William Banda
Newport
Summary
Seasoned Data Scientist experienced working with large datasets, breaking down information and applying interpretations to complex business concerns, excellent technical abilities with software and applications, ability to handle challenging work, and excellent time management skills. Proficient in distribution, predictive and hypothetical modeling. Multiple times global award winner for research, technology, innovation and leadership.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Part-Time Data Scientist
Harper Adams University
Newport
12.2023 - Current
- Primary data collection on food consumption behavior.
- Undertake qualitative text- and image-based data analysis
- Maintain inventory records and provide data feedback for research purpose.
- Developing predictive models using machine learning, natural language and statistical analysis methods.
- Interpreting and analyzing data using exploratory mathematic and statistical techniques based on scientific methods.
- Developing and implementing deep learning models using PyTorch to solve various machine learning tasks, including image classification, object detection, and natural language processing.
- Performing exploratory analysis on large datasets using SQL and Python libraries such as Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-Learn, and Matplotlib.
- Creating dashboards to improve accessibility, usability, compatibility, and convenience to end users or other stakeholders by organising data that exist in many separate “silos” such as My John Deere, Muddy Boots, or Omnia software.
- Building compelling data stories and visualizations to influence decision makers.
- Contributing to Data Engineering projects, including Optical Character Recognition (OCR) systems, data preprocessing pipelines, and data integration solutions, ensuring data quality and accessibility.
- Implementing data scraping and crawling techniques to collect data from diverse sources, such as websites, APIs, and databases, to support analytics and machine learning initiatives.
- Exploring and applying Generative AI techniques to generate synthetic data for augmenting training datasets and creating AI-generated content.
Technical Advisor for Youth Organizations and Advocacy for Empowering Youth in Agribusiness
GIZ and National Youth Council of Malawi
Lilongwe
10.2022 - 08.2023
- Leveraged data analytics to formulate youth-friendly policies in food production and processing, aligning with organizational objectives and youth empowerment initiatives.
- Provided data-driven advisory services for the development and execution of strategic plans, ensuring active involvement of youth in food production policies and practices.
- Established and nurtured partnerships with Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ATVET) centers, government agencies, private sector entities, and other stakeholders, fostering collaboration and maximizing project impact.
- Offered technical expertise and representation in stakeholder dialogues, workshops, and community engagements, facilitating data-driven decision-making processes and knowledge exchange.
- Orchestrated collaboration among various stakeholders, including youth organizations, ATVET centers, private sector entities, and government agencies, to ensure synergy and alignment of efforts towards common goals in food production and policy implementation.
Data Analyst - Professional Development Experience
Carriage House
Cincinnati
07.2022 - 08.2022
- Analyzed large datasets to identify trends, patterns and correlations for business insights.
- Provided data-driven solutions to support decision making.
- Maintained documentation of all the processes related to Data Analysis.
- Built visualizations that enabled users to quickly interpret results from complex analyses.
- Generated reports and obtained data to develop analytics on key performance and operational metrics.
- Utilized advanced analytics tools such as SAS, SPSS, Excel PowerPivot, to manipulate large volumes of structured and unstructured data sets.
- Conducted data analysis to prepare forecasts and identify trends.
- Automated manual reporting processes by developing scripts in Python or R.
Lead Researcher for Business Development Service Research
German International Corporation (GIZ)
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Analysis digital solutions available in the provision of training and coaching
- Assessing willingness by MSME to pay for the different digital tools available on the market and in case they are not willing to pay, assess why this Is the case and what is needed so that they would pay
- Assessing different challenges faced by MSMEs to access the services
- Compiling final research report to GIZ.
- Advised the team on ethical considerations related to research activities.
- Provided guidance to junior researchers on best practices for conducting research.
- Coordinated with external stakeholders such as government agencies or private organizations to ensure compliance with regulations or policies governing research activities.
- Reviewed relevant literature to identify gaps in knowledge within the field of study.
- Developed project budgets and monitored expenditures throughout the duration of the project.
- Prepared reports, presentations, and manuscripts summarizing research findings.
Youth Think Tank Researcher
Restless Development and Mastercard Foundation
01.2020 - 01.2021
- Leading, designing and conducting research on youth leadership, economic empowerment and development
- Finding which research matters most, and dissemination of research results to users which includes policy makers, CEOs and youth leaders
- Developing key insights on the issues that matter most to young people
- Working to make sure young people have a voice, living, sexual rights, and is leaders in preventing and solving the world’s challenges
- Collecting data in audio format using android and other recording devices, data transcription and analysis
- Achievements: I contributed to publishing of an African worldwide research paper called “What Research Matters”.
Business Development Coach and Trainer
German International Cooperation & Farm Concern International
01.2018 - 01.2021
- Provide business training for selected MSME and startup entrepreneurs based on the identified training needs
- Provide business coaching for the entrepreneurs who have successfully undergone the required business training sessions
- Support MSMEs and Startup entrepreneurs to make informed business decisions and build their capacity in implementing these business decisions
- Train MSMEs on how to develop their business development plan
- Collecting and submitting M and E data forms online using kobo collect software application on android tablets
- Submitting monthly contextual reports to the project manager of farm concern international
- Helped MSMEs and startup entrepreneurs to develop their business plans
- Achievements: Trained and coached over 300 MSMEs helped in Nkhotakota, Salima, Mulanje, Thyolo and Blantyre in Malawi
- Helped about 100 of MSMEs and Startups to develop their business development plans.
Chapter Coordinator
Maestros Leadership Company
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Training youths in entrepreneurship
- Community engagement
- Information gathering
- Gathering film and other media
- Organize physical and/or online coordinators meetings/focus groups
- Commissioning Maestros Chapter Blogs
- Participating in National and International events
- Achievements: I Led a team of 100 youths to contribute to projects that led Maestros Leadership Team to be recognized by Commonwealth for excellence in development work in Africa in achieving the sustainable development goals set by the UN aims at equipping youth as leaders across Africa by offering mind transforming training for a brighter future for the continent and the world.
Education
MSc Data Science for Global Agriculture, Food and Environment - Computer Science And Programming
Harper Adams University
Newport, Shropshire, United Kingdom.09-2024
Leadership In Business -
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States06-2022
Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture - Agriculture
Lilongwe University of Agriculture And Natural Resources (LUANAR)
09-2012
Malawi School Certificate of Education -
Chipasula School
Lilongwe, Malawi06-2011
Skills
- Programming Languages: Python, SQL, R
- Machine Learning Frameworks: PyTorch, TensorFlow, Scikit-learn, Generative AI, Prompt Engineering, Retrieval Augmented generation (RAG), Data Engineering encompassing Optical Character Recognition (OCR), Python scripting, data scraping, crawling
- Tools and Libraries: MLflow, Pandas, NumPy, Matplotlib, Seaborn
- Other: Git, Docker, Jupyter Notebook, AWS, Google Cloud Platform
Years Experience
5 years
Previous Employer
Harper Adams University, German International Corporation and National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCOM), Carriage House, United States, Charis Invest and Consult, Malawi, Farm Concern International-GIZ MSME Loop Project, Malawi, Restless Development and Mastercard Foundation, Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania
Computer Software Packages
Python, R, SQL, SPSS, Arc GIS, STATA, Microsoft Suite etc.
Brief Profile
William is a 2022 Mandela Washington Fellow for The Young African Leaders Initiative who committed his time studying business in leadership under the theme “Agriculture” at the top 10th innovative institution in the world, Purdue University and a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Degree holder with multinational working experience in countries like the United States, Tanzania, Uganda and Malawi focusing on Data Science, analytics and research. William is currently completing a Master of Data Science for Global Agriculture, Food and Environment at Harper Adams University.
Countries Of Work Experience
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Malawi
- Tanzania
- Uganda
Personal Information
Date of Birth: 10/08/95
Languages
- English, Excellent, Excellent, Excellent
- Chichewa, Excellent, Excellent, Excellent
References
- Kristina Spantig, Team Leader-Empowering-Youth in Agribusiness, German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ), kristina.spantig@giz.de, +49 163 6328902
- Thembeka Simbeya, Chief Executive Officer, National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCOM), tmbeya@nycom.mw, +265888550654
- Richard Stewart, Chief Executive Officer, Carriage House Farm and MadHouse Vinegar Co., richard@carriagehousefarmllc.com, +1 (513) 582-1883
- Chifuniro Kandaya, Chief Executive Officer, Charis Invest and Consult, socialentrepreneurmw@gmail.com, +265(0)999488243, Lilongwe
Accomplishments
- 2020 MasterCard Foundation and Restless Development Youth Think Research Fellow Award.
- 2022 Mandela Washington Fellowship Award for Young African Leaders (YALI)-https://www.mandelawashingtonfellowship.org/fellow/william -banda
Certifications
- Reproducible Research Fundumentals-The World Bank's Development Impact (DIME)Department.
- Data analysis, visualization and Cartography - Certificate, Furman university.
- Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders-The Government of the United States
- Certificate of Drone and Data Technology Level 1- African Drone and Data Academy
- Certificate in MSME Business Training and Coaching Loop of Trainers and Coaches-1
- Certificate in MSME Business Training and Coaching Loop of Trainers and Coaches-2
- Certificate in Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Leadership
- Social Innovation Warehouse Capacity Building Program for young Innovators.
- Digital Opportunity Trust Impactathon – Certificate in Youth Entrepreneurship
Timeline
Part-Time Data Scientist
Harper Adams University
12.2023 - Current
Technical Advisor for Youth Organizations and Advocacy for Empowering Youth in Agribusiness
GIZ and National Youth Council of Malawi
10.2022 - 08.2023
Data Analyst - Professional Development Experience
Carriage House
07.2022 - 08.2022
Lead Researcher for Business Development Service Research
German International Corporation (GIZ)
01.2021 - 01.2022
Youth Think Tank Researcher
Restless Development and Mastercard Foundation
01.2020 - 01.2021
Business Development Coach and Trainer
German International Cooperation & Farm Concern International
01.2018 - 01.2021
Chapter Coordinator
Maestros Leadership Company
01.2016 - 01.2017
MSc Data Science for Global Agriculture, Food and Environment - Computer Science And Programming
Harper Adams University
Leadership In Business -
Purdue University
Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture - Agriculture
Lilongwe University of Agriculture And Natural Resources (LUANAR)
Malawi School Certificate of Education -
Chipasula School
Similar Profiles
Shaketta StewartShaketta Stewart
Registered Nurse at DMC Harper University Hospital/EDRegistered Nurse at DMC Harper University Hospital/ED
Daeja SmithDaeja Smith
Registered Nurse at Harper University HospitalRegistered Nurse at Harper University Hospital
Sundi BaylorSundi Baylor
Patient Care Technician at Harper University HospitalPatient Care Technician at Harper University Hospital
Joel AbrahamJoel Abraham
Business Services Associate at UHY Hacker YoungBusiness Services Associate at UHY Hacker Young
Mark CarpenderMark Carpender
Therapist at Zinnia Partial Hospitilization ProgramTherapist at Zinnia Partial Hospitilization Program