What motivated you to come to Bristol and do this programme? 

Through chance circumstances I was introduced to the field of epidemiology and quickly realised how fortunate this proved to be. During my undergraduate degree I then undertook a placement year as a Statistical methods Research Associate within the MRC-IEU. I worked on a variety of interesting interdisciplinary projects and gained valuable research experience in a highly reputable department with world leading experts. I thoroughly enjoyed my placement, thus applied to the PhD programme in Molecular, Genetic and Lifecourse Epidemiology.  

The opportunity to develop key skills, explore a range of research and develop a network of collaborators during the first year via mini-projects was particularly appealing having pivoted from mathematics to epidemiology. This helped to provide a strong foundation from which I have continued to build upon.    

What is the key research question of your PhD research project and what have you found out so far? 

My research focuses on genetic epidemiology under the working title, "A pharmacoepidemiological study of maternal prescriptive drug use: the risks and benefits to mothers and neonates". This research explores the prediction of adverse and beneficial maternal and neonatal outcomes subsequent to prescriptive drug exposure throughout pregnancy via two means. First, prescribing patterns and corresponding maternal and neonatal outcomes will be analysed to assess the current landscape. Second, genetic proxies for intrauterine drug exposure will be developed and implemented in a Mendelian Randomization framework to determine whether it is possible to emulate a randomised controlled trial of intrauterine drug exposure. 

Where do you think your research could lead and what are your future career plans now? 

I hope my research establishes greater evidence for clinical decision making with regards to prescriptive drug use during pregnancy as pregnant women are heavily underrepresented within drug safety research, thus are a vulnerable population. I am enjoying my research and would like to continue working within the field of genetic pharmacoepidemiology after my PhD producing research that will positively contribute towards improving population health.