Meet Shahan, Data Scientist

by Shahan Silva

My name is Shahan Silva, Junior Data Scientist at Haleon, a consumer healthcare company based in London — fuelled by curiosity, innovation.

What were my aspirations growing up?

I was an extremely curious child growing up, constantly questioning the “How’s” and the “Why’s” of the world around me. I would often sneak into lectures at universities during my secondary school years and watch countless hours of science videos online. I firmly believe that understanding things at a fundamental level allows you to deeply enjoy the world around you. For example, how the high and low tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the eEarth and the moon and the earth rotating within that bulge, or how the colours of the sunset are caused by the Rayleigh scattering effect, which is when sunlight passes through the earth’s atmosphere at different wavelengths. This insatiable curiosity and thirst for knowledge is what propelled me towards obtaining my degree in science.

What is My Background?

My academic journey took me into the realm of Biomedical Sciences, where I specialized in Virology and Genetics. During my university years, I dedicated my time in researching viral glycoprotein epitopes for lyssavirus with the goal of developing rabies vaccines. I utilized models such as Chimera and SWISS-MODEL to create and design protein structures. This experience not only honed my research skills but also instilled in me a passion for problem-solving and attention to detail.

Why did I choose this career path?

After graduating, I found myself at a crossroads, with a need to differentiate myself in a competitive landscape. Data science emerged as the perfect intersection of science and technology, offering limitless opportunities for innovation and creativity. I saw it as a gateway to merge my background in science with the cutting-edge data analytics, allowing me to approach problem-solving from a novel perspective. However, since I was a complete novice in the field of data, I decided to start my career as a Data Analyst apprentice in Haleon’s Data Science team, which at that time was the consumer healthcare unit of GlaxoSmithKline.

What do I do day-to-day?

Now as a Data Scientist, I wear many hats. From developing methodologies supporting data analysis to integrating agile ways of working and project management practices. I am constantly expanding my skill set to meet the demands of the job. My technical expertise has evolved from supporting builds for inventory management, formulation modelling, and stability analysis to delving into natural language processing for text extraction. Currently, I am immersed in developing AI methodologies and supporting initiatives to raise awareness of AI within our company. My attention to detail, and the ability to take novel approaches to problem solving has not only allowed me to support multiple projects throughout the organization, but also to lead projects onmy own.

I also host a weekly knowledge-sharing forum for data scientists, featuring sessions led by internal and external experts. As the facilitator, I encourage discussions and sharing of new technologies and their applications within our team. This forum fosters a culture of learning and collaboration and helpus to stay updated and innovate at work.

Key Takeaways from my experiences:

• Your skills and experiences are what makes you unique. Whether it is a talent for drawing, photography or public speaking. Incorporating these skills into your work will set you apart.
• Approach every scenario as a learning opportunity. There is always something to take away from an experience; whether it is a success or a setback.
• The industry is data driven. But data does not make decisions, people do.
• Do not be afraid to ask for help when needed and offer help in return. We can go further by fostering a culture of collaboration and support.

How do I keep up with the field?

After completing my Level 4 Data Analyst apprenticeship, I decided to further expand my knowledge in Data science techniques, leading me to pursue a Level 7 qualification equivalent to a master’s degree and as a part of this programme. I have allocated 20% of my work hours for learning and research on Data Science and AI, and I then apply those learnings in real life use cases, supporting new and exciting projects.

Data science is a field where information and learnings are actively shared.There is abundant study material available on the internet for enthusiasts to explore.

At Haleon, I am fortunate to have access to many learning opportunities and resources and I am able to collaborate with senior staff and knowledgeable team members. Having worked across multiple squads, following agile methodologies has given me the opportunity to further develop my interpersonal and teamwork skills while building a solid foundation in data science.

What do you like most about working for Haleon?

I love working at Haleon for a multitude of reasons. I am surrounded by bright, passionate, and kind-hearted colleagues since the day one and it is an environment that celebrates diversity and individual strengths. Moreover, the leadership team is deeply committed to foster growth and development of each member of the team and constantly offers learning opportunities tailored to our objectives. Additionally, Haleon is forward-thinking company, always striving to drive innovation and living up to their core values. I feel not only supported and inspired to contribute to our shared mission of making the world a better place with humanity.thus making it an immensely fulfilling workplace.

My journey as a Data Scientist till this point has been a testament to the power of curiosity, perseverance, and love for innovation. As I continue on this path of discovery, I am excited to see where it will lead me and the impact I can make along the way.