Career Stories
Introducing some of the health data scientists who are opening up new frontiers and changing the world.
Something that makes our field especially exciting is that almost from the start it offers the chance to carry out work that can make a real difference to healthcare.
It is also an area that actively seeks to recruit people from a broad range of different academic, research and professional backgrounds – recognising that they can enrich health data research by bringing new insights and approaches.
These are the career stories of some of the people whose careers development has been supported by HDR UK as we seek to nurture the diverse and inclusive health data science workforce of the future.
HEALTH INFORMATICS: Hon. Professor Phil Quinlan – the reluctant academic
As someone with a senior university post, and who is closely involved with HDR UK, it may seem surprising that Phil Quinlan is a reluctant academic. More broadly he argues that research, and the...
RESEARCH: Professor Emily Jefferson – pushing boundaries
After cycling from New Zealand to the UK Emily Jefferson found herself in Scotland with a job at the University of Dundee Health Informatics Centre. Professor Emily Jefferson Soon afterwards she...
RESEARCH: Dr Mwenza Blell – fighting for ethics
Arriving in the UK 17 years ago Dr Blell was excited by the huge potential that NHS data offered for research. Dr Mwenza Blell A socialised healthcare system dedicated to delivering care for...
INTERN: Shahriar Kabir Khan – a future researcher
The health data research sector is in search of promising young people with the talent and vision needed to tackle the major challenges facing healthcare. Shahriar Kabir Khan Kabir joined HDR UK...
RESEARCH: Dr Lamiece Hassan – learning from social media
A social scientist by background, Dr Lamiece Hassan has found that learning health data science skills has been transformative for her research. Dr Lamiece Hassan Some years ago she was...
RESEARCH: Dr Joram Posma – tackling high blood pressure
High blood pressure is a major healthcare issue, leading to 10.7 million deaths a year worldwide and severely affecting the lives of many more. Dr Joram Posma Understanding the relationship...
RESEARCH: Dr Gwenetta Curry – race and health inequalities
The journey from North Carolina to the UK has been a long one for Dr Gwenetta Curry – in career terms as much as miles. Dr Gwenetta Curry She started out as a food science student before working...
HDR UK: Dr Susheel Varma – overcoming the data monster
Susheel’s ambition is for his work to be invisible. As Director of Engineering HDR UK his role is all about getting the right data to the right people when they need it, in the shape it’s...
NHS: Dr Dan Schofield – from string theory to NHSX
As an academic researching string theory, Dan’s early career involved exploring some of the farthest reaches of theoretical physics. Nowadays he’s part of the Analytics Unit at NHSX, and...
RESEARCH: Dr Musa Abdulkareem – complex AI-based technologies
Dr Musa Abdulkareem is a Principal Research Scientist at Barts Health NHS Trust working on pioneering research on the use of AI-based technologies to address complex healthcare problems. With...
RESEARCH: Dr Spiros Denaxas – measuring excess deaths
Research by Professor Denaxas and his colleagues from Denaxas Lab, and elsewhere, proved significant in helping the NHS and policymakers learn from the first wave of Covid-19 in readiness for...
RESEARCH: Dr Praveen Surendran – understanding genetic changes
Dr Surendran, a genetic epidemiologist, was awarded a Rutherford fund fellowship in 2018 to research the effect of genetic changes on human metabolism to better understand complex disease....
INTERN: Jake Barrett – internship opportunities
After achieving an MSc in Big Data from Queen Mary University of London, Jake Barrett was selected for a one-year internship with HDR UK. Jake Barrett It was not the direction he originally...
Health Data Science Careers
A career in health data science brings the opportunity to use your skills to help find new ways to prevent, treat and cure disease.
Summer School
HDR UK-Roche Summer School applications are open until 30 May - seize the chance to be part of this exciting initiative.
CPD and Training
The world of health data science is constantly evolving. Our growing portfolio of CPD courses will provide you with the skills and insights needed to keep up to date with the latest developments.
Fellowships Programme
Helping to create tomorrow’s health data science leaders through the HDR UK NPIF Fellowship programme
HDR UK-Turing Wellcome PhD Programme in Health Data Science
The HDR UK-Turing Wellcome PhD Programme is outstanding - its aim is to train the nation's future leaders in health data research
Master’s Degree Scholarships
Our master's degree scholarships have provided £10,000 of funding for students with an interest in dementia or diabetes research
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