One Giant Leap: An Astrophysicist’s Journey into Data Science

Pursuing knowledge knows no boundaries, and embracing change can lead to extraordinary outcomes. 

Just ask data scientist (and astrophysicist) Maria Campos Varillas, who recently joined the Data Hub Team. 

From Stars to Earth: An Unconventional Path 

Maria Campos Varillas’s current career as a data scientist at Viridien is a testament to the power of human curiosity, adaptability, and continuous learning. 

Asked if she ever thought she would wind up studying what’s underfoot instead of what’s overhead, the astrophysicist had to laugh.

“It was a unique opportunity to come and work here, for sure,” she said. “But my journey has been non-traditional from the start. I began my studies in architecture before I moved to astrophysics. It was during my master’s degree that I started to dive deeper into data science and programming. The work appealed to me.” 

Data Science: A New Horizon 

Maria found a Ph.D. program in astronomy with a large component in data science that required her to complete a placement in the industry. That led her to a Pivigo Science to Data Science (S2DS) bootcamp position with Viridien for five weeks. 

“At the end of the program, Viridien offered me a job, but I had to finish my Ph.D. first,” she added. 

But Maria didn't forget about Viridien. Her first experience opened her eyes to the fascinating realm of geoscience data. Although it was a departure from her initial focus on the skies, Maria embraced the versatility of data science, realizing that she could apply its principles to any field. 

The second tour with Viridien was a six-month graduate program where participants could apply what they learned in the classroom to projects in a real-world setting. The program provided Maria with a supportive environment to learn and grow, offering invaluable tools and resources. 

After completing her Ph.D. program, Maria returned to Viridien in 2023 to continue her work as a data scientist. 

“I was excited to be back with Viridien,” she recalled. 

Cosmic Collaboration 

Maria focuses on honing her data science skills and delving deeper into areas like data engineering. Working alongside other professionals from diverse backgrounds, she thrives in an environment where knowledge sharing and mutual support are paramount. The camaraderie within the team fosters a positive atmosphere that fuels creativity and innovation. 

“The team is very international. I like that the people have different backgrounds and perspectives. We all learn from and encourage each other. There’s plenty of freedom to choose the techniques and skills you want to work on. We do fun activities, too. At lunch, we have foosball competitions,” Maria said. 

Daily work tends to vary greatly. One day might focus on deep dives into a dataset, and the next could involve collaboration with colleagues or building a new tool in Python. 

“Right now, we are extracting various geoscience data from documents, refining it, and loading it to the database, thereby generating valuable deliverables for our clients. Each morning, you organize what you want to achieve that day, break it down to what you need to do, and have meetings with other people to coordinate the work,” she said. 

Beyond her professional pursuits, Maria is a lifelong learner with many interests and hobbies. She enjoys dancing, board games, and outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking. Maria’s adventurous spirit extends to the kitchen, where she loves to experiment with baking. Her insatiable curiosity leads her to explore new avenues and embrace different experiences. 

Charting her Course 

Looking ahead, Maria aspires to continue her journey in data science, focusing on graph data science, machine learning and even AI. She aims to develop tools to enhance data analysis and contribute to cutting-edge research. 

“I’m working on a Python installable package that builds on a colleague’s work for the whole team to use,” she said. 

Limitless Possibilities 

Maria’s advice for aspiring data scientists considering a graduate program at Viridien is to stay motivated and proactive. Maria emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, collaboration and seizing opportunities to enhance one’s skills. 

“The program looks for candidates who are passionate and creative. They should be open to sharing their opinions and ideas and prepared to learn from others. If they aren’t sure about joining, I advise taking extra data science courses.” Maria said. 

When asked to speak directly to potential Viridien graduate program applicants, she stated, “When you’re ready to join the team, apply early! Viridien makes it easy to do the work because the environment allows you to grow and continue developing the skills you need.”

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