Welcome to the second part of our 5-part blog series, highlighting our brilliant 2025 Population Data Science summer interns! Today, we are turning a spotlight to the next group of four interns, offering a glimpse into their creative and data-driven initiatives and the impact they hope to make.
Emma Discombe Short
Could you tell us what you were studying before you started your internship?
Before starting the internship, I completed my BSc in Population Health and Medical Science at Swansea University.
What made you want to apply for an internship with Population Data Science?
I saw the internship as a valuable opportunity to gain experience working in a research environment whilst being mentored by experts in the field. I was curious to know how data was being used in a real-world context, and it seemed like the perfect opportunity to develop my skills and get a better understanding of what a career in health research would look like.
Could you tell us a little about the project you are working on?
I am currently working within the ADR Wales Social Care team, which has a number of ongoing data acquisition projects that I will be involved with, including sharing the results of a nationwide priority setting activity and producing evidence summaries on the use of linked data research in adult social care.
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 course of the internship, I will be developing my communication and presentation skills through creating an academic poster and delivering presentations. I am also gaining experience working across multidisciplinary teams and contributing to discussions that link data, policy and service delivery. In addition, I will be building confidence in synthesising information and presenting insights in a way that is accessible to both technical and non-technical audiences.
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 currently considering a career in clinical psychology, although I have not yet made a firm decision. I hope this internship will help me explore other areas of research and ultimately decide whether to pursue frontline work or influence change from behind the scenes.
Line Manager: Tara Hughes
Eniola Folarin
Could you tell us what you were studying before you started your internship?
I am currently studying for an MSc in Public Health and Health Promotion at Swansea University, where I also serve as a Course Representative. Prior to this, I earned a degree in Human Anatomy from the University of Ilorin in Nigeria.
What made you want to apply for an internship with Population Data Science?
I was drawn to Population Data Science because of its strong focus on evidence-based research and real-world applications for improving health outcomes. I knew this internship would give me the opportunity to work at the intersection of public health, data, and equity, alongside experienced researchers. The Magenta team’s work in climate and maternal health aligns closely with my long-term interest in using research to inform and influence policy.
Could you tell us a little about the project you are working on?
I am working on the MAGENTA Project, a Wellcome Trust-funded research project investigating the impact of heat exposure during pregnancy on pregnancy outcomes. My role involves conducting literature searches to identify variables that may confound the relationship between heat exposure and pregnancy outcomes.
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’m hoping to strengthen my skills in public health research, report writing, and policy engagement. I’m particularly keen to improve my ability to communicate research findings clearly and effectively. I’ll be working towards producing a research output that contributes to the MAGENTA team’s work in maternal health and climate-related health impacts. I’m also looking forward to developing my interpersonal skills through collaboration with other interns and researchers.
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 build a career at the intersection of public health research, policy, and the implementation of public health programmes, with a particular focus on maternal health and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This internship is an important step toward that goal. It offers the opportunity to contribute to meaningful real-world research, gain practical experience, collaborate with experienced scientists, and observe first-hand how data and evidence are used to shape policy and drive decisions for the public good.
Line Manager: James Rafferty Mentor: Wally Abdeldayem
Eric Zhang
Could you tell us what you were studying before you started your internship?
I studied Human Sciences for my Bachelor’s degree, then Health Data Sciences for my Master’s degree
What made you want to apply for an internship with Population Data Science?
I was particularly drawn to the research opportunity focusing on AI and large language models in mental health research. This aligns perfectly with my academic interests and represents an exciting intersection of AI technology with meaningful healthcare applications.
Could you tell us a little about the project you are working on?
I am working on developing Large Language Model applications for neuroscience data discovery and pipeline delivery. The project involves creating a RAG-backed chatbot that enables users to understand, discover, and analyse existing data more effectively. The goal is to provide accurate and efficient responses whilst minimising hallucinations, making complex neuroscience data more accessible to researchers.
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 enhance my expertise in large language model applications within healthcare research, with a specific focus on gaining hands-on experience in RAG deployment. I am also looking forward to developing my skills in data pipeline optimisation and learning how to balance model accuracy with practical usability in research settings.
Do you have a career in mind at the moment, and how do you hope the internship will help you towards that goal?
My goal is to pursue further studies in large language models and work toward becoming an AI/LLM engineer. I am also fascinated by evolutionary algorithms in large language models.
Line Manager: Lewis Hotchkiss Mentor: Abdul Wafeeq
Euan Phillips
Could you tell us what you were studying before you started your internship?
I studied Computer Science at Swansea University, with a year abroad at City University of Hong Kong.
What made you want to apply for an internship with Population Data Science?
My friend was fortunate enough to complete the program previously; she spoke highly of the skills and experience she gained during her time with the team.
Could you tell us a little about the project you are working on?
I will be working with the software development team, utilising C#, Entity Framework, LINQ, and other technologies to develop tools that aid research.
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 test and improve the skills I have developed as a student in a real-world setting. I look forward to taking on some challenges and utilising my problem-solving skills. I am particularly interested in using GitHub in a real team environment.
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 working to become a software developer. This internship will provide me with a platform to showcase my skills, learn from my colleagues, and give me a project to champion moving forward.
Line Manager: Hazel Lockhart-Jones Mentor: Justin Biddle
For the latest updates on our Intern Programme, visit https://popdatasci.swan.ac.uk/about-us/summer-internship-programme/