Leif Azzopardi
Principal Applied Scientist at Microsoft
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
Summary
👤
Senior🎓
Top SchoolLeif Azzopardi is a Principal Applied Scientist and Associate Professor specializing in AI and Data Science with 13 years of experience building theoretical and data-driven models that predict and explain user behaviour in search and recommendation systems. He leads the Interaction Lab, developing metrics and models that reveal how systems shape people’s decisions and everyday interactions. Leif blends deep academic rigor—PhD and longstanding university appointments—with industry impact through roles at Microsoft, including a recent applied scientist visiting role and now a principal position. He is also an educator and hands-on developer, authoring the popular Tango with Django beginner guide and contributing full-stack code that underscores his ability to translate research into usable applications. Known for connecting human-centred insight with scalable machine learning, he brings a rare mix of user-focused research and production experience.
12 years of coding experience
14 years of employment as a software developer
B.Info.Sci (Hons I), B.Info.Sci (Hons I) at University of NewcastleDoctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at University of PaisleyPostgraduate Degree, Postgraduate Degree at University of Glasgow
Github Skills (12)
web-development10
python10
django10
cpp-templates9
html-template9
python-templates9
apptemplates9
code-templates9
html8
ajax8
javascript7
css5
Programming languages (4)
Github contributions (5)
tangowithcode/tango_with_django_19
Mar 2016 - Feb 2017
A beginners guide to web programming with Python / Django 1.9
Role in this project:
Full-stack Developer
Full-stack DeveloperContributions:210 commits, 5 PRs, 182 pushes in 11 months
Contributions summary:Leif contributed to the development of a beginner-friendly web application with Python and Django. Their work involved setting up the Django project structure, defining URLs and views, and creating basic templates. They also added category and page models, implemented category-based search functionality, and integrated a like button feature using AJAX. The user's contributions demonstrate a solid understanding of building web applications with Django, including both frontend and backend components.
pythondjango-frameworkdjangodjango-blogweb-programming
yusong-shen/tango_with_django-1
Sep 2013 - Mar 2014
Contributions:51 commits in 5 months
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