Introducing Ensiyeh

Ensiyeh Javaherian Pour is a Digital Skills Trainer at MDAP, AI developer, YouTube star and is your friendly local Python code whisperer. She holds a Master of Science in Geographic Information Systems and is pursuing her PhD at the University of Melbourne. When not musing on the amorphous nature of time, Ensiyeh is passionate about accessible STEM and coding education, as well as the intricacies of pipeline development (no not those pipelines, the other ones!)

Tell us a bit about your career trajectory so far

So, my career journey? It's been quite the unexpected ride, let me tell you. Initially, I was all about GIS (Geographic Information System) – mapping, spatial sciences, you name it. Thought that was my jam. But guess what? Life had other plans. Headfirst into artificial intelligence and Python programming during my master's, and AI became the next stop on my journey. And I rocked it as an AI developer in the IT world for a period of time.

But hold up, there's more. Despite these wins, I still felt like something was missing. I had a burning desire to share my knowledge with others. So, I started teaching Python at my alma mater in Iran and at some companies. But that wasn't enough.

Enter YouTube. I started creating programming tutorials, covering concepts that weren't getting much love elsewhere.

And let me tell you, that decision? It's been pure bliss. Whenever I find some spare time, you can bet I'm back at it, recording and sharing whatever useful knowledge I can.

Am I done yet? Nope, not even close. See, I've always found learning, and teaching rewarding. It's like a secret weapon for diving deep into topics. So, I decided to take it up a notch and pursue a PhD. Now, I'm a PhD student at the University of Melbourne, diving into the world of 3D spatial and graph databases. Oh, and here's the kicker – I stumbled upon this awesome opportunity with Digital Skills Training, and now I'm stoked to be one of the trainers in MDAP. It's like everything's falling into place, you know?

Tell us about an interesting project you’re working on at MDAP

At MDAP, I'm the Python trainer, and I've got some great free Python workshops lined up throughout the year. Pretty exciting stuff! We’re looking to kick off training for 2024 towards the end of February.

And let me tell you, I'm pumped about the new topics I've picked out. I've been super careful in choosing ones that are not only practical but also easy for students to grasp.

I mean, Python's supposed to be the friendliest programming language out there, right? So, my aim is to make it even cooler by focusing on the most efficient and user-friendly parts.

Can't wait for the workshops to roll out! It's gonna be awesome seeing students dive into coding with such ease.

What are some of the solvable, difficult, or wicked problems on your horizon?

One of the most prevalent challenges for me is TIME. It seems like there's no shortage of problems around the world, but time? That's a different story. I'm constantly aware of the ticking clock, because time is one of those things that moves us forward yet always feels insufficient.

It's never enough time to spend with your loved ones, never enough time to fully focus on honing your skills, and never enough time to just be alone with your thoughts. Personally, I've always grappled with the scarcity of time in my life, and it's a struggle I'm sure many can relate to.

A particular source of concern for me is the fear of missing out on opportunities to spend quality time with my parents, to create cherished memories that will last a lifetime.

^{These are my wonderful parents. They both live in Iran, far from me. I wish that one day we can all live together again.}

Can you tell us about your latest adventure or next planned one outside of MDAP?

Sure! As mentioned earlier, I am a PhD student, and I am excited to complete the research I have started. However, in addition to my academic pursuits, I am also eager to broaden my knowledge base, whether it directly relates to my PhD or not. As long as it aligns with current trends and advancements in science.

I’m also passionate about growing my YouTube channel with more content. I have some plans in mind. I've gathered various important topics that are incredibly useful, but that don’t seem to have engaging tutorials. So, whenever I manage to carve out some spare time, I make it a priority to record new videos.

My YouTube, Dive into Python tutorials, covers rare topics, accessible for all levels with free resources. "Free for everyone, everywhere" is our motto!

Check out these videos. I had a tough time learning about this stuff because there just wasn't much good content out there. So, once I got the hang of it, I figured I'd make these videos to help others learn more easily. Hope they come in handy for you!

^{The world of 3D databases and CityGML with our comprehensive tutorial series!}

^{Unlocking GDAL in Python: Exploring Vector Drivers, Plotting Attributes, and Transformations from Polygons to Points – Dive into essential GDAL functionalities with step-by-step guidance.}

In the context of a rapidly evolving global environment and UoM’s research strategy, what would you most like to explore, challenge, or innovate in your work in the future?

Every bit of knowledge about the global environment is encapsulated within data, but this data lacks value without further processing. Personally, I specialise in pipeline data management, and you come to understand how crucial it is to analyse and process this data.

It becomes immensely beneficial when we prevent contaminant leakages from sewer pipes, predict maintenance schedules to prevent disruptions, and avoid damaging underground pipelines during construction projects. Its like construction engineering in the software and data space! Everything I'm currently involved in is intricately connected to ensuring the well-being of future generations by safeguarding our environment.

I've got a story that'll help you see how looking after the environment ties in with managing pipelines.

So, a while back, I found out about this situation down in Australia: mussel farms got messed up because of leaks from sewer pipes that went unchecked for a long time. It got me thinking, if we had more sensors on our utility networks and better management in place, we could've avoided all that trouble.