About Me
I'm a visiting Data Science Africa (DSA) Research Fellow, hosted at Centre for Data Science & Artificial Intelligence (DSAIL) in Nyeri, Kenya. I completed a BSc. Biomedical Engineering at Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya (Graduating July 2024).
During my undergraduate, I worked with Professor Ciira Maina at DSAIL in
Dedan Kimathi University of Technology , Nyeri, Kenya on developing wearable devices and computer vision approaches for monitoring recovery of orthopedic patients.
I also visited Marconi Research and Innovations Lab in
Makerere University , Kampala, Uganda, where i worked with Dr. Andrew Katumba
on developing Swahili speech recognition model,
and with
Dr. Jan Mikelson on breast
cancer hackathon preparation which took place at the University of Texas in USA
.
Additionally, I worked as a data intern at Talent Bridge Africa with
Stella Nzisa, senior market researcher,
and , Veronica George, business consultant, supporting clients with data-driven decision making insights.
I have also won over 10 scholarships to participate in person in international data science summer schools in countries like Ghana, Norway, France, Rwanda, South Africa. I am also an active member in communities such as KamiLimu, IEEE, Toastmasters, where I have organized events, lead new initiatives and mentored others.
As a result, I have gained interest in contributing to the development of machine learning solutions. Therefore, I'm building skills in mathematics, programming, and scientific communication, and interested in pursuing a postgraduate degree in Artificial Intelligence (AI) to contribute solutions to my community and beyond.
News
Data Science Africa, June 2024, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology
Inperson, Nyeri, Kenya | Part of the organising committee
Data Protection Hackathon, May 2024, Windsor Golf Hotel
Inperson, Nairobi, Kenya | Finished fourth position. Documentation -> Twitter
Deep Learning Indaba, September 2023, University of Ghana
Inperson, Accra, Ghana | Documented my learning and activities on GitHub.
Probabilistic AI School, June 2023 at NTNU
Inperson, Trondheim, Norway | Documented my learning and implementation on GitHub and LinkedIn.
IST-Africa, May 2023, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
Inperson, Tshwane, South Africa | Won (KENET) grant and presented a peer reviewed paper.
Data Science Africa, May 2023 at University of Rwanda
Inperson, Kigali, Rwanda | Documented my learning and implementation on GitHub and LinkedIn.
Breast Cancer Hackathon, March 2023, University of Texas Southwestern
Inperson, Dallas, Texas | Publish our work on Frontier and documented experience on LinkedIn.
Human Cell Atlas (HCA), Cell Atlas Meeting in Nov. 2022
inperson, at Sorbonne Université, Inperson, Paris, France | Documented on LinkedIn.
Hands-on Data Analysis for Metabolic Profiling, Nov. 2022, Imperial
Online, London, UK | Won an MRC full fee bursary to Complete the course
Data Science Africa, July 2022, Institute of Accountancy Arusha
Inperson, Arusha, Tanzania | Presented an orthopedic wearable device and documented on LinkedIn.
AWS Impact+ Hackathon, October 2022, Strathmore University
Inperson, Nairobi, Kenya | pitched and won the second runs up position
International Students Conference, October 2022, Kyambogo University
Inperson, Kampala, Uganda | Invited by IEEE as student panelist and documented on LinkedIn.
The George B. Moody PhysioNet Challenge, September 2022
Online | Collaborated with Bjørn-Jostein . Developed 2 deep learning models and presented at CinC conference.
FeatureCloud Hackathon, June 2022, University of Hamburg
Online, Hamburg, Germany | Documenting on GitHub.
19th International Summer School BIO-X, May 2022, Orthodox Academy
Inperson, Crete, Greece | Delivered the closing speech and documented my learning on LinkedIn.
Association of Medical Engineers of Kenya (AMEK), December 2021
Inperson, Kakamega, Kenya | Documented my presentation Linkedln.
IEEE Xtreme coding competition, October 2021
Online | Competed and awarded Certificate of Participation.
Polish Telemedicine and ehealth Society, Sept. 2021
Online, Warsaw, Poland | Collaborated with Prof. Doniec and Anghelo on a presentation on Telemedicine in Kenya, Peru and Poland.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
International Online Training | March 16th – July 13th 2022
Actively participated in the 14 lectures presented by leading professors and researchers of seven European universities from six countries on business basics, entrepreneurship, innovation, management and finance. Certificate of Completion.Digital Fabrication
Maker Space, University of Nairobi | December 2020
Took part in a month-long semi-virtual training on digital fabrication tools: 3D printing, CNC milling and Laser cutter. Completed the course by creating a 3D printed key holder. Certificate of Completion.Value Centered Leadership
DePaul University (online) | April 2020
Won a scholarship to study value centered leadership principles course. Some of the topics included; diversity and multi-cultural issues, managing conflicting values, creating leadership action plan etc. Certificate of Completion.KamiLimu Mentorship Program
Cohort 6 Mentee | August 2021 - May 2022
Among the 36 students selected for the 8 months award winning mentorship program. Mentored on professional & personal development, scholarship writing and public speaking. Certificate of Completion.Outstanding Community Engagement
KamiLimu Mentorship Program | August 2021- May 2022
Emerged as the cohort 6 mentee with the most community engagement in the local and global tech ecocystem during the 8 months mentorship program. Certificate of Excellence.Outstanding Attendance Rate
KamiLimu Mentorship Program | August 2021- May 2022
Emerged as the cohort 6 mentee who consistently showed up and actively participated in both the mentorship's program and beyond earning the highest attendance rate. Certificate of Excellence.Medium Feature
KamiLimu Mentorship Program | March 2022
Among the cohort 6 mentees whose experience at KamiLimu was featured on the organization's medium page.Newsletter June 2021
IEEE CASS | October 2021
Among the students who participated in launching the IEEE Circuit and Systems Society (CASS) Kenyatta University Student Branch Chapter being the first in Africa.
Directorate of Career Department and Mentoring Programs (CDMP)
Kenyatta University | January 2020 & 2022
Among the 14 students in 2022 and 16 in 2020 (postponed in 2021 ) who served in the committee organizing the largest one-week long annual event at the university that brings together high school and university students to meet and interact with both academicians and dozens of industry experts to discuss about career growth and development.
Experiences
Visiting Research Fellow
Data Science Africa | January 2024 - present
Developing a machine learning-based web application to enhance orthopedic recovery monitoring by accurately estimating joint flexion angles.
Designing Python-powered dashboards for effective visualization of orthopedic recovery data, focusing on joint flexion angles to aid clinical assessments.
Implemented robust data storage solutions using time series databases such as InfluxDB and SQL, optimizing data retrieval and scalability.
Visiting Undergraduate Research Assistant
Marconi Research and Innovations Lab, Uganda | January 2023 - March 2023
Developed a Swahili speech recognition model as preliminary steps towards building a more reliable, robust and autonomous patient-doctor documentation tool with the mentorship of Dr. Andrew.
Additionally, prepared and participated in a breast cancer hackathon challenge at the University of Texas
Southwestern with the mentorship of Dr. Jan and published a position paper on our implementation.
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Centre for Data Science & Artificial Intelligence (DSAIL) | February 2022 - April 2022
Designed hardware and software for monitoring of knee rehabilitating patients using an Arduino microcontroller and python programming language with the mentorship of Professor Ciira.
This work was presented at IST-Africa 2023 Proceedings in South Africa. Additionally, won a Mini-Grant award to further development and test the device in a clinic.
Documentation Focal Point
Uvumbuzi Tech Challenge | June 2021 - August 2021
Collaborated in a team of six, including Kakuma and Kaloyebei residents, in a 12 weeks research and development of frugal technology for low cost and sustainable cooking in Kakuma and Kaloyebei, the largest refugee camps in Kenya.
Logged the cook's team research, designs, and prepared progress reports. Used collaboration tools such as Google Workspace for all the documentation and communication.
After the challenge, I wrote a reflection of my learning and shared the results of our work on a medium blog and on LinkedIn.
Data Intern
Talent Bridge Africa | June 2020 - December 2020
Worked fully remote for seven months investigating and preparing reports on healthcare trends, with support of senior market researcher, Stella Nzisa, and business consultant, Veronica George, to support clients make informed healthcare investment decisions during the pandemic.
Updated the Talent Bridge Africa's healthcare database with thousands of data points from the research findings. Collaborated using online video conferencing tools and Google Workspace to successful completion of projects. Supported two other projects, on education, with data preparation and organization.
Gained a huge appreciation for the usefulness of data in supporting decision making. Recommendation letter.
Biomedical Engineer Attaché
Kiambu Level 5 Hospital | May 2019 - August 2019
Spent my only school break interning at biomedical engineering department of the hospital. Involved in installation of over 5 new pieces of medical equipment. Conducted over 50 rounds of medical equipment check, including visiting over nine departments at the Hospital. Took an active role in the planned preventive maintenance (PPM) of the magnetic resonance imaging(MRI).
Built troubleshooting and problem analysis skills in over the hundreds of maintenance activities done during my internship. Recommendation letter.
Projects
- Pitched Projects
- Practice Playground
Data science projects; including data wrangling, hands-on data analysis for metabolic profiling and other applications in Healthcare. Also, deep & machine learning implementation mostly using python.
Hardware and software implementation of a knee wearable device using Python and Arduino with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), showcased in Crete, Greece. (10th on list) and in Nyeri, Kenya.
Protype of an IoT software and hardware for automatic washroom door opening for physically challenged, pitched at KamiLimu. Documentation.
Pitching a medical app for fighting misinformation during the national RedBull Basement competitions 2021 in Kenya. One minute pitch video.
Hardware programming workshops, attachement projects, and class project on controlling a propeller, using Arduino.
Data structures & Algorithms implementations mostly using C++ and Python. And some unix bash scripting.
Skills
I hone my skills by focusing on techniques and methodologies first then tools second.
Programming Languages:
Python, C++, C, and MATLAB.Analytics & Data Viz:
Excel, Tableau, Dash, Matplotlib, and Seaborn.Machine Learning:
PyTorch, Pyro, Scikit Learn, Tensorflow, and Keras.Data Science:
Pandas, Scipy and Numpy.Collaboration Tools:
Git, Overleaf, Online video conferencing and Google Drive.Embedded Systems:
Arduino, PCB design software (KiCAD & Fritzing), and Circuit design.Digital Fabrication:
3D printer, CNC miller, and Laser cutter.Unix-based Operating System:
Linux kernel - Ubuntu.Community Engagement
IEEE
The world's largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity.
EMBS
The world's largest international society of biomedical engineers that serves as a central gathering point for the intersection between engineering, medicine and biology.
Peer Counseling
A community of Kenyatta University students that offers free wellness services to peers in campus.
AIESEC
A global platform that provides young people with leadership development, cross-cultural internships, and global volunteer exchange experiences.
Toastmasters Gavel Club
An international nonprofit educational organization that operates clubs worldwide for the purpose of promoting communication, public speaking and leadership.
Chair 2023, IEEE Student Branch at Kenyatta University.
Cohort 7 Peer mentor at KamiLimu & Peer couselor at Kenyatta University.
Sr. Administrator 2023, EMBS Students Activity Committee (SAC) & EMBS Student Mentorship Program Ambassador 2022 & 2023.
Founding President 2022, Toastmaster Gavel at Kenyatta Univesity.
Incoming Global Volunteer Sales Manager at AIESEC, 2022.
Testimonials
What people I have worked with say about me.
We would be happy to extend an offer of formal employment to Antony if he were ever interested in working with us. We are confident that any supervisor would be lucky to manage such a talent who would be a true value add to any organisation.
Veronica George
Head of Operations, Talent-Bridge Africa.Throughout the challenge, Antony Gitau kept up a positive attitude and work ethic, which was appreciated by both team members and tech challenge coordinators.
Prof Karl Blanchet
Inzone Academic Director, University of Geneva.I'm sure you'll do very well in a graduate program.
Prof. Ciira Maina
Director, Center for Data Science & Artificial Intelligence(DSAIL).Research
Broadly speaking, my research interests are in building explainable machine learning algorithms that have an impact in healthcare. Currently, I am working on developing pose estimation model for orthopedic applications such as recovery monitoring. I am also learning foundational mathematics concepts for machine learning and practising implementing them in PyTorch and Tensorflow. To grasp the concepts, I am reading, I spend some time writing about the lessons I learn on my Medium page. Here is my Google Scholar profile.
Select Articles
[1] S. Bjørn-Jostein, A. M. Gitau, J. Markus Kreutzer , R. Johan, B. Lars Ailo, S. Henrik, Phonocardiogram Classification Using 1-Dimensional Inception Time Convolutional Neural Networks, Comput. In Card., 10.13140/RG.2.2.22956.13440, 2022, pp. 1-4.
Paper with code
IEEE: CinC proceeding
Poster
ReseachGate
Blog
[2] A.M. Gitau, C. Maina. (2022, April). NeeFlex: A wearable device for measuring knee flexion angles in rehabilitating patients.
Technical Report
Blog
Poster
Find Me
When I am not seated with my laptop on a desk building my science craftmanship, you can find me;
1. With friends, walking
on the mountains, singing CL songs, or exploring different
culture & places.
2. Reading a book, listening to an audiobook, or watching a documentary, on finance, health, entrepreneurship, wellbeing, founder's memoir, or any piece I find
enlightening and fun! .
3. Playing checkers, chess, poker, or solving sudokus.
I love exploring new opportunities of learning and having fun. I'd love to hear your suggestions.