI and Data Science challenges.

Motivation

It feels great to be part of the awesome DDSA initiative. An opportunity to give back to society, and importantly to interact and learn from the brilliant data scientists that participate in the DDSA mentoring program.

Skills, expertise, and interests

  • data science
  • machine learning
  • deep learning
  • artificial intelligence
  • MLOps
  • career planning or change
  • big data
  • natural language processing (NLP)
  • problem solving
  • data management
  • PhD advice
  • causality and explainability
  • data mining
  • software engineering
  • project management
  • cloud computing
  • leadership
  • work-life balance
  • time management
  • strategy
  • health and medical science
  • teamwork
  • DevOps
  • mental health and well-being
  • end-to-end implementation
  • academic writing skills
  • bioinformatics
  • pharmaceutics
  • life science
  • digitalisation
  • entrepreneurship and startups
  • code review
  • version control
  • forming sustainable habits
  • software project management

Iannis Drakos

Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (CAIO) - GENerX.life, Collaborator - OHDSI.org, Advisor - EHDEN.eu

Background Iannis is at the forefront of health data science...

Chen Li

Position: Assistant Professor at AAU
Categories: Computer Science
Location: Region Nordjylland

Background

Chen Li is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Materials and Production at Aalborg University. He is certified by NVIDIA as University Ambassador. Chen Li’s research mainly focuses on Natural Language Processing (NLP), Data Analysis and Deep Learning. He has years of experience in dialogue systems, entity recognition, and text mining. He has a deep understanding of SOTA neural network models, particularly Transformers like BERT and GPT, and their applications in NLP. He has successfully applied NLP techniques in multimodal contexts, specifically in Conversational AI and Text Mining.

He successfully takes NLP projects from concept to production, particularly in the manufacturing and business domains. He collaborated closely with cross-functional teams (e.g., robotics engineers, cognitive scientists, business experts) to understand unique requirements and develop tailored NLP solutions.

Motivation

With a deep understanding of SOTA neural network models, particularly Transformers like BERT and GPT, I have successfully applied NLP techniques in multimodal contexts, such as text mining, sentiment analysis, and conversational AI. Taking NLP projects from concept to production in manufacturing and business domains, I collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, tailoring NLP solutions to unique requirements. My proficiency in deploying NLP models at scale ensures seamless integration into real-world applications, driving innovation and improving research outcomes. I am enthusiastic about contributing to the mentoring community by sharing my expertise and experiences with fellow mentees.

Skills, expertise, and interests

  • Data science
  • Data analytics
  • Time series analysis
  • Text analysis
  • Machine learning
  • Deep learning
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Natural language processing (NLP)

Chen Li

Assistant Professor at AAU

Background Chen Li is an Assistant Professor in the Department...

Ramtin Zargari Marandi

Position: Postdoc - Rigshospitalet
Categories: Engineering and Technical Science, Health and Medical Science, Life Science
Location: Region Hovedstaden

Background

I’m a postdoctoral researcher specializing in machine learning, with a focus on clinical and genetic data. I hold a PhD in biomedical science and engineering from Aalborg University. My research experience includes developing machine learning models for binary classification, survival analysis, and regression, applied to various data types, including tabular data and biosignals. Additionally, I have mentored professionals such as medical doctors and bioinformaticians, as well as students from diverse fields.

Motivation

I’m eager to join the mentoring program to support upcoming data scientists and researchers in understanding the field, its opportunities, and challenges. I also aim to expand my network and exchange new ideas. Given the ubiquity of ML/AI, finding the right path to learn about it is crucial for researchers from diverse backgrounds.

Skills, expertise, and interests

  • data science
  • machine learning
  • artificial intelligence
  • data analytics
  • statistical and data modelling
  • data visualisation
  • problem solving
  • statistics and mathematics
  • causality and explainability
  • consulting
  • time series analysis
  • data mining
  • computational science
  • high-performance computing
  • health and medical science
  • bioinformatics
  • academic writing skills
  • engineering
  • version control
  • PhD advice

Ramtin Zargari Marandi

Postdoc - Rigshospitalet

Background I’m a postdoctoral researcher specializing in machine learning, with...

John Shorter

Position: Assistant Professor, Roskilde University
Categories: Health and Medical Science, Natural Science
Location: Region Sjælland

Background

My research interests focus on using genetic, bioinformatic, and epidemiological tools to better understand neurological and psychiatric disease.

Motivation

I love giving advice and support to younger scientists. I was able to get to this position because of support I was given as a young scientist.

Skills, expertise, and interests

  • bioinformatics
  • big data
  • statistics and mathematics
  • PhD advice
  • health and medical science
  • mental health and well-being
  • academic writing skills

John Shorter

Assistant Professor, Roskilde University

Background My research interests focus on using genetic, bioinformatic, and...

Morten Arngren

Position: Lead Data Scientist, VML
Categories: Computer Science, Engineering and Technical Science, Mathematics
Location: Region Hovedstaden

Background

With a PhD in ML and 12+ years of experience in the industry, I have developed and delivered many ML solution to various business. It’s all around taking ML research (eg. papers and open-source code) and apply to a real-world problems and ensuring it actually runs in production. In practice I have built recommender systems, textual embeddings, user behaviour models, Bayesian bandits, Bayesian AB-test systems to name a few 🙂

Motivation

I have always been in the industry and enjoyed both supervising and lead young talent within ML and Data Science. This has lead to many skilled professional today both in startups and commercial companies. Thats’ my motivation – to support and help young talent make an impact for themselves and evolve in their career.

Skills, expertise, and interests

  • data science
  • machine learning
  • deep learning
  • artificial intelligence
  • data analytics
  • statistical and data modelling
  • natural language processing (NLP)
  • data visualisation
  • statistics and mathematics
  • PhD advice
  • big data
  • data management
  • time series analysis
  • data mining
  • project management
  • cloud computing
  • leadership
  • computational science
  • work-life balance
  • time management
  • business innovation
  • text analysis
  • strategy
  • teamwork
  • end-to-end implementation
  • mathematical optimisation
  • academic writing skills
  • engineering
  • digitalisation
  • code review
  • version control
  • software project management

Morten Arngren

Lead Data Scientist, VML

Background With a PhD in ML and 12+ years of...

Juan Carlos Arceo Luzanilla

Position: Postdoctoral Researcher, Aalborg University
Categories: Engineering and Technical Science, Mathematics
Location: Abroad, Region Nordjylland

Background

As a Mechatronic Engineer with a PhD in Automatic Control, I excel in mathematical modeling, nonlinear control, and signal processing. Proficient in Python, MATLAB/Simulink, Julia, and C, I have a strong grasp of machine learning and optimization techniques. Passionate about innovating AI applications to enhance business productivity, my interdisciplinary project experience has refined my skills in algorithm development and large data analysis, enabling me to tackle complex problems effectively.

Motivation

I want to join the mentoring program because I want to share what I’ve learned over the years and help others grow in their careers. I love the idea of inspiring others, especially when it comes to AI and advanced control systems.

Skills, expertise, and interests

  • machine learning
  • statistics and mathematics
  • problem solving
  • engineering

Juan Carlos Arceo Luzanilla

Postdoctoral Researcher, Aalborg University

Background As a Mechatronic Engineer with a PhD in Automatic...

Lars Jochumsen

Position: Senior Data Scientist
Categories: Computer Science
Location: Region Midtjylland

Background

I have a background in time series analysis as well as computer vision and in general data science. I have work in defense where data is a sparse resource and in cloud where data was coming in form of 24 hours video surveillance. I have supervised multiple master thesis in the company I have worked in and I am experienced in a team lead role. I am used to help my team both as a more academic both also as MLops and software development with in data science. I have also developed and end to end machine learning platform which is a hybrid between cloud and local setup

Motivation

I join this program as I love to help other and that is part of why I took a PhD. I thrive by having the team lead role where I help others especially as a mentor role. I am focused on details in work but have also been in multiple companies so I can also give career advice and where to focus depending of what a person wants to achieve

Skills, expertise, and interests

  • data science
  • machine learning
  • deep learning
  • artificial intelligence
  • data analytics
  • statistical and data modelling
  • MLOps
  • data visualisation
  • problem solving
  • time series analysis
  • computer vision
  • image analysis
  • teamwork
  • image processing
  • data mining

Lars Jochumsen

Senior Data Scientist

Background I have a background in time series analysis as...