Tell us a bit about yourself and your background

I am originally from Kenya, where I completed a BSc in health records and information management at Kenyatta University. Afterward, I worked in a health records office in Kenya before pursuing an MSc in health data science at Swansea University through the Chevening Scholarship.

During my masters, I interned at Haemochromatosis UK, where I researched the effects of genetic haemochromatosis screening on participants. I later interned with the HDR UK Black Internship Programme at UCL’s Institute of Health Informatics, contributing to various data science projects, including the Medical Information AI Data Extractor (MIADE) project, which involved developing an NLP system to convert clinicians’ free text into structured formats.

I also developed pipelines for mapping SNOMED codes within the UK Biobank repository, a key component of the prognostic atlas for clinical medicine project. Additionally, I worked as an R programmer at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine before returning to Kenya to join APHRC as a data scientist.

How did you become interested in health data science?

While working at the health records office in Kenya, my role involved collating and analysing monthly reports from more than 20 health centres. This process was time-consuming and repetitive, relying primarily on Excel sheets for data management. Frustrated by the inefficiency, I began exploring more automated approaches to handling data, which led me to discover the field of health data science.

I quickly became captivated by the possibilities offered by scientific programming, data visualization, and data mining. These tools not only offered more efficient ways to manage data but also opened the door to deeper insights and more impactful decision-making in healthcare.

This transition coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when the need for real-time data analysis and predictive modeling became crucial. The pandemic highlighted the critical role that timely and accurate data can play in guiding public health interventions and responses. At that moment, I realised that health data science was the path I wanted to pursue, as it combined my passion for data with the potential to make a tangible difference in healthcare systems.

What attracted you to the HDR UK programme?

When applying for the Chevening Scholarship, one of my priorities was finding an institution that aligned with my vision and long-term goals. During my research, I came across HDR UK and was particularly inspired by Andrew Morris’ talk on the benefits of health data access. His insights deeply resonated with me, reinforcing my desire to work in health data science.

Once I arrived in the UK, I immediately applied for the HDR UK Black Internship Programme (BIP). Through my involvement with the programme and the alumni group, I discovered HDR UK’s PhD program on LinkedIn.

What stood out to me about this programme, compared to others, was the foundational year, which allows students to engage in multiple mini-research projects while exploring their eventual PhD topic. This structure meant I didn’t need to have a fully formed research proposal upfront, giving me the freedom to experiment and acquire new skills. Additionally, HDR UK’s partnerships with other universities offer invaluable networking opportunities, making it an ideal environment for my academic and professional growth.

What are you looking forward to about the PhD?

I anticipate a transformative journey with this PhD programme one that is tailored to my personal and professional growth. It promises to equip me with a diverse skill set, immersing me in the complexities of health data research. Currently, I am engaged in a genomics project that explores the association between spatial cellular organisation and cancer prognosis using deep learning, a field entirely new to me. I am excited to acquire these new skills and, ultimately, establish the vital link between spatial cellular architecture and clinical outcomes.

I am based in the university’s Division of Informatics, Imaging and Data Science but am looking forward to collaborating across disciplines and participating in the specialised leadership programme. This will strengthen my ability to contribute meaningfully to the development of innovative healthcare solutions, preparing me to make a significant impact in the future of healthcare.

Do you have plans for the future?

When my friends ask about my future, I often respond cheekily with, “I just arrived”. While I have no idea what the next four years will hold, I am certain that this PhD will be a crucial stepping-stone for my career as a health data scientist.

I look forward to joining research groups and gaining experience in publishing scientific papers and applying for grants. My vision is to eventually return to the industry, where I can leverage my knowledge to tackle both existing and emerging healthcare challenges using data science and AI. I am excited about the possibilities ahead and the impact I can make in the field.