We are excited to introduce this year’s cohort of Population Data Science summer interns at Swansea University.
This summer, 20 talented interns have joined our teams and will be working on a range of exciting projects throughout the summer. Over the course of this 5-part blog series, we will be spotlighting our interns, sharing insights into their projects and aspirations for the future.
This year’s interns were asked to share a little about their projects and what they aim to accomplish during their time with us.
Catrin Duff
Could you tell us what you were studying before you started your internship?
I am currently studying Management Science with a minor in Application Programming for Data Science at UCL. This combination has given me a strong foundation in both analytical thinking and technical programming skills. I recently completed my dissertation on reducing hip fracture incidence in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, achieving a grade of 80, which sparked my deeper interest in applying data science to real-world population health challenges.
What made you want to apply for an internship with Population Data Science?
I was drawn to Population Data Science because it offered the perfect opportunity to put my data science skills into practice on a real-world project. Through my studies at UCL and my dissertation work on reducing hip fracture incidence in Welsh health boards, I have developed both technical skills and a genuine passion for using data to tackle population health challenges. I was keen to build on this experience and see how data science can be applied to broader health research that could make a meaningful impact.
Could you tell us a little about the project you are working on?
I am working on the HAPPEN project (Health and Attainment of Pupils in a Primary Education Network), which is a comprehensive primary school health network across Wales. HAPPEN collects data on the physical, psychological, emotional and social health of children aged 8-11 through surveys completed in schools. The project uses data linkage with routine health data through the SAIL Databank to understand relationships between health behaviours and educational outcomes, and provides schools with individualised reports to help them prioritise health and wellbeing initiatives aligned with the new Welsh curriculum.
What skills are you hoping to develop, and if you know already what output(s) will you be working towards over the summer?
Over the summer, I hope to continue improving my data science skills in R while developing my abilities in planning, analysis, and interpreting insights from complex datasets. I am particularly keen to learn how to design robust analytical approaches and translate data findings into meaningful conclusions that can inform population health decisions.
Do you have a career in mind at the moment, and how do you hope the internship will help you towards that goal?
I have recently completed an internship with Global Counsel, a strategic advisory firm that helps companies and investors navigate the intersection of business, politics, and policymaking. This experience sparked my interest in the applications of data science within policy work. I’m hoping that this HAPPEN internship will strengthen my analytical and data science capabilities, particularly in R and research methodology, which will be invaluable for evidence-based policy analysis and helping organisations make data-driven decisions in complex regulatory and political environments.
Line Manager: Michaela James Mentor: Hope Jones.
Christopher Dadson
Could you tell us what you were studying before you started your internship?
I am currently pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) with a focus on Global Health at the University of Nottingham, where I also serve as the Course Representative for my MPH class. Before this, I completed a six-year Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana.
What made you want to apply for an internship with Population Data Science?
My interest in Population Data Science stems from my experiences at the intersection of clinical practice, public health research, and community engagement. I have witnessed first-hand how data-driven approaches can transform health outcomes when they meaningfully incorporate public voices. The opportunity to contribute to enhancing Public and Patient Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) in research particularly resonated with me, as it aligns with my commitment to ensuring research reflects diverse community needs and priorities.
Could you tell us a little about the project you are working on?
I am working on Project 16: “Enhancing Linked Data Research Impact Through Public and Patient Involvement and Engagement (PPIE).” This project focuses on identifying best practices of PPIE across Population Data Science and raising awareness within the researcher community. My primary responsibility is to develop a comprehensive suite of resources to support PPIE in data science research, including best practices and examples of including PPIE in grant applications, creating effective PPIE plans and strategies, recruiting diverse PPIE groups, and successfully engaging with various communities. These resources would empower researchers to embed public voices throughout their research process, ultimately enhancing the relevance and impact of Population Data Science.
What skills are you hoping to develop, and if you know already what output(s) will you be working towards over the summer?
This summer, I aim to develop several key skills that will enhance my effectiveness in public health research and practice: Advanced stakeholder engagement techniques for involving diverse communities in research design and implementation. Resource development and knowledge translation skills to create accessible, practical PPIE materials for researchers. Strategic planning and project management capabilities within research environments. A deeper understanding of UK Standards for Public Involvement and their practical application. Evaluation methodologies to assess the effectiveness of PPIE initiatives. Over the next three months, I will work on creating a comprehensive PPIE resource toolkit that researchers can readily implement, providing clear guidance on best practices at each stage of the research process.
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 passionate about establishing a research and policy centre focused on health equity and evidence-based policymaking, particularly for underserved populations. My vision is to create an institution that bridges the gap between academic research, community needs, and policy implementation, ensuring that public and patient voices are central to health system reforms. This internship is a crucial step toward that goal. Also, by developing best-practice resources for Public and Patient Involvement and Engagement (PPIE), I will gain hands-on experience in stakeholder engagement, resource creation, and collaborative project management. These skills, along with exposure to the UK Standards for Public Involvement, will equip me to design participatory frameworks and lead multidisciplinary teams in my future centre, ultimately driving impactful policy change.
Line Manager: Claire Newman Mentor: Alysha Morgan
Ella Missenden
Could you tell us what you were studying before you started your internship?
I have just finished my second year at Bristol University, where I study Geography.
What made you want to apply for an internship with Population Data Science?
It seemed like the perfect opportunity to gain experience working with real-world data, and I wanted to gain new skills that I will use in my final year of university.
Could you tell us a little about the project you are working on?
The project involves looking at the role new 20mph roads have on the impacts of traffic injuries for children. Using Geographical information systems to link street network data and STATS19 data in Wales.
What skills are you hoping to develop, and if you know already what output(s) will you be working towards over the summer?
I hope to improve my confidence when presenting my own work, and I would also like to improve my skills in data analysis and presentation, as these skills will be vital for me in my final year of university.
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 not yet sure what I would like to do in the future; however, I hope this internship will prepare me for whatever role I choose by improving my confidence and enhancing my CV.
Line Manager: Theodora Pouliou Mentor: Oliver Thwaites
Emma Briggs
Could you tell us what you were studying before you started your internship?
I was completing my PhD (still in progress) in AI and Data Science for Cancer Detection and Diagnosis at the University of Leeds, specifically investigating the early detection of oesophago-gastric cancer in primary care using artificial intelligence techniques with large-scale, linked electronic health record data. Before this, I completed an MMedSci/MSc in Health Informatics.
What made you want to apply for an internship with Population Data Science?
I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with SAIL Databank data before, so I was aware of the great potential of these data to explore a wide range of research questions leveraging linked population and health data; specifically in my case, relating to cancer diagnosis. With the internship, I was interested in the opportunity to work on adjacent but distinct problems related to this area and my previous experience. My internship project allows me to explore socio-demographic factors in access to cancer diagnosis in more depth. Being able to work on a project close to my current research but different enough that I could expand my research areas and network with a new team at Swansea were the main advantages for me. Going forward, I would like to focus more on health equity and make this a priority in my research career, so this seemed like the perfect opportunity.
Could you tell us a little about the project you are working on?
I am investigating the socio-demographic factors affecting access to cancer diagnosis, and (time permitting) the subsequent impact this has on cancer outcomes. This will utilise a variety of data available in the SAIL Databank, including census data to obtain demographic-related information and cancer registry data to obtain diagnostic, screening, and staging variables, for example. I am currently conducting a brief literature review to refine my main research question(s), ensuring that they are relevant, novel, and impactful.
What skills are you hoping to develop, and if you know already what output(s) will you be working towards over the summer?
I aim to build more confidence in my research, expand my research areas, learn more about socio-demographic factors that affect cancer patients’ journeys, and become accustomed to working on shorter projects with a steeper learning curve. The ideal goal will be to identify key socio-demographic factors affecting access to cancer diagnosis, and to gain insight into how these factors might impact the timeliness of diagnosis, as well as prognostic metrics such as mortality and quality of life, which could inform clinical practice and interventions aimed at achieving health equity.
Do you have a career in mind at the moment, and how do you hope the internship will help you towards that goal?
I hope to continue a research career in health data science, potentially focusing on cancer diagnosis, fairness, and health equity, or both. I am still undecided about whether I will remain in academia or pursue public sector health data analysis work in a similar area, such as helping to inform policy and interventions more directly. My overall goal is to contribute to the use of health data analysis for the public good, minimising harms and streamlining processes to make healthcare delivery more efficient, effective, and inclusive.
Line Manager: Roberta Chiovoloni Mentor: Sarah Aldridge
For the latest updates on our Intern Programme, visit https://popdatasci.swan.ac.uk/about-us/summer-internship-programme/