Adnan Khan

Adnan Khan has always been passionate about using data and technology to tackle real-world environmental challenges. When he discovered the opportunity to apply machine learning to predict soil properties and create practical tools for farmers and policymakers, a PhD at Abertay felt like the perfect way to combine his interests in engineering, data science, and sustainability. 

Before starting his PhD, Adnan had a strong technical foundation. He completed a master’s in Modelling and Simulation and a bachelor’s in engineering, gaining experience in data analysis, sensors, and predictive modelling. That background made it natural to move into applying machine learning to soil science.

Abertay stood out for its strong emphasis on applied research and its collaborative culture, with the opportunity to work closely alongside experts at the James Hutton Institute and other partners playing a key role in his decision. 

The most rewarding part of his PhD has been seeing his work move beyond theory. He said:

Developing a smartphone app and high-resolution soil maps, then presenting them to estate farmers and knowing they could use these outputs in the field—that was incredibly satisfying.

His thesis focused on predicting soil properties using machine learning and delivering those predictions through a mobile app. By combining 250 field samples from across Scotland with environmental and remote sensing data, he built models that generated 10-metre resolution maps for key soil properties such as pH, bulk density, and carbon. These maps were integrated into an app, enabling users to estimate soil health using location data and soil images directly from their phone.

Support from Abertay staff was invaluable. He said:

My supervisors were approachable and gave me the freedom to explore my ideas while providing guidance when needed/ The Graduate School and technical staff were also extremely helpful with data, software, and practical aspects.

Managing large and complex datasets was one of the biggest challenges, and working with geospatial data under computational constraints pushed him to learn new tools and optimise workflows. Balancing fieldwork, lab work, and coding was demanding, but it strengthened his organisation and resilience.

After graduating, Adnan joined the James Hutton Institute as a GIS and Spatial Analyst, where he now contributes to multiple projects, including fire risk mapping across Scotland. His PhD equipped him with a strong mix of technical and transferable skills—machine learning, geospatial analysis, app development, and project management.

His advice to future students?

Be proactive and treat your project like your own mini-startup. Talk to your supervisors often, but take ownership of your work. Build good data and coding practices early, and don’t hesitate to ask for help—people are always willing to support you. And most importantly, think about who will use your research and how you can make it useful.