Our BVS programme offers exciting opportunities for undergraduates – enabling them to undertake their first health data research projects. We asked Xinxu Li about her BVS experience.

Tell us a bit about yourself

I just finished my second year as a computer science student at University of Birmingham. Moving on to my final year this September means that I will have the opportunity to choose optional modules and focus more on my area of interest: artificial intelligence and machine learning.

I am interested in biomedical and health science field, thanks to my second-year AI module lecturer who frequently gave biomedical-related questions and sparked my curiosity in the field. Therefore, this will be a great experience where I can apply my skills and knowledge in a practical scenario and further develop new skills and knowledge.

How did you hear about the BVS?

I heard about this fantastic opportunity during my first year from one of my university’s career network posts. I was so excited about the project, but since I wasn’t yet in the middle years of my degree, I told myself to look for it again and apply next year. So, here I am!

What has your project involved?

Developing a Python Streamlit-based Randomised Controlled Trial Classifier Tool. Systematic reviews are essential in evidence-based medicine, providing comprehensive summaries of research studies on specific clinical questions.

However, they involve a huge amount of manual work, making it almost impossible to keep up to date with the massive number of research papers being published. Developing a reliable tool that can potentially speed up the screening process to classify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) from bibliographic records can not only reduce the workload, but lower the cost of manual study selection.

Why is the scholarship scheme valuable?

If you are struggling with your future career choices and are unsure whether to dive into research, this is a great chance to experience it, consider it, and find out!

What are your hopes for the future and will the BVS help?

Moving on to my final year makes me feel like I’m standing at a crossroads, deciding between entering the industry or continuing to hone my academic knowledge and progress into research. I thought about pursuing a postgraduate degree, but what about a PhD? Therefore, I am very thankful for being offered this position. It provides me with an opportunity to learn from research experts and explore my future pathway.

This scholarship was sourced through the EPSRC Northern Health Futures (NortHFutures) Hub. NortHFutures aims to enhance health and wellbeing across the North East and North Cumbria (NENC) region of the UK.

The hub facilitates responsible research and innovation in healthcare technologies supported by inclusive digital skills sharing, training, and making connections.

It takes a people-centred approach and is committed to humanising health-tech by championing equity, participation, and investment across the region.

NortHFutures is proud to partner with HDR UK and host the BVS interns across our consortium, and showcase the incredible strength we have in health and life sciences, and data science, in the NENC region.