Jess Stow, our newest junior data scientist, has followed a truly unconventional path. Her journey into a data science career began, intriguingly, with Cape fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus), the only seal species native to the South African mainland. Her BSc Honours in Biodiversity and Ecology involved analysing the vocalisations of these marine animals. Prior to this, she completed an undergraduate degree in Marine Biology from the University of Cape Town.
After her research on Cape fur seals, Jess felt the need to reconnect with nature, particularly after the restrictions of Covid. The warm waters of Indonesia beckoned. Jess embraced two transformative gap years there. Besides surfing and diving, she also taught two teenage boys the Cambridge AS level syllabus in Maths and Science. This job piqued her interest in Computer Science, especially after one of the boys introduced her to the subject. Self study and an extensive stint in a data consulting company built a solid foundation in data science. She is now completing her Master’s in Data Science at the University of Cape Town, focusing on the intersection of ecology and data science, with reference to image detection.
Although Jess’s path to data science wasn't traditional, she is thriving in the field. “I’m challenged every day,” she shares. “There’s nothing stagnant about my learning curve.” She embraces the vastness of data science, where it’s impossible to know everything, and finds herself constantly expanding her skills.
What excites Jess most about her work is the opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives. “Truthfully, I’m not overly motivated by the idea of making someone more money. What drives me is being able to help someone, even someone far away who lacks the resources to help themselves. That’s incredibly motivating.”
But the work is not without its challenges. Data availability remains a significant hurdle. To answer critical questions – such as those about disease spread or creating a vulnerability index for populations – reliable, high quality data is essential. Another challenge is staying current in a rapidly evolving field. “There are always new models coming out – you can’t just learn the field once, and hope to stay current.”
Looking to the future, Jess is optimistic about the advancements in predictive modelling over the next two to five years but notes a crucial condition. “It’s imperative that there’s no monopoly of data,” she says. “Data sharing is undoubtedly the way forward.”
When not working or finishing up her Master’s thesis, Jess finds joy in one of her hobbies, particularly underwater photography or macro photography, which involves capturing extreme close-ups of tiny subjects. “I love escaping beneath the water,” she says. “It gives me a chance to forget everything happening above the surface.”
Jess’s unconventional journey, passion for discovery, and dedication to meaningful impact make her a valuable member of our team.
One of Jess's photographs captures a peacock mantis shrimp, small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, taken in Ponta do Ouro, a town in southern Mozambique.
A nudibranch, also known as a sea slug, measuring about two centimeters in size, photographed in Inhambane, Mozambique.
