The HDRUK-Wellcome Biomedical Vacation Scholarships (BVS) programme gives undergraduates the chance carry out their first health data research project.

The programme, aimed at students in the middle years of quantitative degrees, is a superb opportunity to work with organisations from across the UK, during their summer breaks.

We asked some of our 2024 scholars to tells us about their experiences.

Ella Park

Tell us a little about yourself

I am a third year mathematics and statistics student at the University of Edinburgh with a passion for statistics and data science, in particular in healthcare. I believe this field has significant potential for improvement through data-driven advancements to enhance patient experience, optimize resource allocation, and improve healthcare outcomes.

Why did you apply for the BVS scholarship?

This internship allowed me to explore algorithmic fairness in healthcare, a critical area of responsible artificial intelligence. It married my interests in healthcare and equality with my data science and statistical background. I was excited to get experience managing and analysing large datasets to identify disparities in the organ transplant system as well as collaborating with experts in the field.

What was the project you worked on and what did it involve?

I worked on identifying and analysing disparities in the organ transplant system. The project involved the complete research process, from acquiring and cleaning large datasets to conducting comprehensive statistical analyses.

I examined various variables from organ transplant databases, specifically looking at the rate of removal due to being “too sick” across different demographic groups to uncover disparities and biases in the current system. Using Python, I performed extensive statistical analyses employing techniques such as multivariate analysis, modelling, and machine learning.

I also created a range of visualisations to highlight inequities and effectively communicate the key findings of my research. Ultimately, I presented my work in a LaTeX poster that showcases the significant insights from my analysis.

Would recommend others to take part in future years and why?

This project has significantly heightened my interest in research, serving as an ideal introduction that is leading me to strongly consider a career in this field, along with pursuing a master’s or PhD in the near future.

It has also reinforced my passion for data science, especially as I’ve witnessed the tangible benefits and real-world applications of these techniques. Ultimately, it has confirmed my desire to work in healthcare, where I hope to make a meaningful impact.

How has the internship changed or facilitated your future career ambitions?

I would highly recommend this internship to others, as I have gained numerous valuable skills throughout the experience. My technical abilities have significantly improved, including my proficiency in Python, data visualisation, and understanding of machine learning and modelling.

Beyond technical growth, I’ve also enhanced my personal skills, particularly in communication and confidence. The opportunity to collaborate and learn from the individuals at Newcastle University has been an invaluable experience.

Xinxu Li

Tell us a little about yourself

I am a third-year computer science student at the University of Birmingham. My area of interest within the technology field is mainly artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Why did you apply for the BVS scholarship?

I really enjoyed my first and second year AI modules, while at the same time I am quite interested in the biomedical and health science field, thanks to my AI 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.

What was the project you worked on and what did it involve?

It is titled 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 amount of research papers being published daily.

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 amount of workload but also lower the cost of manual study selection.

How has the internship changed or facilitated your future career ambitions?

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.

Would recommend others to take part in future years and why?

I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is struggling with their career choices and unsure whether to dive into research or simply just like the field and want to try something new. This is a great chance for you to experience what a research career looks like and help toward your future career path.

Zara Passe

Tell us a little about yourself 

I’m a third-year maths student at UCL, eager to leverage my mathematical ability to solve complex challenges, particularly within the healthcare sector. I am fascinated by the potential of recent technological discoveries to drive advancements in medicine, and would love to take an active part in this going forward.

Why did you apply for the BVS scholarship?

With very little understanding of research and its varied opportunities within different fields, I was excited to discover the BVS scholarship. It seemed like the perfect opportunity for me to apply my technical abilities to make a meaningful impact. The projects aligned with my passions, and I was eager to learn more and get involved.

What was the project you worked on, and what did it involve?

My project was to create a data processing pipeline to transform 3D optical motion capture data into wearable sensor data for individuals with Parkinson’s disease.

This initially involved researching into Parkinson’s disease and its effects on gait, whilst familiarising myself with various softwares and programmes. This was essential to create an efficient and effective processing pipeline to process a large set of motion capture data into tangible 3D models of each subject’s gait.

Once the data was processed, we moved on to calculating gait features and parameters from our models. These results can be used by medical professionals to quantitively diagnose and treat patients with Parkinson’s disease.

How has the internship changed or facilitated your future career ambitions?

This internship has broadened my understanding of the numerous opportunities within academic research and academia. It has solidified my desire to work in health data and opened up the possibility of pursuing a research role in the future, including the potential of pursuing a PHD after my degree.

Would you recommend others to take part in future years and why?

I would definitely recommend this internship to anyone seeking a meaningful way to apply their technical knowledge. It’s also a great opportunity for those who are unsure as to what a career in research involves, and wants a hands-on experience to broaden their understanding while gaining support to develop crucial skills within the academic world.

During my time, I gained invaluable insights into data processing techniques and built a network of peers and mentors who encouraged my growth. This internship not only consolidated my desire to work in the health data field, but also equipped me with the skills and confidence to pursue further opportunities.