Serena Skov Campbell: A Brilliant Data Scientist, Physicist, and Partner of Aziz Ansari

The name Serena Skov Campbell has increasingly captured public attention not only because of her connection to acclaimed comedian and actor Aziz Ansari, but also for her impressive academic and professional journey. A highly accomplished data scientist at PwC with a PhD in plasmonics from King’s College London, Campbell exemplifies how dedication, intelligence, and passion can blend into a remarkable career. Beyond her technical expertise, she is a strong advocate for diversity in STEM and a role model for women in technology.

This article explores her education, professional achievements, honors, global experiences, and her personal journey, including her marriage to Aziz Ansari.

Education and Academic Foundation

The University of Manchester

Serena Skov Campbell began her academic journey at The University of Manchester, where she studied physics and earned her MPHYS degree in 2014. Her undergraduate and master’s level work was exceptional, supervised by none other than Professor Sir Konstantin Novoselov, the Nobel Prize-winning physicist recognized for his pioneering work on graphene.

Her master’s project focused on the permeation of gases through graphene and its potential applications as a gas barrier for conservation purposes. This work required intricate laboratory methods, including chemical vapor deposition, Raman spectroscopy, and designing experimental setups to test material properties. She earned first-class marks for both her research report and conference-style presentation, demonstrating early signs of her scientific brilliance.

King’s College London

From 2014 to 2019, Campbell pursued her PhD in Experimental Physics at King’s College London, specializing in plasmonics and nanomaterials. Her thesis, “Plasmonic Aluminium Metamaterials: Self-Assembled Hyperbolic Metamaterials in the Deep UV,” explored how arrays of nanorods could be fabricated and optimized for applications in ultraviolet plasmonics.

This field holds immense promise in areas such as biosensing, photochemistry, and quantum dot research. Through self-assembled electrochemical fabrication, she was able to tailor nanorod geometries and demonstrate tunable plasmonic responses. Her work significantly contributed to the understanding of UV plasmonics, a domain with both scientific and industrial impact.

Early Professional Experiences

The Royal Danish Consulate in Manchester

Before fully immersing herself in physics, Campbell served as a Consular Assistant at the Royal Danish Consulate in Manchester from 2012 to 2013. This experience highlights her Danish heritage and demonstrates her ability to navigate both scientific and diplomatic environments.

Teaching Roles

While completing her PhD, Campbell also served as a Teaching Assistant at King’s College London. She taught second-year practical physics laboratories and physical chemistry courses for undergraduates, sharpening her ability to communicate complex ideas in simple terms. This dual role as a researcher and teacher reinforced her passion for mentoring and shaping the next generation of scientists.

Honors and Awards

Serena Skov Campbell’s academic excellence did not go unnoticed. In 2015, she was a finalist in the 3 Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition at King’s College London, where doctoral researchers must present their entire PhD research to a non-specialist audience in just three minutes using only a single slide. Her ability to distill complex nanophotonics into accessible language further highlighted her talent as a communicator and scientist.

Professional Career at PwC

Data Scientist in Investigative Analytics

Since 2019, Campbell has worked as a Data Scientist at PwC in London, specializing in investigative analytics and forensic services. Here, she applies her technical expertise to tackle fraud detection, anomaly analysis, and large-scale data challenges.

Her work includes:

  • Quantexa SME: Leveraging the Quantexa platform for advanced analytics in forensic investigations.

  • Procurement Protect: Leading a year-long DevOps project to create an anomaly detection software used by FTSE100 companies to detect procurement fraud.

  • SQL & Automation: Designing SQL scripts for financial data analysis and building Alteryx workflows downloaded by hundreds of PwC professionals to save time on routine tasks.

  • COVID-19 Research: Applying clustering algorithms on 200,000+ open-source scientific documents to guide PwC’s HR policies during the pandemic.

  • Visualization Tools: Creating a Tableau extension with D3.js to build advanced visualizations like zoomable sunburst charts.

Her contributions underscore her versatility—equally comfortable in data engineering, machine learning, and advanced visualization.

The Twinkle ORBYT Mission

Between 2017 and 2019, Campbell also worked as a mentor for the Twinkle ORBYT space mission, a UK-based initiative enabling students to analyze exoplanet data. This role reflects her passion for astronomy and education, as she guided young students through real research projects.

Advocacy for Women in STEM

At PwC, Serena Skov Campbell is an active member of the Her Tech Talent initiative, mentoring young women and promoting diversity in technology. In recognition of her efforts, she was nominated for the 2024 TechWomen100 Award, an honor celebrating women who make a significant impact in the technology sector.

Personal Life: Serena Skov Campbell and Aziz Ansari

Meeting Aziz Ansari

Campbell met comedian Aziz Ansari around 2018 while he was living in London. Their relationship became public later that year when they were spotted together at the US Open.

Engagement and Wedding

In December 2021, Ansari revealed during a set at the Comedy Cellar in New York City that he was engaged to Campbell. He joked about their cultural backgrounds, with her Danish heritage blending with his Indian roots.

In June 2022, the couple married in a private ceremony in Tuscany, Italy, attended by around 120 guests, including actor Riz Ahmed. The event was widely covered in the media, but the couple has maintained a relatively low-profile lifestyle compared to Ansari’s celebrity status.

Serena Skov Campbell Age and Height

Born in 1988, Serena Skov Campbell is currently 36 years old (as of 2025). While her precise height is not officially documented, some sources suggest around 5’6” (168 cm), though this detail is less reliable compared to verified academic and career records.

A Danish Scientist at the Forefront

Serena’s Danish background is central to her identity. From her role at the Royal Danish Consulate to her global academic and professional journey, she represents a fusion of European cultural heritage with cutting-edge scientific expertise.

Conclusion

Serena Skov Campbell is far more than Aziz Ansari’s wife. She is a distinguished scientist, innovative data professional, and STEM advocate. Her career trajectory—from Manchester’s physics labs under Nobel laureate supervision, to PhD-level plasmonics research at King’s College London, to forensic data science at PwC—reflects a relentless drive for knowledge and impact.

Today, she stands as an inspiring figure: a scientist who bridges theory and application, a professional shaping global business practices through analytics, and a woman empowering others to thrive in technology. Her journey illustrates how brilliance in science can intersect with advocacy, leadership, and a balanced personal life.

WiderBlog.com

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