Early Years and Career Beginnings
Sowmya's foray into the world of data science began during her pursuit of a master's degree in computer science in the United States. It was during this time that she stumbled upon machine learning as an elective course, igniting her passion for the field. She honed her skills by applying machine learning techniques in various retail companies such as Nestle Dreyer’s and Starbucks, where she played a pivotal role in developing churn models and implementing associate mining and classification models for the gift card business.
Pioneering Data Science
Sowmya's dedication to data science was unwavering, especially during a time when the title of "data scientist" was not yet commonplace. She undertook self-learning of machine learning and deep learning, utilizing her newfound knowledge to make a tangible impact in her professional endeavors.
Impact at Microsoft
Her transition to the supply chain data science team at Microsoft Devices marked a significant turning point in her career. Here, she spearheaded efforts to integrate machine learning and deep learning into the billion-dollar supply chain, demonstrating her visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to driving business impact.
Contributions and Achievements
Sowmya's contributions to the field of data science are not confined to her professional endeavors. She has actively engaged in mentoring budding data scientists and has shared her expertise through guest lectures at esteemed institutions such as the University of Texas, El Paso, and the University of Washington. Furthermore, her research work has been recognized through publications, including papers on NLP, Deep Learning in Forecasting, Strategies and Impact for Data science teams in the International Journal of Computer Applications and other publications.
Recognition and Future Aspirations
Sowmya's exceptional contributions have not gone unnoticed. Her accolades include being recognized as "Women to watch out for in AI & Analytics – 2022" by 3AI, India’s largest AI community. Moreover, her commitment to advancing the field of data science is evident through her pursuit of making technology more accessible and interpretable, with a strong focus on research-oriented interpretability and explainability at scale.
Sowmya Kumar's journey stands as a testament to the transformative power of dedication, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of excellence in the realm of data science and machine learning. Her impact on the industry and her unwavering commitment to sharing her knowledge and expertise serve as an inspiration to aspiring data scientists and industry professionals alike. Sowmya's vision of driving decision-making through data-driven insights and making technology more accessible in plain language embodies the essence of a true industry leader.