I won the Pistoia Alliance Young Data Scientist of the Year Award at their London Conference. The award honours 'the vital role data scientists play in driving innovation in the global life sciences industry'.  It was an international competition, with applicants from the USA, Pakistan, India, Europe, and the UK, and more. The judges narrowed down to a shortlist of 14 candidates from organizations like Novo Nordisk, AbbVie, and King’s College London. The final round featured three finalists—AstraZeneca, GSK, and myself, from CPI.

At the conference, I presented my work with the IntraCellular Drug Delivery Centre (IDDC), a project funded by Innovate UK to accelerate the advancement of RNA-based therapies for improved healthcare, helping the UK become a global leader in intracellular drug delivery platforms. The project focused on developing our understanding of Lipid Nano Particles, which are key to unlocking the potential of RNA medicines for vaccines, cancer therapies, and other treatments.

My focus has been to develop Python and utilise machine learning tools to extract meaningful insights from complex experimental data, supporting scientists in developing a data-driven approach to optimizing LNP formulations. CPI and project partners have produced and characterised a large number of LNPs, generating vast amounts of high-dimensional data. My work involves turning this data into actionable insights—helping select lipids for experiments, processing data, modelling formulations, with the aim of supporting our understanding in this area and developing a data back approach. 

I do this as part of my role as a Research Engineer – Digital Technologies at CPI (Centre for Process Innovation). CPI is a UK-based technology innovation center that bridges the gap between academia and industry to accelerate scientific breakthroughs. With expertise in pharmaceuticals, advanced materials, and biotechnology, CPI supports companies in developing innovative solutions that drive progress in healthcare, sustainability, and manufacturing.

Upon receiving the award, Nima said:

I’m honoured to receive this award from the Pistoia Alliance, especially at a time when data science is playing such a pivotal role in transforming the life sciences. Behind every dataset and algorithm is the potential to make a real difference to patients’ lives and I’m proud to represent a new generation of data scientists working to turn research into meaningful outcomes.

Well done, Nima!