Hamza Zia

Ello!

I'm an MSc Advanced Data Science student at the University of Exeter, passionate about turning messy, real-world data into models and systems that actually solve problems. My work spans computer vision, deep learning, and classic ML — from building a drone-based litter detection system that helps city councils prioritize beach and park clean-ups, to developing a deepfake detection model with 85% recall for my undergraduate research.

Before Exeter, I worked hands-on with Python, TensorFlow, and PyTorch to build models for customer segmentation, employee turnover prediction, and dynamic pricing — several achieving 95%+ accuracy in production-style settings. I enjoy the full pipeline: cleaning and wrangling data, building and evaluating models, and communicating insights in a way non-technical stakeholders can act on.

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