Today, we conclude our blog series on the 2025 cohort of Population Data Science summer interns. We are excited to introduce the final 4 of our 20 bright interns making their mark on Population Data Science at Swansea University.
As they reflect on their internship journey so far, they share insights into their work, the skills they are developing, and their aspirations as they prepare for the next steps in their careers.
Samyuktha Babuganesh
Could you tell us what you were studying before you started your internship?
Before starting the internship, I was studying for a master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence at the University of Southampton.
What made you want to apply for an internship with Population Data Science?
I wanted to apply for an internship with the Population Data Science team because I am passionate about using technology such as Artificial Intelligence and Data Science to make a real difference in people’s lives. The focus of this project was on understanding the risks associated with social issues such as Youth Homelessness, and it was truly intriguing because I believe that data, when used ethically and responsibly, has the power to drive positive change. Coming from a background in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, I was excited by the chance to apply what I had learnt to research that matters and to work alongside experts in the field. This internship was the perfect opportunity to grow my skills while contributing to something truly meaningful.
Could you tell us a little about the project you are working on?
I am currently working on analysing screening data from over 5,000 secondary school pupils as part of the Upstream Cymru intervention. Upstream Cymru works to prevent youth homelessness by identifying at-risk students through a screening survey. I plan on using data reduction and clustering techniques to identify patterns in risk factors associated with youth and family homelessness. By interpreting the clustering results, I aim to uncover meaningful groupings within the data, which will support refining the screening tool and contribute to evidence-based decision-making aimed at preventing youth homelessness.
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 aim to further develop my skills in advanced data analysis techniques, specifically Multiple Correspondence Analysis and Cluster Analysis, to better comprehend complex social datasets. I aim to enhance my proficiency in data wrangling and exploratory data analysis using R and RStudio, while also deepening my understanding of data governance and GDPR compliance in a research context. I will also contribute to a ‘Data Insight’ report on youth and family homelessness for Administrative Data Research Wales.
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 the intersection of Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and research, and I am keen to explore how these fields can collaborate to address real-world problems. I believe this internship will provide valuable hands-on experience with data science in a research context, helping me build skills that are important for my future. I am excited about the opportunity to learn from experts and contribute to meaningful work in this space.
Line Manager: Ian Thomas Mentor: Peter Mackie
Sneha Miriyam Shaji
Could you tell us what you were studying before you started your internship?
Prior to beginning my internship, I recently completed my master’s degree in Health Informatics from Swansea University.
What made you want to apply for an internship with Population Data Science?
I applied for the summer internship with Population Data Science at Swansea University because I am interested in how data can be used to improve public health, and I admire Swansea’s leading role in research. It is a great opportunity to learn from experts and gain hands-on experience in a field I am passionate about exploring.
Could you tell us a little about the project you are working on?
I am working on understanding the trends of Critical Care Elective and Emergency Surgical Admissions.
What skills are you hoping to develop, and if you know already what output(s) will you be working towards over the summer?
Through this summer internship, I aim to gain more technical experience, particularly in coding languages such as SQL, deepen my understanding of health data science, and develop a strong knowledge of the healthcare industry.
Do you have a career in mind at the moment, and how do you hope the internship will help you towards that goal?
I would like to work as a data analyst. I believe this internship will help me develop practical skills in handling real-world data, particularly in the field of health and population research.
Mentor: Laura Herbert Mentor: Oliver Thwaites
Temilola Adedolado
Could you tell us what you were studying before you started your internship?
I completed my BSc in Computer Science at Swansea University and am currently pursuing a master’s in Management (Artificial Intelligence).
What made you want to apply for an internship with Population Data Science?
I was eager to gain some industry experience. Up until now, most of my work experience had been in summer warehouse jobs, so I was looking for something more aligned with the career I want to pursue. This internship felt like the perfect opportunity to get hands-on experience in a field that genuinely interests me.
Could you tell us a little about the project you are working on?
I will be developing a system within SeRP for tenancies to log the impact of projects using their data, such as publications and broader research outcomes. By recording this impact, tenancies can demonstrate their value and reach, unlocking further opportunities.
What skills are you hoping to develop, and if you know already what output(s) will you be working towards over the summer?
One of my primary goals is to enhance my collaboration on code within a team, particularly when utilising tools like GitHub in a shared environment. Learning how to contribute effectively to a project and work through issues as part of a team is something I am really looking forward to. I am also interested in experiencing agile workflows and sprint-based planning, which is new to me but seems like a great way to structure development work. Finally, I am looking forward to contributing to a project that has a real impact!
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 aiming to become a software engineer or developer, and this internship is a great stepping stone toward that goal. Since my project involves both front-end and back-end development, it is giving me the kind of well-rounded experience I need to move closer to that goal. This will also help me determine whether I prefer front-end, back-end, or both, which will inform my career decisions later in life.
Mentor: Hazel Lockhart-Jones Mentor: Justin Biddle
Yulia Shubina
Could you tell us what you were studying before you started your internship?
I am studying Computer Science at Swansea University, and when I applied for the internship, I was in my second year of study.
What made you want to apply for an internship with Population Data Science?
I applied for this internship to get more experience working in a team of researchers. Additionally, Population Data Science offered a unique opportunity to work with medical data, establish new connections, and build a strong CV, which will enhance my confidence after graduation.
Could you tell us a little about the project you are working on?
I am working on a project where our team will create descriptive statistics and visualisations of data distributions based on selected key SAIL data, such as Primary Care, Emergency Department, and GP Appointments data. The project will also produce maps to visualise the geographical distribution of data. The project aimed to support researchers in their studies.
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 deepen my practical skills in data analysis and visualisation. I also aim to enhance my understanding of metadata and data quality frameworks, as well as develop my ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders, including researchers and managers. Working on the SAIL Databank will provide me with the opportunity to engage with diverse health and administrative data, which I believe will be a valuable experience for my future career.
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 planning a career in data science. This internship is a great opportunity for me to get experience with real data, improve my technical skills, and learn how to create useful visualisations. I believe this experience will be very useful for my future career.
Line Manager: Alex Dearden Mentor: Carys Jones, Jenny Thyer
For the latest updates on our Intern Programme, visit https://popdatasci.swan.ac.uk/about-us/summer-internship-programme/