As South Africa commemorates Women’s Month this August, the spotlight falls on the accomplishments and influence of women in the data science field at Remote Metering Solutions (RMS). Lisa van der Merwe, a data scientist at the organisation, shares insights into her unique journey in the realm of data science, and how her background in engineering and statistics has helped her rise to the challenge in this rapidly evolving field.
While her roots lie in engineering, Lisa’s fascination for the intricacies of mathematical statistics gradually captivated her. Her brief experience as an educator, where she witnessed her students’ authentic inquisitiveness, ignited a pursuit of real-world applications of mathematics and science. This pursuit led her to the fascinating world of data science. In 2016, she embraced a data analytics role, and by 2018, she became an integral part of the RMS team. Over the subsequent years, Lisa has adeptly harnessed her synergised expertise in engineering and statistics to ingeniously address business problems with both innovation and pragmatism.
Lisa firmly believes that her dual proficiency in engineering and statistics has been the linchpin of her success at RMS. “Data science and statistics transform raw data to reveal underlying patterns, allowing us to better understand the challenges we face and the factors influencing them. Engineering applies mathematical principles and standards to solve these real-world problems in practical ways,” she affirms.
This distinctive amalgamation enables her to find inventive approaches to resolve business challenges and craft data-driven solutions. Lisa’s ongoing projects include practical applications aimed at combatting energy crises, which underlines the importance of understanding practical data science implementation for business success.
Essential Skills
“Having strong programming skills and a good grasp of mathematics and statistics are all vital skills to have when entering the world of data science. Of course, being curious is a given as you always need to be looking for new solutions to problems. Just because something has been done a certain way for many years, does not necessarily mean that is the right or only way to do it,” she says.
Lisa’s role at RMS transcends conventional data reporting; she is driven to provide insightful data intelligence and aims to grow the team’s capabilities from conventional data analytics to encompass the broader spectrum of data science. Her mission is to make a meaningful impact at RMS by leveraging her skill set to the fullest.
“By shining the spotlight on women in data science, it will hopefully empower more women to break down the barriers and grow into this male-dominated profession,” she says.
Her advice to fellow women aspiring to tread the data scientist path is grounded in courage – the courage to ask questions, learn from mistakes, and boldly challenge established norms.
“We must tap into the collective knowledge surrounding us. Our mentors, colleagues, professors, and other luminaries possess invaluable insights. Engaging in forums and meaningful interactions can not only facilitate women’s integration into the data science community but also substantially shape decisions and contribute to organisational success,” Lisa concludes.
