Hamza Zia

Ello!

I am a Data Scientist and Machine Learning Engineer currently pursuing an MSc in Advanced Data Science at the University of Exeter, England. My research focuses on detecting litter in drone imagery of UK parks and beaches using computer vision techniques, generating interactive hotspot maps to help city councils prioritise clean-up operations efficiently.

With a BS in Computer Science from the Virtual University of Pakistan, I have built a strong foundation across the full data science pipeline — from data ingestion and EDA to building and deploying predictive models. I am proficient in Python, R, SQL, TensorFlow, PyTorch, and Scikit-learn, and have delivered projects achieving up to 97% accuracy in real-world classification tasks.

Beyond academics, I have applied my skills professionally — automating a billing system that cut a 2-day process down to 3 hours, and volunteering as a Python Workshop Leader for ExCode, a Google Student Developer Club-backed bootcamp at the University of Exeter.

Education

MSc Advanced Data Science

University of Exeter, England 2025 – Present

Workshop Leader — ExCode

  • Assisted students in workshop sessions to solve Python programming exercises as part of ExCode, a free student-led 7-week Python Bootcamp.
  • Bootcamp backed by Google Student Developer Club and the UoE Computer Science Society at the University of Exeter.

Research Project: Detecting Litter in Drone Imagery Using Computer Vision Techniques

  • Capturing aerial footage of UK parks and beaches using drone-mounted cameras.
  • Applying computer vision techniques to detect litter in images and video frames.
  • Generating interactive hotspot maps to help city councils identify high-litter zones and prioritise clean-up operations.

BS Computer Science

Virtual University of Pakistan, Pakistan 2019 – 2023

Final Year Project: Deepfake Detection by Deep Learning Methodologies

  • Developed a deep learning model to detect AI-generated deepfake content in images and videos.
  • Achieved 85% recall in identifying face swaps and voice swaps produced by generative models.
  • Employed convolutional and recurrent architectures to analyse both spatial and temporal features.

Projects

Experience

Data Science & Machine Learning Trainee

Dice Analytics Feb 2025 – Apr 2025
  • Built foundational expertise in machine learning concepts, data pipelines, and statistical analysis.
  • Performed data ingestion and ETL processes to collect, clean, and structure raw datasets for analysis.
  • Applied Python programming for data manipulation, preprocessing, and analytical workflows.
  • Conducted data wrangling and exploratory data analysis (EDA) to identify patterns, trends, and data quality issues.
  • Communicated analytical findings through clear data storytelling and visualization techniques.
  • Explored datasets to support problem identification, hypothesis generation, and data-driven decision making.

Accounts and IT Officer (Hybrid)

AZB Colony Oct 2023 – Aug 2025
  • Designed and implemented an automated monthly billing system, reducing bill generation operations from 2 days to just 3 hours.
  • Oversaw daily accounts of the colony, managing bookkeeping, filing systems, and billing operations.

Convergent Graduate Academic Program (CGAP)

Convergent Business Technologies Aug 2023 - Sep 2023
  • Completed CS50: Introduction to Computer Science (HarvardX) as part of the program, establishing a solid foundation in core computer science concepts.
  • Developed proficiency in programming fundamentals, algorithms, data structures, and key computational principles.
  • Applied computational thinking and structured problem-solving techniques to analyse and solve programming challenges.
  • Completed rigorous coding assignments and problem sets designed to strengthen logical reasoning and algorithmic efficiency.
  • Enhanced ability to design, implement, and optimise solutions to complex computational problems.

Project Intern

Global Consulting Services May 2023 - Jun 2023
  • Learned and worked with BIRT (Business Intelligence and Reporting Tools) for report generation.
  • Gained hands-on experience in SQL for querying and managing databases.
  • Explored IBM Maximo, understanding its role in enterprise asset management.

Skills

Programming Languages

  • Python
  • SQL
  • R
  • HTML
  • CSS

Data Analysis & Tools

  • NumPy
  • Pandas
  • Power BI
  • RegEx
  • Git

Machine Learning

  • TensorFlow
  • Scikit-learn
  • Snap ML
  • PyTorch

Business Intelligence

  • BIRT (Business Intelligence and Reporting Tools)

Certifications & Trainings

Stanford University

  • Generative AI for Everyone
  • Machine Learning Specialization
  • Supervised Machine Learning: Regression and Classification
  • Advanced Learning Algorithms
  • Unsupervised Learning, Recommenders, Reinforcement Learning

Harvard University

  • CS50's Introduction to Programming with Python
  • CS50's Introduction to Computer Science

Dice Analytics

  • Data Science and Machine Learning

Kaggle

  • Introduction to Deep Learning