I presently work as a data scientist for a company that specialises in data integration in the agriculture industry. I work in the highly specialised modelling and analytics team meeting the diverse needs of internal and external clients, capitalising on my multidisciplinary background. I primarily programme in Python and SQL, and use Tableau and PowerBi amongst other tools, to create outstanding data visualisations, predictive models and interactive reports. I manage our successful internship programme and I have redesigned internal reporting for finance, project management and user interactions. Additionally, my code refactoring has resulted in runtimes being reduced 80x. A key part of my role is communicating my work to our non-specialised colleagues and our range of clients. I was seconded to Weatherbys Private Bank to kickstart their data science programme.
This page is a brief over view of the most important positions that I have held over the last 10 years. Along with my PhD, they have all helped me develop a collection of profession skills, which include:
Teaching, specimen based research, statistical analyses, data collection and management, training, project management, student support, course and module design, time management, research dissemination, comparative phylogenetic methods, morphometrics and biomechanics, travel planning and logistics, oral and poster presentations.
I was able to keep up my teaching while was doing my PhD. I demonstrated on lots of things, in labs, tutorials, as well as UK and international field courses.
Demonstrating in Peniche, Portugal and Lincolnshire Wildlife Park
Animal and Plant Health Agency (Defra) Support Scientist
October 2017 – March 2018
Support Scientist (Analytical Epidemiology)
In the Department of Epidemiological Sciences I provided support for projects that tackle diseases in the UK. I used VBA programming for access and excel to analyse data for epidemiological reports, in addition I contributed to several national and international publications as well as producing several sole author communications.
; Aston University
January 2017 – April 2017
Post-doctoral Researcher
I was the lead researcher on a project entitled Geometric morphometric analysis of G protein-coupled receptor structure. We won competitive funding based on both the potential impact of the project and my own research track record. I used specialised programmes to analyse 2D and 3D data.
Myerscough College, Preston, Lancashire
January 2011 – August 2013
Lecturer (Higher Education) Equine Science
This position was varied and demanding. I needed the ability to learn new skills and update my knowledge on a regular basis, to keep up to date with progression in the field of equine science. Working as module tutor, course tutor and dissertation supervisor meant professional skills like statistical analysis, critical literature reviews and research are part of the day to day role. I was in charge of the first and second years of the four degrees offered at Myerscough. Myerscough College is a land based college, and an associate school of UCLan. I was a part of the Periodic Course Review process, personally responsible for writing and validation of new modules across the degrees.
The range of degrees in the equine department meant that I often had to adapt my teaching style to the student and the topic. One of my favourite parts of the position was the supervision of dissertation students. I would work with them to develop their ideas in to research questions, and design and carry out appropriate methods, through to the analysis and presentation. My students worked on a range of projects, from physiology and reproduction, to the equine economy.
I was the lead for the departmental research, which was on athletic development of young riders. This was a completely novel research field for me. I managed this project from design to deliver. It required quantitative analysis of large data sets, it was successfully concluded when I presented the findings at two international conferences.
Tough Heart Riding, Texas, USA
October 2008- August 2011
Business Manager and Assistant Trainer
This was a role that I did both full and part time. I was responsible for the business management of a start up training facility. I also taught inexperienced horses and riders. This took a lot of self motivation and discipline. Making and maintaining professional relationships was a large part of what I did, in order to build up a lasting client base. My understanding of animal behaviour and biomechanics was essential.
Texas Fire Resources
April 2009-August 2010 (various)
Wildland Firefighter
I am a type II qualified wildland firefighter. This means that I can work on both wild fires and controlled burns. This is a job that needs excellent communication, team work, and rapid responses to changing challenges.
Hai Bar Yotvata
January 2009-March 2009
Reserve Assistant (Volunteer)
I wanted more practical working experience when I finished my MSc. I worked as a volunteer at the Israel National Park centre, near Eilat, in the Arava desert. The working team was a mixture of volunteers of different nationalities and experiences. We provided care for a range of native species, while managing improvement projects and public engagement.
Georgette the boa and Malka the wolf
Territorial Army
2003-2007
Officer Cadet
I funded my undergraduate degree by being an officer cadet in the Aberdeen Universities Officer Training Corps. I earned the Military Training Qualifications I and II, which are for discipline and leadership. I was part of the winning team for the first ever TA snowboarding champions. I was the first female TA snowboarding champion.
Publications
Research Articles
Penrice, S. and Deeming, D. C. (under review) Morphometrics of feeding anatomy in Stereospondyl Amphibians, Australasian Palaeontological Memoirs
Ataguba, G., Penrice, S. and Shearer, J. (2017) Exploring storytelling for digital memorialization, Communications in Computer and Information Science (CCIS) series
Penrice, S., Humphries, S. and Deeming, D.C. (in prep) Use of allometry of skull anatomy on the biological characteristics of extinct stereospondyls. Final draft to be submitted to Paleobiology.
Penrice, S. and Deeming, D. C. (in prep) Orbit position in extinct Stereospondyl amphibians was not a function of rostrum length, Final draft to be submitted to Palaeontology
Books
Penrice, S. and Ruta, M. (2017) Jaw structure and bite potential, In: A Multidisciplinary Perspective on Human-directed Aggressive Behaviour of the Dog and its Management. Ed. D Mills 5M Publishing In press.
Brigden, C., Metcalf, S., Mulford, S. Whitfield, L. and S Penrice (2016) Great recession impacts on the equine industry in the United Kingdom, In: The new equine economy in the 21stcentury. Edited by Celien Vial Rhys Evans. EAAP publication number 136
Conferences
Penrice, S. and Deeming, D. C. (2016) Morphometrics of feeding anatomy in Stereospondyl Amphibians, Paleo Down Under 2, July 2016
Penrice, S. and Deeming, D. C. (2016) Geometric morphometric analysis of skull shape changes in stereospondyls amphibians, Progressive Palaeontology, Oxford, May 2016
Penrice, S., Patterson, H. and Cox‐Rogers, J. (2013) ‘The efficacy of electrical therapies on increasing the stride length of riding school horses’, In Proceedings British Society of Animal Science Annual Conference
Penrice, S., Griffiths, L. and Miller, B. (2013) ‘Factors effecting semen parameters of sixteen stallions during two breeding seasons’, In Proceedings: British Society of Animal Science Annual Conference
Penrice, S., Brigden, C., Tinsley, S. and Martin, J. (2012) ‘Motivation and Development of UK Young Riders’, In Proceedings: International Society of Equitation Science, Edinburgh
Penrice, S., Brigden, C., Tinsley, S. and Martin, J. (2012) ‘Motivational Orientation and Support Perception of UK Young Riders’, In Proceedings: World Congress of Performance Analysis in Sport, Worcester
Keighley, J., Brigden, C. and Penrice, S. (2012) ‘The Efficacy of Two Cryotherapy Modalities of the Equine Distal Limb Post-Exercise’, In Proceedings: International Society of Equine Exercise Physiology, Chester
Education
PhD Life Sciences – Evolution and Ecology Research Group
2018 University of Lincoln
Supervisors: Dr D Charles Deeming and Professor Stuart Humphries
Functional Morphology of Stereospondyl Amphibian Skulls
Post Graduate Certificate in Education (Lifelong Learning)
September 2011- July 2013 (Part time); University of Central Lancashire
Thesis: Motivation in Higher Education
MSc Marine and Fisheries Science
September 2007-September 2008; University of Aberdeen
Thesis: Molecular analysis of the parasitic copepod Lenaeocera branchialis in the North East Atlantic
Taught Courses: Marine Ecology Field Course, Marine Environmental Science, Data Handling and Analysis, Geographical Information Systems, Aquaculture, Fisheries Management, Molecular Genetics
BSc (Hons) Zoology, Upper Second Class
September 2003 – July 2007; University of Aberdeen
Thesis: Genetic and phenotypic variation within a colony of the Northern Fulmar Fulmarus glacilis
Taught Courses included: Marine and Fisheries Biology, Molecular Ecology and Evolution, Parasitology, Wildlife Conservation and Management – Concepts and Practice, Animal Evolution and Biodiversity, Environmental Physiology, Animal Population Ecology, Animal Behaviour, Marine Ecology and Ecosystems, Aquatic Biology Conservation and Exploitation, Experimental Design Analysis and Presentation
Additional qualifications
Applied Data Science (Short Course) Oxford University
Python for Data Scientists Datacamp
Introduction to Stata University College London
WIldland Firefighter Type ii Texas Fire Resources
Military Training Qualifications I and II British Army
Full UK Driving License
