Spotlight on Atreyi Saha

Atreyi Saha joined SCADR and the Scottish Historic Population Platform (SHiPP) project team based at the Bayes Centre in May 2023. 

We asked Atreyi some questions to get an insight into her career, her SCADR role and since it is 'Love Data Week', what she loves about data.

Can you please explain what the SHiPP project is?

Definitely! The Scottish Historic Population Platform (SHiPP) project aims to develop data extraction methods of linked datasets from graph databases contributing to the evaluation and application of novel record-linkage methods on a real-world Scottish population database. There are sub-projects that I am working on to support the conversion of research prototypes into software that evaluate the use of AI to produce an efficient trained model based on smaller subset of labelled data. This is particularly useful as obtaining labelled data is quite expensive in most real-world situations.

What does your role entail?

My role as SHiPP Research Software Engineer, combines responsibilities of an Academic Researcher and a Software Engineer for the SHiPP project. Presently, I am setting up and configuring the infrastructure required for SHiPP at EPCC and finalising the information governance/audit related processes involved with Managed File Transfers to the Safe Haven. I ensure that the EPCC Safe Haven services are available for the SHiPP team’s efficient use of secure environments including uploading safe code, data and software with proper information governance in place.

In the long term, I will be working at creating anonymised data extracts from the SHiPP dataset for other research projects involving geocoding street names and occupation coding. My work also involves my collaboration with SHiPP team members at University of Edinburgh, University of St Andrews, the Australian National University, the School of Informatics and the Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre (EPCC).

What challenges have you had to overcome in this role?

With multiple requests for digital material upload into the Safe Haven, one of the challenges is to always ensure that only safe code, data and software is transferred into the Safe Haven with proper Information Governance and audit data. This takes some time depending on the size of the digital material and number of trusted/unknown resources.

Anything you have learnt that you would remind others to do?

Not just from this project, but as a general rule, always plan well and document it before starting a task. This not only applies to long term project level plans which are usually documented, but also weekly, even daily work activities. This amplifies productivity and offers a sense of accomplishment.

What do you like most about your job– what you’ve enjoyed about this project?

I have enjoyed the transition from being a novice in the personal data domain to understanding its importance and practical applications. It gives me joy knowing that the work that I am doing will contribute to a healthier and happier Scottish population, making a better world eventually.

How long have you worked in Edinburgh?

I have been with the University of Edinburgh since early 2022, when I joined the Digital Library involving design and implementation of an infrastructure and API service, to serve a wide range of users allowing better discovery, display, research, teaching and sharing of the University’s diverse collections. I then joined SCADR and the SHiPP project in May 2023.

Why did you decide on a career in data?

My educational background in Computer Science Engineering naturally guided me into design and development of Software Systems and databases. In the private sector, I have led teams in developing applications in telecommunications, media platforms, remote delivery systems and customer-care service domains. I have also worked briefly with Geospatial technologies, specifically open-source geospatial datasets and mapping.

I love working with data and doing analytics, as they give confidence to our choices in the decision-making process, and have the ability to impact research and business success.

Do you have a favourite professional accomplishment?

My favourite one would be receiving the best contributor award for extraordinary commitment, ownership and timely delivery of an Element Management System for a nanoGSM radio access network.

Moving away from work, can you tell me more about yourself?

I grew up in Bangalore, India, in a multicultural environment and speak 4 languages fluently. Growing up, I learnt an Indian classical dance form and enjoyed art and craft. Painting using water and oil colours is a favourite hobby. I also enjoy practicing light yoga whenever time permits which always boosts my energy levels, and love to wander in Edinburgh to find new routes in nature, such as a castle, a park, a lake or even a little cafe nestled in the woods. Edinburgh’s natural beauty is fresh and soothing, especially during the daffodil season and I try to soak it up as much as possible.

I have always enjoyed celebrating and being part of the many vibrant festivals in India and love helping to organise them.

If I get a chance, I would love to meet the honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi. He has initiated a paradigm shift in governance that has led to inclusive, development-oriented and corruption-free governance. Shri Modi is extremely passionate about his work, well prepared to do his job and beyond, and always leads by example.