London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Tell us about your academic and professional background.

Before joining LSHTM, I had been working - and continue to work - as a healthcare consultant in the medical technology sector, helping healthcare providers build clinical strategies. My academic background is in health economics and management, which has provided a solid foundation for my work in healthcare innovation and strategy. Balancing this job with my part-time PhD allows me to apply practical insights from the field to my research and vice versa.

How did you apply for your research degree?

I submitted my own research proposal. While I didn't have an exact idea initially, I spent considerable time conducting literature research and interviewing professionals involved in digitally enabled radiology and AI. This helped me refine my focus. Once I had a clearer direction, I reached out to professors who were working in the same field, shared my proposal and explained the relevance of my topic.

How did you make your application stand out?

I feel a strong point was that I had done some groundwork before applying. I wasn't only passionate about the subject, but had also invested time in understanding the challenges and potential benefits through research and conversations with some experts on the topic. Additionally, another strong point of my application was that I already had a concrete plan on where I would get the data for my research. While this is not a requirement, it helped demonstrate that my project was feasible and well thought-out. I was able to show that I had a solid, if evolving, understanding of the field I wanted to explore.

Can you explain your research topic in one sentence?

My research focuses on evaluating the impact of AI-supported lung cancer imaging in clinical practice.

What barriers have you faced during your education?

The biggest barrier has been balancing my part-time PhD with my full-time job as a healthcare consultant. Additionally, learning new data evaluation methods using statistical tools has been challenging, as I don’t have a strong background in this area.

How have the barriers you've faced shaped your academic and personal development?

These challenges have made me more disciplined and resourceful. Managing both work and research requires careful planning and time-management. I've also learned the importance of having sponsors at my company who understand the relevance of my PhD and support my efforts during work hours. This experience has helped me become more flexible and adaptable.

What advice would you give to someone to help them overcome a similar challenge?

My advice is to believe in yourself and be proactive. Make sure you have the support of your workplace, especially if you plan to continue working while pursuing a PhD. Time management is key - dedicate specific blocks of time to your research and stick to them. It's also crucial to reach out to people in academia who can offer guidance and advice.

How are you finding your research so far?

I've been finding the research incredibly rewarding, but it certainly has its challenges. One aspect I'm particularly grateful for is having amazing supervisors. Their regular input and insights during our meetings have already added so much depth to my research plan. I also really enjoy engaging in the courses offered as part of the programme. There's such a wide variety to choose from, which has been invaluable for enhancing my skill set and broadening my understanding of the field.

What are your plans for after your research degree?

After completing my PhD, I plan to combine my current work as a healthcare consultant with teaching and research, as one of my key goals for pursuing a PhD was to explore opportunities in academia. I often feel that the private sector and research world can be quite detached, and I aim to bridge this gap by integrating insights from my professional experience with the latest academic advancements. By engaging in continued research and teaching, I hope to both share practical knowledge from my work life and stay at the forefront of emerging research, translating these findings into actionable strategies and assessing the real-world impact of new products and healthcare innovations on society.

What advice would you give to someone considering applying for a research degree at LSHTM?

If you're considering part-time PhD studies, it's crucial to ensure your workplace is fully aware of your PhD commitments and supportive of your efforts. Having a sponsor within your company - someone who understands the relevance of your PhD and advocates for you -can make a big difference. Equally important is having support in your personal life, as balancing both work and research can be demanding. Align with your company on the time you need to dedicate to your PhD each week and balance this with your job responsibilities. Effective time management is key - be disciplined by setting aside specific days or blocks of time for your research and sticking to that schedule. Additionally, seek advice from people familiar with academia to help you navigate the process more smoothly.

• Learn more about research degree programmes at LSHTM.