Meet the Team – Vatsal Patel
What does it look like to dive headfirst into hands-on learning, expand your technical skillset across disciplines, and contribute meaningfully to a fast-moving agtech company, all while finishing your Master’s degree? That’s the path Vatsal Patel is paving at Ground Truth Ag as a Data Science Intern.
What He Does
Vatsal’s main role focuses on evaluating the performance of Ground Truth’s AI models by comparing machine-generated grain grades with manual grading results from partners.
“I analyse AI results and compare them with manually graded data, then create portals and reports to help the team visualize the comparison. It’s about understanding how accurate our models are and how we can keep improving.”
But Vatsal’s curiosity doesn’t stop there. True to startup life, he’s been jumping into a range of projects, spanning from data analytics to full-stack development.
“I came in for data analysis, but now I’m also working with Brandon on a software project and building on my own projects. I’m learning in every direction.”
Why Ground Truth?
Before joining Ground Truth Ag, Vatsal worked at SaskEnergy, but was looking to learn more. “ At Ground Truth Ag, it’s completely different. I’m challenged, I’m busy, and I’ve learned so much from the people around me.”
What began as a co-op placement has grown into a part-time role alongside his studies, with plans to transition to full-time after graduation.
What He Loves About It
For Vatsal, the diversity of work and opportunities for growth are the most rewarding parts of being on the Ground Truth Ag team.
“This is a startup, so every day is different. I’m not limited to one thing and I’m getting real experience across multiple areas. That kind of exposure is rare.” And the learning isn’t just technical. He credits the team culture for fostering mentorship and growth: “Everyone’s really supportive. It’s not just about getting tasks done, it’s about improving together.”
Looking Ahead
Vatsal’s short-term goal is to transition from data analysis into model training and tuning, joining the machine learning team as he builds out his experience. “I want to contribute more to the model development side. I’m already learning a lot about how our models work, and I want to help improve them directly.”
Long-term? He’s excited to keep growing with the company. “Ground Truth is going places. I’m proud to be part of that journey.”
Outside the Office
When he’s not writing code or crunching data, Vatsal enjoys a mix of chill downtime and outdoor adventure.
“I watch a lot of movies and TV shows and right now I’m into Better Call Saul. I also really like science fiction and comedy.”
He’s also a fan of spending time with friends, especially when it involves getting outside. You’ll often find him at local spots like Regina Beach or Buffalo Pound, or at District 306, where he plays laser tag on the regular.
“It’s a fun way to hang out and get active. I go there a lot with friends.”
One Thing You Might Not Know
At first glance, Vatsal may come across as quiet, but that doesn’t last long.
“I’m definitely an introvert with new people. But once I get comfortable, I can talk for five or six hours straight!”
It’s something many of his teammates are starting to realize and as Vatsal becomes a familiar and chatty presence on the Ground Truth Ag team.