/Connect.Learn.Be Inspired.

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. 

Malte Petry

Position: ML Engineer
Categories: Mentors 2026/2027
Location: Danske Bank, Region Hovedstaden

Background

I am currently working as an ML Engineer in Danske Bank’s AI & Data Science Center of Excellence. Prior to that I worked as a Data Scientist at Novo Nordisk and completed their Data Science Graduate Programme. My academic background is a bit mixed: I started out with Business Administration majoring in Finance for my bachelor’s but then transitioned into Data Science for my master’s degree.

Motivation

I have had – and still have – great mentors who have helped me throughout my career. I would now like to offer guidance to students or young professionals as well since I know the field can be hard to navigate. Being an international in Denmark also comes with a unique set of challenges that I can help with.

Skills, expertise and interests

  • MLOps
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Good Coding Practices
  • DevOps
  • Machine learning

Malte Petry

ML Engineer

Background I am currently working as an ML Engineer in...

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Maria Kalimantzali

Position: Lead Data Scientist
Categories: Mentors 2026/2027
Location: Ambu A/S, Region Hovedstaden

Background

I hold an MSc in Business Analytics and Data Science from Technical University of Denmark and have 5+ years of experience in data science, analytics, and business intelligence. My expertise spans predictive modeling, machine learning, ETL development, KPI reporting, and data visualization. I have worked across pharmaceutical, environmental, and commercial finance domains, leading analytics initiatives, forecasting models, customer segmentation projects, and cloud-based planning solutions to support data-driven strategic decision-making.

Motivation

I am motivated to join the Mentoring Programme as a mentor because I value knowledge sharing and helping others navigate their professional development. Throughout my career in data science, business intelligence, and project leadership, I have benefited from guidance and collaboration, and I would like to give back by supporting mentees in achieving their goals. I look forward to sharing practical insights, fostering confidence, and contributing to the growth of future professionals while also learning from their perspectives and experiences.

Skills, expertise and interests

  • Data analytics
  • Digitalisation
  • MLOps
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Data management
  • Data mining
  • Data modelling
  • Machine learning

Maria Kalimantzali

Lead Data Scientist

Background I hold an MSc in Business Analytics and Data...

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Marjan Mansourvar

Position: Lecturer
Categories: Mentors 2026/2027
Location: Region Sjælland, Roskilde University

Background

I am a data scientist and educator with a PhD in Computer Science and over ten years of experience in academia and interdisciplinary research. My expertise spans artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, and biotechnology. I have supervised students at BSc, MSc, and PhD levels, led research projects, and collaborated across academia and industry. I am passionate about supporting career development, research excellence, and helping others navigate opportunities in data science.

Motivation

I am motivated to join the Mentoring Programme because I enjoy supporting the development of students and early-career data scientists. Through my experience in academia, research, and industry collaboration, I have gained insights into different career paths and the challenges that come with them. I hope to share my experiences, provide guidance, and help mentees build confidence, develop their skills, and make informed decisions about their future careers.

Skills, expertise and interests

  • Academic writing
  • Data analytics
  • Digitalisation
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Data management
  • Natural Language Processing
  • Data mining
  • Image analysis
  • Deep learning
  • Image processing
  • Computer vision
  • Machine learning

Marjan Mansourvar

Lecturer

Background I am a data scientist and educator with a...

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Maximilian von Zastrow

Position: Assistant Professor
Categories: Mentors 2026/2027
Location: Region Syddanmark, University of Southern Denmark

Background

I am an Assistant Professor at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) and Deputy Head of Programme for the Bachelor’s and Master’s in Software Engineering at SDU Sønderborg. I teach ‘Advanced Object-Oriented Programming’ and ‘Machine Learning and Big Data Analytics’. My research focuses on foundational unsupervised learning and applied machine learning, specifically using NLP for password forensics. A more recent interest is exploring the capabilities and potential problems of agentic AI.

Motivation

As I am originally from Germany and only started working in Denmark in 2024, I am keen to expand my network here and meet fellow data scientists. Teaching and supervising scientific work has always been my passion, so I am happy to share my experience with other data scientists, or with those who aspire to become one.

Skills, expertise and interests

  • Academic writing
  • Data analytics
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Natural Language Processing
  • Data mining
  • Image analysis
  • Text analysis
  • Deep learning
  • Image processing
  • Computer vision
  • Machine learning

Maximilian von Zastrow

Assistant Professor

Background I am an Assistant Professor at the University of...

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