Ben Wagstaff

Mathematics & Computer Science - Durham University
Optimisation Algorithms · Systems Architecture · Applied AI

About

Undergraduate in Mathematics and Computer Science with a focus on optimisation, structured evaluation, and system design. Interested in the interface between theoretical methods and robust implementation.

Experience

Kingdom Impact Summer 2025
Systems Intern · Workflow Automation & Reporting Infrastructure (CEO-facing)
  • Built automated reporting and document-generation pipelines (Excel/VBA, Google Apps Script, templated PDF outputs).
  • Produced real-world reporting systems with dynamic visualisations, structured data transformations, and audit-safe formatting logic.
  • Integrated workflows across Google Workspace, Salesforce, Supabase, Zapier, Make, and Power Automate - prioritising reliability and traceability.
  • Developed a scalable "document factory" converting survey data into branded, styled reports using HTML templates and script automation.
  • Experimented with AI-assisted reporting pipelines to generate tailored insights at scale.
  • Strengthened system-design thinking - focusing on clarity, automation, and scalable operational structure.
LCP (London & Cambridge Properties) Oct 2023 - Nov 2023
SQL · Databricks · Excel/VBA Automation
  • Collaborated with LCP's AI/data team in Databricks, consolidating multi-source datasets and supporting early-stage automation pipelines.
  • Built a ~500-line Excel/VBA automation system for Credit Control: data cleaning, lease-based grouping, ageing-bucket computation, and automated PDF export of customer statements.
  • Gained exposure to large-scale database architecture and Agile workflows.
LyricalLearning Mar 2025 - Apr 2025
C#/.NET · Azure · SQL · Deployment (2-person team)
  • Owned Azure deployment, database configuration, and frontend delivery; partnered on backend integration.
  • Designed and connected Azure SQL databases with secure authentication and environment-safe configuration.
  • Implemented CI/CD pipelines, structured logging, and DNS setup for stable cloud deployment.
  • Designed a normalised relational schema for multilingual lyric storage with structured SQL transformations.

Projects

Zero-Shot EEG → Image → Text Decoding

Linear evaluation of released BraVL features under strict zero-shot conditions. Identified EEG→Image alignment as the dominant bottleneck and achieved ~23% top-1 end-to-end across 1,854 classes.

Read Report (PDF)

Simplify - Personal Systems Hub

Modular dashboard integrating structured task management, knowledge tracking, and personal data tools. Designed around clarity, extensibility, and long-term architectural coherence.

  • Structured data layer with modular feature separation.
  • Cross-device oriented design philosophy.
  • Built as an extensible personal infrastructure system.

View Project

Collingwood College (CCU) Website - First Year Coursework

Designed and developed a structured college website prototype as part of first-year coursework. Focused on clean navigation, authentication logic foundations, and scalable layout architecture.

  • Node.js-based structural implementation.
  • Clear separation of layout and content components.
  • Emphasis on usability and extensibility.

View Demo on YouTube

Education

Durham University 2024 - 2027
BSc Joint Honours - Mathematics & Computer Science
  • Top 10 in AI Report assessment among cohort.
  • Top 10 in SAT Race (Python DPLL satisfiability implementation)
Monkton Senior School 2018 - 2023
A-Levels in Further Maths, Maths, Psychology & Music Technology
  • Grades: A*, A, B, C
  • Roles: Head of Charity, Academic Maths Tutor
  • Socities: Chess, Choir, Jazz Band, Orchestra, Rhetoric club
  • Music: Distinction in Grade 8 Guitar, Grade 6 Double Bass, Grade 5 Music Theory, Grade 5 Singing, Grade 3 Violin, self-taught Piano

About me

Outside work, I like to:

  • Write Songs & Poetry
  • Play Chess, Go, and most board/card games
  • Go Cycling, or do MMA & Kickboxing
  • Read! → Currently Reading
  • Hikes in mountains or take long dog walks
  • Spend time with family/friends
  • Learn languages! Currently predominantly studying German & Russian

Contact

benwagstaff343@gmail.com
github.com/Wagz28
LinkedIn