And why Lancaster University?

Lancaster University is highly renowned and consistently ranked among the top 10 universities in the UK. The Health Data Science department stood out to me because of the faculty’s impressive research backgrounds in areas like epidemiology, data modelling and public health. I felt confident I would be learning from experts who could teach me the theory and provide insights from their own ground-breaking work. The campus environment, with its supportive culture and beautiful setting, was a bonus.

Did you work while you studied?

Yes, I volunteered at the British Heart Foundation during weekends. This experience helped me connect with people and gave me a sense of belonging as I was new to the UK. Balancing classes during the weekdays and volunteering on weekends provided a refreshing change of pace and contributed to my overall growth.

What did a typical day look like for you at university as a Health Data Science MSc student?

A typical day often starts with theory classes in the morning, followed by lab sessions after lunch. The first semester was a bit hectic, as we had to manage both theory and practical sessions. However, by the second semester, the schedule became more manageable. There were sufficient breaks between sessions, which helped me stay focused and avoid burnout.

What was your memorable experience from your degree?

One of my most memorable experiences was attending the Pemba summer school with two of my classmates for two weeks. It was an incredible opportunity to engage with public health challenges in a real-world setting. We learned about tropical diseases like schistosomiasis, participated in a drug distribution campaign, and observed healthcare services in low-resource settings. This experience not only broadened my academic horizons but also taught me valuable life lessons about resilience, adaptability, and the importance of community.

How would you advise someone to prepare to study at Lancaster?

Lancaster is a welcoming place where everything is set up to support your success. My main tips would be to invest in a good laptop, a waterproof bag, and an umbrella—these are essentials here! Additionally, it’s important to practice coding daily. Whether it’s Python or R, consistent practice will ensure you build a strong foundation and can clear doubts quickly with lecturers. Lastly, don’t hesitate to ask for help—it’s better to address gaps in understanding early to maintain a steady learning flow.

How did you balance study, work, and social life?

Balancing studies, work, and social life becomes manageable when you maintain a routine. I made it a point to finish coursework in small chunks every day, rather than leaving it all for the last minute. This approach gave me enough time to volunteer on weekends and still enjoy social events. My tip is to schedule your tasks and stick to them—it’s amazing how much you can achieve when you have a plan in place. Also, don’t forget to take breaks and participate in activities you enjoy. For me, craft sessions and table tennis helped me recharge.

What role did the campus community play in your experience as a student?

The campus community played a significant role in making my time at Lancaster enjoyable. While I wasn’t formally involved in clubs, I attended craft sessions organized at the social hub. These sessions were therapeutic—they allowed me to meet new people, switch off from academic stress, and focus on something creative. Additionally, playing table tennis helped me stay active and maintain a balanced routine. The sense of community and inclusivity at Lancaster made it easy to find support and form connections.

What’s next for you?

I am keen to pursue a PhD after graduation. I hope to focus on using data science to address public health challenges, such as predicting disease outbreaks or analysing healthcare inequalities. Research has always been a passion of mine and I feel a PhD will provide the depth and focus I need to contribute meaningfully to the field.

Why did you choose to study Clinical Research at Lancaster?

Lancaster Medical School is an innovative, inclusive, and supportive department that encourages cutting-edge clinical trials alongside research that advances our understanding of healthcare inequalities.

As a campus-based university, Lancaster fosters unique communities within its colleges, departments, and societies. As a postgraduate student, you become part of Graduate College, providing a sense of belonging and a supportive network of peers. The active and inspiring Medicine Society also offers Clinical Research students opportunities for both academic engagement and social connection.

Lancaster's dedicated Global Experiences team coordinates international trips that enrich the student experience. During my undergraduate studies, I had the incredible opportunity to visit partner universities in the USA, India, and China. These global connections helped me meet new people, expand my knowledge in diverse environments, and develop essential cross-cultural communication skills—assets that are invaluable for a successful career in healthcare or academia.

What is a typical day like for you?

A typical day starts at 9:00 am with a review of coursework deadlines and a check-in on ongoing tasks. I often meet with my dissertation supervisor, either online or in person, to discuss progress and next steps. Currently, I'm recruiting participants for my dissertation, which involves responding to emails, tracking recruitment status, and analysing collected data. On average, lectures take place once every two weeks. Lecture days are intensive, running from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, but the module conveners ensure diverse representation of voices from different lectures to make the day interesting.

Thanks to the encouragement of my supportive Programme Director, I am also co-leading a national research project alongside my MSc studies. This adds an exciting dimension to my day, including responding to emails from partner organisations, coordinating research activities, and contributing to the project's overall success.

What has been the highlight of your course to date?

A notable highlight of my course so far has been the interactions with my supportive dissertation supervisor. When choosing a supervisor, all the staff I spoke with were incredibly encouraging and made time to listen to my ideas. Ultimately, I chose someone whose approach combines extensive knowledge of healthcare inequalities, an ability to criticise my work constructively, and a genuine kindness and concern for my pastoral needs. As a neurodivergent student, I greatly appreciate the time she takes to communicate her perspective and check-in on how I am finding the programme.

What fascinates you about this subject?

If all the world is your stage, Clinical Research is the stage lighting. This unique programme illuminates the research process and helps you identify which interests you want to pursue further through research projects. For example, this programme taught me about an organisation that supports research priority-setting projects, which led me to establish my own research priorities project.

Has Lancaster been a supportive place to study clinical research – either in terms of academic staff or a sense of community from students?

The students on my course are inquisitive, driving conversation in group discussions, but also supportive and friendly. We often meet up for a hot drink or lunch on the days we have lectures. The staff continue to be supportive, always looking out for student wellbeing as well as challenging us to take our work to the next level.

What do you hope to go on to after graduating from Lancaster? What are your career goals?

With the support of my supervisor, I am applying for funding to undertake a PhD. I hope to become a leading researcher in my subject area, supporting policy-makers' decision-making processes by providing evidence and insight. Inspired by my lecturers and drawing on my previous experiences as a secondary school teacher, I hope to become a lecturer and deliver my own module one day.

I run the Clinical Pathology Laboratory at the Mary Lyon Centre, the UK's national facility for mouse genetics and the use of mouse models for the study of human disease. Part of the Medical Research council, we provide expertise and resources to academic institutions throughout the country and the world. My lab performs a wide range of high-throughput tests such as clinical chemistry, haematology and flow cytometry on blood, urine and tissue samples from the MLC and other institutions. Essentially, we act like a hospital laboratory for lab animals! I also work alongside researchers to design and perform their experiments, as well as deliver training courses to developing researchers and technicians.

I completed my PhD at Lancaster in 2022 under the supervision of Dr John Worthington. I studied the effects of certain antibiotics on the innate immune system, with a focus on Lung Macrophages and gut hormones. I used a combination of in-vivo and ex-vivo cell culture experiments as well as a lot of flow cytometry, all of which gave me the skills I needed for my current role!

A highlight of my careers is being able to work with so many different inspiring scientists on a daily basis, and contributing to exciting projects ranging from Cancer, to Mitochondrial disease, to drug development.

"As a distance learning student, I did not feel isolated nor lonely as I had the vibrant student portal to connect with international classmates, including those from other disciplines. Having attained my PhD, I am now a research mentor, supporting my hospice colleagues in designing and publishing their own studies.”