Smital Dhake, an Indian-origin data scientist, recently earned the title of ‘Newcomer of the Year’ at the Railstaff Awards in Birmingham, an event that acknowledges contributions to the UK railways. Hailing from Jalgaon, Maharashtra, Dhake pursued secondary education in England at Watford Grammar School and later returned to India to complete a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electronics and Telecommunications from Poona University in 2019.
After obtaining an MSc in Robotics from King’s College London and gaining experience with Qualcomm’s Embedded Systems group, Dhake joined Alstom, a global transportation specialist, at their Hatfield, Hertfordshire base in the UK. Working on behalf of the UK’s railways, she played a key role in developing the Modular Advanced Route Setting (M-ARS) system. This groundbreaking system utilizes machine learning techniques to analyze real-time data, predicting future events and facilitating faster decision-making, particularly in resolving conflicting train movements, ultimately enhancing railway efficiency.
Currently undergoing Network Rail product approval, the M-ARS system, once approved, is slated for implementation in prominent British projects such as Ashford, Cambridge, East West Rail Phase 2, and Victoria Phase 5. Alstom Design Group Manager, Mifaz Miftha, commended Dhake’s exceptional abilities, describing her as a fast learner and an asset to Alstom and the broader railway industry. Miftha highlighted Dhake’s meticulous problem-solving approach and critical thinking, emphasizing her contributions to innovation and sustainability.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Dhake serves as an inspiration to young women interested in engineering or STEM fields. Actively engaging in outreach, she dedicates her time to visiting schools, promoting careers in engineering and sustainability. In her spare time, Dhake also advocates for STEM, participating in Alstom’s STEM work experience program and supporting local schools.
The Newcomer of the Year runner-up, systems engineer Kalen Ruddock, also from Alstom, received recognition in the same category. Alstom, with a substantial presence in India, operates six industrial sites and two engineering centers, contributing significantly to the supply of rolling stock and rail equipment, particularly for metro rail systems.
