Abstract: 

The Ignite session comprises of five 7-minute talks by women in data science participating in ODSC, on technical topics. Back-to-back talks presented on a variety of topics from women speakers from diverse industry and academic backgrounds.

Bio: 

Sarah Jarvis, PhD, Head of Data Science | PROWLER.io

Sarah is both an engineer and a researcher, with experience in bioengineering and health economics. Growing up between the UK and Australia, she completed her PhD in Germany. As a data scientist, she bridges the research, software engineering and product teams to identify how best to build application software.

Ildikó Barna, PhD, Head of Department, Social Resarch | Eötvös Loránd University

Ildikó B is a sociologist and a survey statistician. She is an Associate Professor at ELTE University Faculty of Social Sciences (ELTE FSS) Budapest, where she also serves as Chair of the Department of Social Research Methodology. She is the co-leader of the Research Center for Computational Social Science at ELTE FSS (https://rc2s2.eu/en). Her research topics include NLP in sociology, antisemitism, and xenophobia.

Nollie Maoto, Executive Head: Business Intelligence, Analytics, Planning and Monitoring | FNB

Nollie is a savvy business intelligence and business analytics leader with over 13 years of diverse financial services background including performance driven results in strategic planning, action plan execution, leadership, project/programme management, business intelligence and analytics, operational efficiency, business and target operating models and process engineering and re-engineering. As a dynamic leader, has consistently developed high performing teams through effective coaching, team building, motivation, strength driven performance, and 360-degree performance focus. Nollie is a highly motivated, innovative and performance-driven Head of Business Intelligence and Analytics offering comprehensive achievements and experience in Retail and Corporate Investment Banking, Wealth Management, Insurance, Financial Services and Management Consulting particularly in the contact centre environment, operations, mobile payments, operating models, electronic delivery channels, digitization, cash management, and financial regulatory compliance in South Africa and Rest of Africa. Nollie holds a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) with a focus in Strategy and Digital Innovation. She recently completed her Data Science and Business Analytics post graduate program with the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business. The focus of this program was advanced statistics, machine learning and predictive modelling.

Loubna Bouarfa, PhD, CEO & Founder | High Level Ai Expert | OKRA Technologies | EU Commission

Dr Loubna Bouarfa is a machine learning scientist turned entrepreneur.
She is the founder and CEO of OKRA Technologies - an artificial intelligence data analytics company for healthcare. OKRA allows healthcare professionals to combine all their data in one place and generate actionable, evidence-based insights in real time, to save and improve human lives. Loubna is currently a member of the European Union High-Level Expert Group on Artificial Intelligence, where she is particularly focused on healthcare and achieving competitive business impact with AI. She was named an MIT Technology Review Top Innovator Under 35, a Forbes 50 Top Women In Tech, and won several prizes, including CEO of Year 2019 at the Cambridge Independent Science and Technology Awards and Best Female-Led Startup at the StartUp Europe Awards. On a personal level, she is a strong advocate for diversity, women and challenging the status quo.

Orsolya Vasarhelyi, Ph.D, Postdoctoral Fellow | University of Warwick

Orsolya is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Warwick. Her research focuses on how network and data science can lead to a better understanding of unconscious bias in STEM. Currently, she is interested in developing data-driven methods to quantify inclusion and explore the role of gendered network formation in success and creativity. Orsolya is an ambassador of the Global Women in Data Science Initiative and a member of the Data Science for Social Good Alumni.