Dr Raoul-Gabriel Urma
Founder & CEO
Raoul holds a PhD in Computer Science from Cambridge University and was nominated an Oracle Java Champion for his contributions to the community.
He is an international speaker and best-selling book author. He has advised and worked for several organisations on large-scale software engineering projects including at Google, Oracle, eBay and Goldman Sachs.
Raoul holds a PhD in Computer Science from Cambridge University and was nominated an Oracle Java Champion for his contributions to the community.
He is an international speaker and best-selling book author. He has advised and worked for several organisations on large-scale software engineering projects including at Google, Oracle, eBay and Goldman Sachs.
Kevin Lemagnen
CTO
Kevin has led the development of data products for the energy sector and worked for the telecommunications industry at Qualcomm. He was also a visiting researcher at Stanford University.
Kevin has delivered data science and machine learning training courses to various clients from industries that include finance, engineering and research helping professionals leverage the latest techniques.
Kevin has led the development of data products for the energy sector and worked for the telecommunications industry at Qualcomm. He was also a visiting researcher at Stanford University.
Kevin has delivered data science and machine learning training courses to various clients from industries that include finance, engineering and research helping professionals leverage the latest techniques.
Hanadi Jabado
Chairman
Hanadi is a strategic leader with a track record of delivering change and growth in academic, corporate and technology innovative fast-paced entrepreneurial environments.
A passionate, committed and spirited professional, Hanadi’s experience in developing innovation clusters is globally recognised. She has helped set-up entrepreneurial ecosystems in the Middle-East, Russia and China.
Hanadi is a strategic leader with a track record of delivering change and growth in academic, corporate and technology innovative fast-paced entrepreneurial environments.
A passionate, committed and spirited professional, Hanadi’s experience in developing innovation clusters is globally recognised. She has helped set-up entrepreneurial ecosystems in the Middle-East, Russia and China.
Anthony Clark
Head of Training Solutions
Anthony has led and developed commercial teams, delivering growth and organisational change for corporate and startup businesses.
After completing a degree in Biotechnology and Strategic Management at the University of Edinburgh, Anthony managed operations, sales and marketing functionalities within the Food Retail and Agritech industries. He is a passionate leader, enjoying coaching others to help them reach their potential.
Anthony has led and developed commercial teams, delivering growth and organisational change for corporate and startup businesses.
After completing a degree in Biotechnology and Strategic Management at the University of Edinburgh, Anthony managed operations, sales and marketing functionalities within the Food Retail and Agritech industries. He is a passionate leader, enjoying coaching others to help them reach their potential.
Judit Gorog
Office Manager
Judit has 13 years’ experience as PA and Executive Assistant.
Before joining Cambridge Spark she worked for organisations like the University of Cambridge, Cambridge City Council and Cambridgeshire County Council as a Senior PA / EA. With a BSc in Economics and many different PA and Secretarial qualifications.
Judit has 13 years’ experience as PA and Executive Assistant.
Before joining Cambridge Spark she worked for organisations like the University of Cambridge, Cambridge City Council and Cambridgeshire County Council as a Senior PA / EA. With a BSc in Economics and many different PA and Secretarial qualifications.
Zaneta Sevcikova
Senior Programme Coordinator
Zaneta joined Cambridge Spark in early 2019. After finishing her studies and obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Taxes, she gained experience in customer service, administration, finance and marketing within several educational organisations.
She loves everything that involves travelling and exploring.
Zaneta joined Cambridge Spark in early 2019. After finishing her studies and obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Taxes, she gained experience in customer service, administration, finance and marketing within several educational organisations.
She loves everything that involves travelling and exploring.
Elisa Heinämaa
Senior Account Executive
Elisa holds a degree in International Business and Management from the Edinburgh Napier University and since graduation, she has worked in customer-facing roles for industry leaders such as Darktrace and Spotify.
After joining Cambridge Spark in early 2019 as the very first Account Executive, Elisa is helping the company grow by creating great experiences for current and future students.
Elisa holds a degree in International Business and Management from the Edinburgh Napier University and since graduation, she has worked in customer-facing roles for industry leaders such as Darktrace and Spotify.
After joining Cambridge Spark in early 2019 as the very first Account Executive, Elisa is helping the company grow by creating great experiences for current and future students.
Thomas Phillips
Business Development and Partnerships Manager
Tom originally trained as a tax accountant at a Big 4 firm, working mostly with fast-growing companies. Since then, he’s worked in a business development role, leading the firm’s work on helping UK scale-ups expand overseas and managing several key alliances as part of the go-to-market strategy.
He’s now excited to be exploring opportunities for Cambridge Spark to collaborate with even more innovative organisations around the world.
Tom originally trained as a tax accountant at a Big 4 firm, working mostly with fast-growing companies. Since then, he’s worked in a business development role, leading the firm’s work on helping UK scale-ups expand overseas and managing several key alliances as part of the go-to-market strategy.
He’s now excited to be exploring opportunities for Cambridge Spark to collaborate with even more innovative organisations around the world.
Christina Sevigny
Customer Success Project Lead
Christina has years of experience in Marketing and holds a degree in Business and Human Resource Management. Hailing from Canada, but now based in Cambridge she has experience in business development, digital marketing and graduate recruitment.
As Account Executive, she will focus on the careers and talent side of the business helping to bridge the gap between our students and business partners.
Christina has years of experience in Marketing and holds a degree in Business and Human Resource Management. Hailing from Canada, but now based in Cambridge she has experience in business development, digital marketing and graduate recruitment.
As Account Executive, she will focus on the careers and talent side of the business helping to bridge the gap between our students and business partners.
Zoe Wells
Coaching Manager
Zoe is passionate about working with those at the leading edge of business and technology and has coached and mentored individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, including teams at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School.
Zoe has a science background and advanced coaching qualification. She has worked in the education sector for over 8 years, primarily for the University of Cambridge and Cambridge Assessment working in Education Services, Teaching and Learning and Student Support Services.
Zoe is passionate about working with those at the leading edge of business and technology and has coached and mentored individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, including teams at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School.
Zoe has a science background and advanced coaching qualification. She has worked in the education sector for over 8 years, primarily for the University of Cambridge and Cambridge Assessment working in Education Services, Teaching and Learning and Student Support Services.
Daniel Hodgetts
Apprenticeship Delivery Manager
Dan has 15 years experience in working within the education, employment and skills sector. After graduating from the University of Derby in 2005 with a BSc in Music Technology and Audio System Design, he moved into training and coaching prior to working his way up through project and business management roles within the welfare to work sector before moving into Apprenticeships in 2015. Since then Dan has worked with training providers in supporting their mobilisation and growth strategies within the Apprenticeship sector. With a learner-centric and quality focused approach, Dan now heads up the Apprenticeship side of Cambridge Spark’s business with responsibility for achieving performance whilst offering a gold standard experience for all Apprentices who start with our company.
Dan has 15 years experience in working within the education, employment and skills sector. After graduating from the University of Derby in 2005 with a BSc in Music Technology and Audio System Design, he moved into training and coaching prior to working his way up through project and business management roles within the welfare to work sector before moving into Apprenticeships in 2015. Since then Dan has worked with training providers in supporting their mobilisation and growth strategies within the Apprenticeship sector. With a learner-centric and quality focused approach, Dan now heads up the Apprenticeship side of Cambridge Spark’s business with responsibility for achieving performance whilst offering a gold standard experience for all Apprentices who start with our company.
Kieran Garvey
Product Manager, Curriculum
Kieran has worked for over a decade in tech-enabled financial innovation; developing regulatory and FinTech data products, leading the creation of a FinTech education programme for regulators from 150+ central banks in 100+ countries at the University of Cambridge’s Centre for Alternative Finance, supporting businesses in raising £25m+ via equity crowdfunding and co-authoring 30+ reports on the global FinTech industry. Kieran holds degrees from the LSE and Imperial College London.
Kieran has worked for over a decade in tech-enabled financial innovation; developing regulatory and FinTech data products, leading the creation of a FinTech education programme for regulators from 150+ central banks in 100+ countries at the University of Cambridge’s Centre for Alternative Finance, supporting businesses in raising £25m+ via equity crowdfunding and co-authoring 30+ reports on the global FinTech industry. Kieran holds degrees from the LSE and Imperial College London.
Darren Vidler
Apprenticeship Compliance Coordinator
Since graduating from the University of the West of Scotland in 2009 with an Honours degree in Business Enterprise and Management, Darren has spent 10 years working in Further Education with a particular focus on apprenticeships compliance and funding. Additional exposure to training and account management roles, and undertaking an apprenticeship himself, has given Darren a rounded view of the journey apprentices undertake. With experience working for both startups and national training providers, Darren is responsible for ensuring our apprenticeship programmes remain compliant at all times, which in turn supports our gold standard learning experience.
Since graduating from the University of the West of Scotland in 2009 with an Honours degree in Business Enterprise and Management, Darren has spent 10 years working in Further Education with a particular focus on apprenticeships compliance and funding. Additional exposure to training and account management roles, and undertaking an apprenticeship himself, has given Darren a rounded view of the journey apprentices undertake. With experience working for both startups and national training providers, Darren is responsible for ensuring our apprenticeship programmes remain compliant at all times, which in turn supports our gold standard learning experience.
Raj Rajarathinam
Full-Stack Engineer
Coming from a background of Energy Data Analytics, Raj joined the company in 2018, and is developing the K.A.T.E application. He transitioned careers from an Economics field to Computer Science. Often talks about his dog.
Coming from a background of Energy Data Analytics, Raj joined the company in 2018, and is developing the K.A.T.E application. He transitioned careers from an Economics field to Computer Science. Often talks about his dog.
Samson Crocker
Full-Stack Engineer
Samson has a background in Physics and holds an MPhys from Durham University. After graduating he worked in an analytics role before moving into software development, building client-facing web dashboards for or a research consultancy in the sports, media and sponsorship space. He joined the team in May 2020 and is working on the KATE platform in a full stack role.
Samson has a background in Physics and holds an MPhys from Durham University. After graduating he worked in an analytics role before moving into software development, building client-facing web dashboards for or a research consultancy in the sports, media and sponsorship space. He joined the team in May 2020 and is working on the KATE platform in a full stack role.
Caroline Bleger
Front-End Engineer
Caroline joined the team in September 2018. Having studied Publishing, Web Development and Interactive Media in Cape Town, South Africa, Caroline has a background in graphic design and front-end web development, with a passion for UI and UX design. She now works on improving K.A.T.E. Always finding new ways to make the user’s journey as effortless as possible.
Caroline joined the team in September 2018. Having studied Publishing, Web Development and Interactive Media in Cape Town, South Africa, Caroline has a background in graphic design and front-end web development, with a passion for UI and UX design. She now works on improving K.A.T.E. Always finding new ways to make the user’s journey as effortless as possible.
Paul Cane
Learning Content & Project Creator
Paul joined the team in June 2019, having worked for several years at a sports betting consultancy as a data analyst, and helping design applications for live football data monitoring and prediction.
He now drives value by developing and refining our course content and creating new projects on the K.A.T.E.® assessment and development platform.
Paul joined the team in June 2019, having worked for several years at a sports betting consultancy as a data analyst, and helping design applications for live football data monitoring and prediction.
He now drives value by developing and refining our course content and creating new projects on the K.A.T.E.® assessment and development platform.
Ed Fincham
Research Engineer
Ed joined the team in February 2020, having completed his PhD in Machine Learning at the University of Edinburgh. He previously worked with us as a teaching fellow, but now contributes to our R&D as well as our commercial activities. His research focuses on behavioural profiling of students and building models to deliver interpretable insight for course instructors.
Ed joined the team in February 2020, having completed his PhD in Machine Learning at the University of Edinburgh. He previously worked with us as a teaching fellow, but now contributes to our R&D as well as our commercial activities. His research focuses on behavioural profiling of students and building models to deliver interpretable insight for course instructors.
Sahan Bulathwela
Senior Teaching Fellow and Researcher
Sahan Bulathwela is a PhD in Machine Learning at UCL. Before that, he worked as a Data Science Engineer at Skimlinks, where his primary focus was on building high-performance data pipelines for data processing and machine learning.
He holds an MSc in Computational Statistics and Machine Learning from UCL. For his master’s thesis, he worked with a Research and Advanced Development team at Cisco Systems to adapt machine learning algorithms to Cybersecurity.
Sahan Bulathwela is a PhD in Machine Learning at UCL. Before that, he worked as a Data Science Engineer at Skimlinks, where his primary focus was on building high-performance data pipelines for data processing and machine learning.
He holds an MSc in Computational Statistics and Machine Learning from UCL. For his master’s thesis, he worked with a Research and Advanced Development team at Cisco Systems to adapt machine learning algorithms to Cybersecurity.
Dr. Ekaterina Kochmar
Senior Teaching Fellow
Ekaterina is a senior research associate at the Cambridge University Computer Laboratory, working on Automated Language Teaching and Assessment (ALTA). She conducted her PhD at the Natural Language and Information Processing Group, Computer Laboratory. Her research focuses on compositional distributional semantics and the use of machine learning methods in educational NLP.
Ekaterina is a senior research associate at the Cambridge University Computer Laboratory, working on Automated Language Teaching and Assessment (ALTA). She conducted her PhD at the Natural Language and Information Processing Group, Computer Laboratory. Her research focuses on compositional distributional semantics and the use of machine learning methods in educational NLP.
Ricardo Monti
Senior Teaching Fellow
Ricardo is a Post Doctoral Research Associate at the Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit, UCL. He obtained his PhD from Imperial College London, during which time he also interned as a data scientist at Spotify.
Ricardo is a Post Doctoral Research Associate at the Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit, UCL. He obtained his PhD from Imperial College London, during which time he also interned as a data scientist at Spotify.
David Illes
Vice President at Morgan Stanley
David is a lead technologist working for Morgan Stanley’s Fraud Prevention Technology division. His main focus is delivering end-to-end analytics and AI solutions from model building to deployment, operating on a high-throughput real-time fraud prevention platform.
Previously he managed to bootstrap the department’s big data platform built on Apache Hadoop and Spark and was working as a technical architect on many projects on the areas of Trade Surveillance, Anti-Money Laundering and Regulatory Reporting. He likes reading, listening to weird music and learning about the next random thing he gets excited about.
David is a lead technologist working for Morgan Stanley’s Fraud Prevention Technology division. His main focus is delivering end-to-end analytics and AI solutions from model building to deployment, operating on a high-throughput real-time fraud prevention platform.
Previously he managed to bootstrap the department’s big data platform built on Apache Hadoop and Spark and was working as a technical architect on many projects on the areas of Trade Surveillance, Anti-Money Laundering and Regulatory Reporting. He likes reading, listening to weird music and learning about the next random thing he gets excited about.
Helen Hu
PhD in Statistics
Helen is completing a PhD in Statistics at UCL and The Alan Turing Institute. She holds a BA in Mathematics from University of California, Berkeley and a masters in Statistics and Data Science from the University of Edinburgh.
Helen is completing a PhD in Statistics at UCL and The Alan Turing Institute. She holds a BA in Mathematics from University of California, Berkeley and a masters in Statistics and Data Science from the University of Edinburgh.
Eugenia Shynkevich
Data Scientist at Deutsche Boerse
Eugenia is a Data Scientist working for Deutsche Boerse Group. Her main focus is on bringing machine learning solutions to the financial industry. She uses AI and NLP techniques to develop new products and improve internal processes. Her goal is to deliver end-to-end data science solutions from data acquisition to model building to deployment & operation. Since 2009 Eugenia worked for a broad spectrum of organizations ranging from large corporations such as Deutsche Bank to fin-tech start-ups to academic institutions. A committed professional with hands-on experience in machine learning, web development and data visualisation for the financial services and healthcare sectors. Elena is innovative and confident with a can-do attitude and outstanding communication skills.
Eugenia is a Data Scientist working for Deutsche Boerse Group. Her main focus is on bringing machine learning solutions to the financial industry. She uses AI and NLP techniques to develop new products and improve internal processes. Her goal is to deliver end-to-end data science solutions from data acquisition to model building to deployment & operation. Since 2009 Eugenia worked for a broad spectrum of organizations ranging from large corporations such as Deutsche Bank to fin-tech start-ups to academic institutions. A committed professional with hands-on experience in machine learning, web development and data visualisation for the financial services and healthcare sectors. Elena is innovative and confident with a can-do attitude and outstanding communication skills.
Ryan Griffiths
PhD Researcher in Machine Learning and Physics
Ryan is a PhD Researcher in Machine Learning and Physics at the University of Cambridge. Prior to this, he was a Machine Learning Engineer at Prowler.io where he worked on Bayesian Optimisation and Bayesian nonparametrics. He also holds an MPhil in Machine Learning and Machine Intelligence. Outside of the ML sphere, Ryan is a Fide Master in chess, a keen runner, and has recently taken up Latin dance.
Ryan is a PhD Researcher in Machine Learning and Physics at the University of Cambridge. Prior to this, he was a Machine Learning Engineer at Prowler.io where he worked on Bayesian Optimisation and Bayesian nonparametrics. He also holds an MPhil in Machine Learning and Machine Intelligence. Outside of the ML sphere, Ryan is a Fide Master in chess, a keen runner, and has recently taken up Latin dance.
Chris Tegho
Machine Learning Engineer at Calipsa
Chris is a machine learning engineer working in computer vision at Calipsa. His interests are in Bayesian neural networks, reinforcement learning, variational inference and computer vision. Prior to this, he completed his MPhil in machine learning at the University of Cambridge. Chris also enjoys planting and working closely with artists on their ML projects.
Chris is a machine learning engineer working in computer vision at Calipsa. His interests are in Bayesian neural networks, reinforcement learning, variational inference and computer vision. Prior to this, he completed his MPhil in machine learning at the University of Cambridge. Chris also enjoys planting and working closely with artists on their ML projects.
Marc Torrellas
Senior Machine Learning Scientist at Streetbees
Marc received a PhD with honours in Wireless Communications and Information Theory from Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), where he obtained his MSc. Since 2015, he has worked as a Data Scientist for Zhilabs in Barcelona, providing in-depth data analytics to telco providers; Darktrace in Cambridge, UK, providing ML-based cybersecurity services; Eigen Technologies in London, providing ML and NLP based products and services, focused on extracting unstructured information from legal and financial documents; and Streetbees in London, providing market research and insights into communities by leveraging ML and NLP concepts.
Marc received a PhD with honours in Wireless Communications and Information Theory from Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), where he obtained his MSc. Since 2015, he has worked as a Data Scientist for Zhilabs in Barcelona, providing in-depth data analytics to telco providers; Darktrace in Cambridge, UK, providing ML-based cybersecurity services; Eigen Technologies in London, providing ML and NLP based products and services, focused on extracting unstructured information from legal and financial documents; and Streetbees in London, providing market research and insights into communities by leveraging ML and NLP concepts.
Ashwin D. D'Cruz
Machine Learning Engineer at Calipsa
Ashwin D. D’Cruz is a Machine Learning Engineer at Calipsa. He holds an MPhil in Machine Learning, Speech and Language Technology from the University of Cambridge.
Ashwin D. D’Cruz is a Machine Learning Engineer at Calipsa. He holds an MPhil in Machine Learning, Speech and Language Technology from the University of Cambridge.
Alan Chau
DPhil in Statistics and ML
Alan is currently undertaking a DPhil in Statistics and Machine Learning at the University of Oxford. He has a strong research interest in Statistical networks, Kernel methods, preferential learning and Graphical Neural Network. His current project is on combining insights from nonparametric modelling based on reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces (RKHS) with spectral methods for ranking, in order to integrate contextual information with the pairwise comparisons, facilitating the extraction of latent structures behind preferential data. Alan is also keen on bridging the gap between advanced Artificial Intelligence research and the business world. From his experiences as an ML consultant and the former Managing Director of a student-run AI consulting group, he has developed a strong skill set on mathematical modelling, project scoping, team management and designing functional teams for projects.
Alan is currently undertaking a DPhil in Statistics and Machine Learning at the University of Oxford. He has a strong research interest in Statistical networks, Kernel methods, preferential learning and Graphical Neural Network. His current project is on combining insights from nonparametric modelling based on reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces (RKHS) with spectral methods for ranking, in order to integrate contextual information with the pairwise comparisons, facilitating the extraction of latent structures behind preferential data. Alan is also keen on bridging the gap between advanced Artificial Intelligence research and the business world. From his experiences as an ML consultant and the former Managing Director of a student-run AI consulting group, he has developed a strong skill set on mathematical modelling, project scoping, team management and designing functional teams for projects.
Alex Bird
PhD at the University of Edinburgh
Alex is currently finishing his PhD at The Alan Turing Institute/University of Edinburgh. His interests include time series, graphical models, Bayesian methods, deep learning and meta-learning. Small data problems perhaps interest me more than big data problems, and grey box problems more than black box. Alex holds an MSc in Machine Learning and Computational Statistics from University College London.
Alex is currently finishing his PhD at The Alan Turing Institute/University of Edinburgh. His interests include time series, graphical models, Bayesian methods, deep learning and meta-learning. Small data problems perhaps interest me more than big data problems, and grey box problems more than black box. Alex holds an MSc in Machine Learning and Computational Statistics from University College London.
Julian-Ferdinand Vögele
Data Scientist at Security Research Labs
Julian-Ferdinand is a data scientist at Security Research Labs, a Berlin-based cybersecurity consultancy, where he optimises cybersecurity strategies for companies around the world. Prior to this, he completed his MSc in Computer Science at UCL with a focus on ML and software engineering. Throughout his undergraduate in Germany, China, and the US, he specialised in social computational science and gained first-hand experience in data analytics at McKinsey and various tech start-ups. He is a scholar of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation.
Julian-Ferdinand is a data scientist at Security Research Labs, a Berlin-based cybersecurity consultancy, where he optimises cybersecurity strategies for companies around the world. Prior to this, he completed his MSc in Computer Science at UCL with a focus on ML and software engineering. Throughout his undergraduate in Germany, China, and the US, he specialised in social computational science and gained first-hand experience in data analytics at McKinsey and various tech start-ups. He is a scholar of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation.
Helena Andres
Teaching Fellow
Helena is an AI and machine learning research associate at the University of Cambridge, in the Department of Computer Science and Technology. She holds a PhD in Artificial Intelligence, an MPhil in Mathematical Networks. With background in theoretical physics and mathematics, her research combines complex systems, mathematical networks and deep learning. She is currently focusing on unsupervised generative models and graph neural networks. In her spare time she enjoys playing Ultimate Frisbee.
Helena is an AI and machine learning research associate at the University of Cambridge, in the Department of Computer Science and Technology. She holds a PhD in Artificial Intelligence, an MPhil in Mathematical Networks. With background in theoretical physics and mathematics, her research combines complex systems, mathematical networks and deep learning. She is currently focusing on unsupervised generative models and graph neural networks. In her spare time she enjoys playing Ultimate Frisbee.
Maria Pérez
Teaching Fellow
Maria is a Research Fellow at the AI Centre at UCL. Prior to that she was Research Associate at the University of Cambridge, a Lecturer at University Loyola Andalucia and a Research Assistant at the Spanish National Research Council and the University of Cordoba. She holds a PhD in machine learning, a MSc on intelligent Systems and a BSc on Computer Science. Maria is especially interested in the application of artificial intelligence for sustainable development.
Maria is a Research Fellow at the AI Centre at UCL. Prior to that she was Research Associate at the University of Cambridge, a Lecturer at University Loyola Andalucia and a Research Assistant at the Spanish National Research Council and the University of Cordoba. She holds a PhD in machine learning, a MSc on intelligent Systems and a BSc on Computer Science. Maria is especially interested in the application of artificial intelligence for sustainable development.
Jorge A Menendez
Teaching Fellow
Jorge is a PhD candidate at the Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit, where he uses tools and concepts from machine learning to understand how humans and animals learn.
Jorge is a PhD candidate at the Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit, where he uses tools and concepts from machine learning to understand how humans and animals learn.
Leigh Shlomovich
Teaching Fellow
Leigh is currently completing a PhD at Imperial College London in Statistics focussing on applications of time series analysis to network monitoring, predominantly for cyber security. Previously she completed her Masters in Mathematics also at Imperial.
Leigh is currently completing a PhD at Imperial College London in Statistics focussing on applications of time series analysis to network monitoring, predominantly for cyber security. Previously she completed her Masters in Mathematics also at Imperial.