Welcome back to our blog series highlighting the 2024 cohort of Summer Interns at Population Data Science, Swansea University. Over the past two days, we have introduced 8 of our 16 talented interns, sharing their projects and aspirations. Today, we continue with the third group of 4 interns, showcasing their important work and the impact they hope to make.
Muslima Karimova
What were you studying before you started your internship?
I completed my studies in Computer Science at Swansea University, graduating with First Class Honours. The program equipped me with a strong foundation in programming, algorithms, and data analysis, which has been invaluable in preparing me for this internship.
What made you want to apply for an internship with Population Data Science?
I discovered this internship through my university and was immediately intrigued by the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in software engineering and data science. The Population Data Science team is known for their innovative work, and I wanted to challenge myself in an environment at the forefront of these fields. This internship seemed the perfect stepping stone to bridge my academic knowledge with real-world application.
Could you tell us a little about the project you are working on?
I am currently transforming a project from a traditional .net framework to React. This transformation aims to enhance the website’s interactivity and visual appeal, making it more user-friendly and efficient. The project has been a great way to apply my skills in a practical setting, and I am excited about the improvements we are making.
What skills do you hope to develop, and what outcomes are you aiming to achieve over the summer?
Throughout the summer, I aim to hone my teamwork and leadership abilities, and capacity for self-directed learning. I am particularly focused on mastering advanced web development techniques using ASP .Net, React, and TypeScript. By the end of the internship, I hope to have significantly enhanced my technical skill set and contributed to a successful project launch.
Do you have a career in mind at the moment, and how do you hope the internship will help you towards that goal?
I aspire to become a data scientist, a field that combines my passion for data analysis and problem-solving. This internship is providing me with crucial skills in software development and data science, which are essential for my career aspirations. The experience I am gaining here is not only refining my technical abilities but also giving me a deeper understanding of how to apply these skills in a professional setting.
Line Manager: Justin Biddle. Mentor: Hazel Lockhart-Jones.
Nancy Meligy
What were you studying before you started your internship?
I am a Public Health master’s student with a dental background. Currently, I am working on both my thesis and this internship.
What made you want to apply for an internship with Population Data Science?
For various reasons really, I wanted to get hands-on experience working on an ongoing research project among highly skilled researchers. Additionally, I am very interested in mental health and the use of data science in medical research, which is mostly what my internship project is about.
Could you tell us a little about the project you are working on?
I am working on a literature review of the correlates associated with transitioning from suicidal thoughts to suicidal attempts in pre-adolescents. It is part of an ongoing research that my team will conduct, and using the insights I generate will help them decide on what precise factors to investigate.
What skills do you hope to develop, and what outcomes are you aiming to achieve over the summer?
I am already learning a lot. I acquired skills in conducting collaborative research, also on conducting systematic reviews. Additionally, due to the topic of my internship, I am learning more and more about mental health. Working on both the internship and my thesis have also sharpened my discipline and time management skills, and it is both challenging and interesting.
Do you have a career in mind at the moment, and how do you hope the internship will help you towards that goal?
I am at a crossroads, I think. I know I want to work in medical research; I am very passionate about using data science in medical research. However, I am not sure if I should pursue work or a PhD at this point. I think I will be applying for a job first as I believe it will give me more experience that will help me know exactly what topic I want my PhD to be about.
Line Manager: Sze Chim Lee. Mentor: Amanda Marchant.
Neel Basak
What were you studying before you started your internship?
I recently completed a BSc in Human Genetics and Computational Biology from University College London.
What made you want to apply for an internship with Population Data Science?
I applied to this internship as it was an exciting opportunity to contribute to an end-to-end machine-learning project with real-world data. In the summer of my second year, I interned at a biostatistics department and simulated mock brain networks, which sparked my interest in neuroimaging and brain sciences. Therefore, this project with Dementias Platform UK felt like a natural progression of my previous experience.
Could you tell us a little about the project you are working on?
I am engaged in a project that employs explainable machine learning techniques to identify and validate biomarkers for major depressive disorder and anxiety. This involves analysing a diverse range of data modalities, including blood tests and neuroimaging data, to uncover key features that are informative for depression research. The primary objective is to discover novel biomarkers that can advance our knowledge of how depression and anxiety affect brain structure and functionality. Ultimately, the findings from this project could aid in the development of more effective interventions and preventative measures, improving outcomes for individuals affected by depression, anxiety, and potentially related conditions like dementia.
What skills do you hope to develop, and what outcomes are you aiming to achieve over the summer?
I am working with patient data on a secure, virtual research platform provided by DPUK. In my first few weeks, I have already gained essential skills in data pre-processing, building and optimising robust predictive models. I have also come to appreciate the non-technical aspects of health data research, including strategy, effective communication and interdisciplinary collaboration. By the end of the summer, I hope to further develop my Python and scientific communication skills.
Do you have a career in mind at the moment, and how do you hope the internship will help you towards that goal?
In the short term, I have a master’s degree lined up after this internship. While I don’t have a specific long term career plan in mind, I hope to continue research in the field of health data science.
Line Manager: Emma Squires. Mentor: Lewis Hotchkiss.
Nivethigha Elango
What were you studying before you started your internship?
I am currently pursuing a Master’s in Health Data Science at the University of Liverpool.
What made you want to apply for an internship with Population Data Science?
I was keen to gain practical experience in health data science. When I came across this internship program, I was impressed by the project scope and the achievements of previous interns. The opportunity to work on impactful projects in a real-world setting aligned perfectly with my career goals.
Could you tell us a little about the project you are working on?
I am working on a project titled “Clustering methods in Multiple Long-Term Conditions,” which involves clustering patients with multiple long-term conditions to identify groups of diseases leading to mortality. This project aims to uncover significant insights that can improve patient care and health outcomes.
What skills do you hope to develop, and what outcomes are you aiming to achieve over the summer?
I am currently learning to simulate data similar to that found in the SAIL Databank. I am also learning new clustering methods that will cluster based on outcome measures. This experience will help me develop new skills, including using research papers to find innovative methods and simulating data.
Do you have a career in mind at the moment, and how do you hope the internship will help you towards that goal?
I aspire to become a biostatistician. This internship provides a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience in health data analysis. The skills and knowledge I acquire during this internship will be crucial in achieving my career goal.
Line Manager: Roberta Chiovoloni. Mentor: Prof Rhiannon Owen.
For the latest updates on our Intern Programme, visit https://popdatasci.swan.ac.uk/about-us/summer-internship-programme/