Welcome to the fourth part of our intern spotlight series!
Today, we are highlighting another exceptional group of Population Data Science summer interns, each working on meaningful projects across a range of disciplines. They share their goals, the skills they are developing, and how they hope this experience will shape their future careers in data science and beyond.
Maureen Ng’etich
Could you tell us what you were studying before you started your internship?
I studied an MSc in Health Data Science. My academic background involved exploring data analysis, public health, and using data to support evidence-based decision-making.
What made you want to apply for an internship with Population Data Science?
I wanted to gain real-world experience using data to tackle complex health and societal challenges. The opportunity to work with experts in the field and contribute to projects that have a real-world impact was a key motivation.
Could you tell us a little about the project you are working on?
I am working on a project that uses data from the SAIL Databank to explore Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs). The aim is to better understand patterns and factors associated with these infections using large-scale anonymised health data.
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 will focus on developing practical data analysis skills using SQL and R. I am keen to strengthen my ability to work with real-world health data, from data extraction to interpretation. I also hope to improve my understanding of how data can inform public 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 am interested in a career where I can use data to make a positive difference, whether in public health, healthcare research, or policy development. This internship is an excellent opportunity to gain experience, learn from experts, and understand how data science is applied in real-world contexts.
Line Manager: Hoda Abbasizanjani Mentor: Stuart Bedston
Plabata Guha
Could you tell us what you were studying before you started your internship?
I am currently in my second year studying Computer Science at Swansea University.
What made you want to apply for an internship with Population Data Science?
I have always been interested in Data Science, and I have spoken with people from past years who secured this internship. It felt like I would have a truly great experience working here. Moreover, as I am from Swansea, I would not have to move to any other city, and the idea of working at my university also felt exciting. I love the Faculty here, and I look forward to being part of a working environment that fosters creativity and innovation.
Could you tell us a little about the project you are working on?
I am currently working on redesigning and rebuilding the Healthy Households website, an ADR Wales-supported project that focuses on analysing community data to help improve the health and well-being of communities across 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 aim to develop a range of essential skills, including working in a team, gaining practical, real-world experience, meeting deadlines, refining my communication skills, and, of course, enhancing my technical skills, such as web development and working with real-world 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 aim to pursue a career in Data Analytics or Data Science, and if not, I would like to work as a full-stack web developer or a software engineer. In both of these career paths, my experience in this internship will be highly beneficial, as both my soft and technical skills will be improved over the course of these three months.
Line Manager: Sarah Toomey Mentor: Laura Morgan
Rafael Cappabianca
Could you tell us what you were studying before you started your internship?
I am currently studying Medicine at Swansea University Medical School.
What made you want to apply for an internship with Population Data Science?
I have a genuine interest in research and public health, and Population Data Science was a perfect fit for gaining more experience in this field.
Could you tell us a little about the project you are working on?
I am aiming to write a literature review on factors affecting accessing treatment for self-harm and suicide in primary care.
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 build both my skills as a researcher and a medical student. As a researcher, I will utilise the writing and technical skills that I will be using on a daily basis while writing the review. As a medical student, I aim to truly understand the papers and apply the findings in my own practice, thereby becoming better equipped to help others treat mental health conditions more effectively.
Do you have a career in mind at the moment, and how do you hope the internship will help you towards that goal?
As a medical student, I aspire to become a doctor. In particular, I hope this may also help me gain further insight via research in the medical field. This could either manifest as becoming a public health physician or help me apply to the Specialised Foundation Programme after graduation.
Line Manager: Amanda Marchant Mentor: Nancy Meligy
Sakshi Sunil Dhavale
Could you tell us what you were studying before you started your internship?
I am currently studying MSc. Health Data Science at the University of Manchester.
What made you want to apply for an internship with Population Data Science?
I was drawn to the Population Data Science internship because of the opportunity to work on meaningful, real-world research using large-scale health data. The chance to contribute to improving public health through data-driven insights, particularly in cancer risk prediction, really appealed to me.
Could you tell us a little about the project you are working on?
I am working on a project titled “Risk Prediction of Prostate Cancer using Electronic Healthcare Records.” The project focuses on using national-level health data from the SAIL Databank to validate and potentially improve cancer risk prediction models, such as QCancer. We’re applying machine learning and statistical techniques to support earlier detection of prostate cancer, which could have a real impact on patient outcomes.
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 hope to strengthen my skills in data wrangling (particularly with SQL), statistical analysis, and machine learning using R and Python. I am also aiming to gain a deeper understanding of epidemiology, risk prediction modelling, and how to design studies using longitudinal health data. Communicating scientific findings clearly is another key skill I look forward to improving.
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 interested in a career in health data science or epidemiological research. This internship offers an ideal foundation, enabling me to conduct impactful research, collaborate with experienced professionals, and develop essential technical and analytical skills.
Line Manager: Arron Lacey Mentor: Laura Baker
For the latest updates on our Intern Programme, visit https://popdatasci.swan.ac.uk/about-us/summer-internship-programme/