I'm currently a Senior Research Data Scientist at The Alan Turing Institute's Defence AI Research Centre, where I work on applying AI and machine learning to complex defence challenges. My main focus is on Space Object Behavioural analysis.

My background is in the intersection of mathematics, statistics, and developmental neurobiology. I did my PhD using deep neural networks to study brain development. That work gave me solid understanding of applying neural nets and ML to noisy, real-world problems where clean solutions don't usually exist.

I've spent several years now working in Python, starting from TensorFlow (which was the style at the time) and more recently PyTorch and JAX.

Beyond research, I've mentored PhD, Master's, and undergraduate students on machine learning, mathematical modelling, and data/model security projects.

I present regularly at conferences, to stakeholders, wherever the work needs explaining. Most recently at OFEME2025

What I work with

• Deep learning (TensorFlow/Keras, PyTorch, some JAX)
• Classical ML (scikit-learn)
• Hyperparameter tuning and optimisation (mostly optuna these days)
• Linux HPC systems (e.g., JADE 2, Baskerville)

Current interests

• Multimodal learning
• Feature extraction
• Physics-informed neural networks
• Biologically inspired ML

Feel free to get in touch if you'd like to chat about any of this.

Contact me at: ian@ianbgroves.com