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Secretariat
Marie Helene Andersson
Managing Director
Marie Helene heading up the DDSA secretariat and sets the direction in collaboration with the DDSA Board of Directors. She engages with DDSA panels and committees as well as the wider data science community from academia, industry, and the public sector. Marie Helene holds a Master of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Copenhagen and has over 20 years of experience in the biotech sector and pharmaceutical industry. She has extensive knowledge in data science and strategic leadership, driving the digital, data, and AI agenda at Ferring Pharmaceuticals and LEO Pharma.
Contact: MarieHelene@ddsa.dk | +45 20 89 53 48
Sniff Andersen Nexø
Education & Grant Manager
Sniff manages DDSA’s educational activities and the Course and Event Funding Programme and is the Named Person for DDSA-driven and -funded events. She is responsible for the annual Pre-Graduate Retreat and oversees the Education & Networking Committee and the Cross-Academy Collaboration Committee. Additionally, she maintains and develops the DDSA application portal.
Sniff has a PhD in History and a strong interest in the history and theories of gender, discourse, and power. She has extensive experience in pre-graduate and PhD education and interdisciplinary research from previous positions as an associate professor at UCPH and the lead on two commissioned reports on Greenlandic-Danish history.
Contact: Sniff@ddsa.dk | +45 3190 3539
Mette Specht Andersen
Fellowship & Grant Manager
Mette manages DDSA’s research funding activities and oversees the Fellowship Evaluation Committee. She leads the DDSA Fellowship Programme (PhD and Postdoctoral), the Travel and Visit funding programme, and the 2024 Cross-Academy PhD Scholarships. Additionally, Mette engages in content planning for fellows’ meetups, diversity initiatives, and developing new Fellowships initiatives.
She holds an MA in Philosophy, Theory of Science, and History from Roskilde University and has extensive experience in university administration at Copenhagen University and the Technical University of Denmark.
Contact: Mette@ddsa.dk | +45 2489 2508
Simone Pasolini
Scientific Events Manager
Simone manages the planning and execution of events that unite the Danish data science community. Collaborating with the secretariat and scientific committees, he leads and designs various events, including the DDSA Annual Meeting (D3A), and oversees the Young Academy Panel (YAP). Simone holds a MSc in international relations from Aarhus University and has extensive experience organising events for industry professionals at international film festivals.
Contact: Simone@ddsa.dk | +45 9351 0623
Rebecca Siert
Executive Assistant
Rebecca manages online communication for DDSA, aiming to create relevant engagement with DDSA’s initiatives. She also supports accounting and the final reporting of visit and travel grants and assists the DDSA Board of Directors.
Rebecca has many years of experience within planning, organising and execution academic International Study Programmes, as well as communication, administrational and account experience. Rebecca holds a professional bachelor’s degree in Sales and Marketing, with a focus on Project Planning, from Copenhagen Business Academy.
Contact: Rebecca@ddsa.dk | +45 2089 4796
Ida Andersen
UX Designer
Ida Andersen works with user experience design at DDSA, focusing on creating intuitive and engaging digital interactions across our platforms. She plays a central role in shaping both the design and development of DDSA’s new resource‑sharing platform, ensuring it supports and inspires the data science community. Ida also contributes to initiatives for early‑career researchers and oversees DDSA’s mentoring programme. She brings experience from her academic roles at Aalborg University and holds an MSc in Information Technology, Experience Design, from Aalborg University.
Contact: Ida@ddsa.dk | +45 9351 1733
Shannon Mascard
Student Assistant – Data Science
Shannon Mascard is a Data Science Student Assistant at DDSA, responsible for developing and maintaining Python-based solutions, improving data collection and storage processes, and supporting technical aspects of DDSA’s programmes, events, and website. She is also the Mentoring Programme Co-Lead for the 2025/26 DDSA Mentoring Programme, where she facilitates mentor–mentee relationships and leads initiatives to foster cross-seniority connections. She is finishing her Bachelor of Science in Engineering from DTU with a focus in mathematics and data science.
Contact: Shannon@ddsa.dk
Pictures ©Mikal Schlosser and @DDSA
Martin Broberg
Senior Communications Manager
Martin Broberg is responsible for both external and internal communications at the Academy. He plays a key role in strengthening the DDSA’s public voice in the field of data science, with particular emphasis on Danish economic competitiveness and the ethical dimensions of applying data science in research, welfare, and industry. Martin holds a degree in Journalism and brings extensive experience in Corporate Communications, Marketing, and Public Affairs from large Danish private companies and organisations.
Contact: Martin@ddsa.dk | +45 9351 1423