Dr Ross Burton

Overview

Currently studying for a PhD in translational immunology and machine learning, I would describe myself as a passionate data scientist with an interest in the application of machine learning to diagnosis and management of disease. In my research I am using existing technologies, as well as generating new methodologies, to mine immunological data sets with the objective to uncover patterns that are predictive of cause or outcome in infectious disease (with a particular focus on acute severe sepsis).

I have a rich background with over 5 years experience in routine diagnostic microbiology, working for organisations such as the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, and Public Health England in Bristol. Whilst working for the NHS, I always addressed my work with a multi-disciplinary mindset, eager to apply my programming and technical skills to problems faced day-to-day. This ambition for problem solving pathed the way for my PhD studies and current activities, where I combine my biomedical background with data science expertise. During the COVID-19 pandemic I worked as a data scientist for the Department of Health and Social Care, where I was responsible for the deployment of epidemiological models that generate the R number. 

I am active in the open-source programming community and many of my projects can be found on GitHub. Notable contributions are: CytoPy, an open-source Python framework for the analysis of large and complex Cytometry data, and CHoRD, a research database for COVID-19 biomarker discovery.