Rishi Jagdev (PhD Computing, 2025)

Looking back at my journey since 2019, I’m incredibly grateful for my time at The University of Buckingham, which was made possible with a merit scholarship for my PhD provided by the School of Computing. I always wanted to pursue a PhD, a goal that was solidified during my master’s in computer science. The belief was strengthened when I had my first opportunity to present my research at a conference in Brazil and realized just how much I loved it.

Supervised by the brilliant Professor Paul Finn, I developed a novel algorithm using multi-objective optimization and generative models to identify and design drug candidates with multiple desired properties simultaneously.

Though it was my first time living away from home, the welcoming environment of the Computing department made me feel like part of a family. This supportive community helped me adapt and inspired a deep appreciation for the learning experience. I also benefited from the many academic and non-academic opportunities for my professional and personal development, and the soothing environment of Buckingham was wonderful for my mental health.

The transferable skills I honed are now the foundation of my career as a data scientist at one of UK’s largest retailer, NEXT Plc, where I tackle complex strategic challenges. I love what data and numbers can do to solve real-world problems and am committed to using these powerful tools to drive meaningful impact.