Profile: Laura Oakley
Laura Oakley from the UK studying for a PhD in the Department of Epidemiology & Population Health
"After an undergraduate degree in Sociology and a few years working in health services research in the UK, I realised that I was in desperate need of further training in statistics and research methods. I was fortunate enough to be awarded an NHS fellowship to fund my postgraduate training programme, and on the advice of a colleague I applied for the MSc Epidemiology at LSHTM.
After initial concerns that LSHTM would not accept me due to my social science background (totally unfounded) I was made to feel very welcome! My MSc year in 2001 was a thoroughly enjoyable year, demanding but manageable, despite me juggling a two year old daughter and (for the latter six months) pregnancy as well. During the year research interests changed, and I was able to develop my ideas in reproductive and paediatric epidemiology with the help of staff and my fellow students.
After my MSc I took a year off with the birth of my second child, beginning back at LSHTM in 2003 as a part-time research student, carrying out a London-based PhD looking at health and development outcomes for babies admitted to neonatal care.
My experience as a research student has been very positive, the academic support is excellent and I’ve really benefited from all the contacts LSHTM has with other researchers and institutions. Everybody I’ve encountered at LSHTM has been supportive of me combining my family responsibilities with studying, and despite being part-time I am entitled to all the same facilities and support as any full-time research student. It’s wonderful to be back at LSHTM, and my only concern is how I can manage to stay on after my PhD is completed."
Dulce Baptista, Elizabeth Williamson, Julius Wandabwa, Pura Rayco-Solon and Joann McDermid are also studying for a PhD in the Department of Epidemiology & Population Health
