When I first applied to the MSc Health Data Science program at the University of Birmingham, I was excited to bring together my background in psychology and software engineering. Having worked as both a Research Assistant at Nottingham Trent University and a Software Engineer at Dunelm, I was looking for a program that would let me combine these worlds. Birmingham’s MSc offered exactly what I needed – a chance to use data science to explore health in new ways, especially my passion areas around the gut-brain axis and immune system.

The AI and Data Science Scholarship has been a game-changer for me. Having £10,000 as a cash award rather than just a tuition discount gave me freedom that transformed my student experience.

For starters, I was able to find really nice accommodation in Birmingham’s city centre. This might seem small, but having a comfortable, convenient home base makes such a difference when you’re tackling a demanding course. I can get to campus easily but also have my own space to focus on coursework without distractions.

The scholarship also helped me invest in a laptop that can handle the computational demands of our projects. When you’re working with machine learning models, having the right tools isn’t a luxury – it’s essential. This investment will continue to benefit me long after graduation.

I was drawn to this course because of its clear focus on global justice and ethical AI. Having worked across sustainability, education, and social work, I was eager to consolidate my interdisciplinary experiences and translate them into AI-driven solutions for real-world challenges.

The course has exceeded my expectations. I especially enjoy exploring how artificial intelligence can support sustainable development—whether in renewable energy, agriculture, or inclusive education systems. One highlight was delving into how AI can support food security in rural area, or how it can predict climate shocks that affect vulnerable populations.

The biggest challenge was returning to programming and technical skills after several years in the social sciences and education. But with support from tutors and peer collaboration, I’ve grown immensely in confidence, especially in Python and data analytics.

I’ve also appreciated the diversity in the classroom. My peers come from all over the world, and our group projects are a rich mix of ideas and expertise. The environment fosters mutual respect, creativity, and ambition.

I’ve always been fascinated by the connection between nutrition, mental health, and the body’s biochemical pathways. During my psychology degree, I started exploring how diet might influence depression, and I became curious about using data science to uncover these complex relationships.

What makes this course special is definitely the mix of people. We have classmates from healthcare backgrounds, computer science, statistics – and this diversity makes our discussions so much richer. I’ve learned as much from my peers as from the formal teaching.

The university provides great resources too. When you’re running complex machine learning models, having access to good computing facilities makes all the difference! I won’t pretend it hasn’t been challenging at times – especially coming from psychology rather than computer science – but the supportive environment has made the transition smoother than I expected.

I’m really excited about my upcoming research project on “Unravelling IBD subtypes using transcriptomics data and drug response.” It perfectly combines my interests in bioinformatics and personalized medicine.

After completing my Masters, I want to pursue research that explores the fascinating connections between the microbiome, gut-brain axis, and immune system. The technical skills I’m developing now will allow me to analyse complex biological data in ways that weren’t possible even a few years ago.

Healthcare is becoming increasingly personalized and data-driven, and there’s a growing need for professionals who understand both biology and computation. I’m positioning myself in this space, where I can use my unique blend of psychology knowledge and data science skills to contribute to better mental health treatments.

The scholarship and this program have been instrumental in helping me build the foundation for this path. I’m grateful for the opportunity to develop these skills in such a supportive environment, and I’m excited about the impact I can make in bringing data-driven approaches to complex health challenges.