Ajuna Azad

Biography

I am a data and genomics enthusiast who loves challenges, investigations and problem solving. Working a good decade with biological datasets to answer “why” and “how” questions, I developed a deep understanding of the critical role that data engineering and FAIR principles play in driving efficient and sustainable research.

This realisation ignited a passion for building robust data foundations and strategies to support scientific discovery. Consequently, I joined the Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (DTU Bioengineering) in 2023 as the Head of Research Data Management. Since September 2024, I have also served as the Senior Data Strategy Officer at the department

In this role, I design data infrastructure, data-lifecycle, develop tailored upskilling programs, and create data solutions for complex life science environments, including data architecture for our new automated life science lab (DTU Arena for Life Sciences). The effort involves developing and implementing ontologies to enhance data discoverability, integration, and reuse. Additionally, I lead and manage the implementation of a cloud-based data science platform on AWS, empowering researchers to develop and host advanced ML tools publicly, fostering a culture of open research

I majorly use R when I am busy with bioinformatics research and in addition I code in Python when working with heavier machine learning tasks on MS Azure or AWS. I love to learn diverse skills but more than that I am passionate to teach. I volunteer at ReDI school to teach data analytics and Azure AI. I do as much as I can towards activities that help to empower, ensure equality, equity and diversity to every aspect of life - be it in education, sports, jobs or daily lives.