Dr Kiel Hards
Epi | Senior Data Scientist
Kiel is a senior data scientist who builds cloud-native analytics pipelines and applies generative AI to real-time intelligence challenges. He has delivered national threat-monitoring platforms, automated global information feeds, and prototyped LLM-powered recommenders that surface critical insights faster. Backed by 45 + peer-reviewed publications and stewardship of multi-million-dollar research programmes, he combines scientific rigour with production engineering across Python, R and SQL.
Abstract
Overcoming technical bottlenecks in data sharing - the eDNAbridge R package
Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a powerful new tool for biomonitoring, biosecurity, ecology and conservation. However, the process to publish eDNA datasets into openly accessible repositories presents a challenging process that impedes open data sharing for the greater good. This talk introduces eDNABridge, an R package developed for the Ministry for the Environment in collaboration with GBIF New Zealand, Wilderlab and New Zealand data owners that automates the flow of eDNA results from laboratories directly into the global GBIF data repository. We present results from a pilot study, including over 4500 sampling results, and show how standardisation and automation can enable the timely reporting of complex data at scale to the benefit of a diverse group of stakeholders.
Workshop
Integrating AI in your dashboard
This workshop provides a targeted and practical view on integrating AI into existing R & Shiny applications to reduce manual effort, improve interpretability, and support better decision‑making. We explore how AI can assist users with data exploration, summaries, and parameter choices, while dashboards retain their critical role in providing structure, context, and repeatability.