Student perspectives: research project with UKHSA

BSc Mathematics graduate Ruth Ironmonger undertook a University-funded research project with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to help investigate infectious disease modelling and tackle a key global concern.

Motivations

Having graduated with a First-Class degree in summer, Ruth leapt at the opportunity to gain experience of applying mathematical research to real-world problems. The short project with UKHSA focused on the disease pattern of Ebola.

Public health was more than an abstract idea for Ruth who had already worked at a GP doctor’s surgery and volunteered in a hospital. She describes the UKHSA placement as a chance to see how academic research can be applied to a real-world challenge, and an opportunity to explore her interest in postgraduate research.

Project focus

In the face of disease outbreaks, reliable predictions around the spread of infection are key to making informed decisions. The UKHSA uses mathematical model predictions to help achieve this aim. Ruth’s eight-week summer research project focused on this vital area and applied it to disease outbreaks of Ebola.

She explored the ability of different LLMs (Large Language Models) to generate compartmental model code for outbreaks. This was achieved by prompting the LLMs in three ways. First, by exploring the ability of the LLMs to generate generic compartmental models, then specific models of Ebola and finally adding literature prompts to see how well it could recreate those models.

Reflections on the project

What did you learn through the summer project?

“The experience broadened my technical knowledge surrounding data-fitting and comparing models, also helping me in transferable skills, including project management, problem-solving and communication. I learned how to make use of R and Python coding for solving compartmental models and gained an understanding of the use of AI in research and industry settings.”

How did it differ from your expectations?

“In a project involving high-level technical mathematics, I found that a fundamental skill for research environments is being able to communicate information clearly. I learned to convey the research progress concisely to my supervisor, and how projects are discussed in an industry setting.”

Impact of the placement

Thanks to the bursary-funded experience, Ruth is confident to pursue further research study, she says: “This research opportunity enabled me to apply the technical knowledge from my degree to consider real-world challenges. The UKHSA collaboration provided an understanding of an industrial use of mathematical research and the workings of many divisional teams within a larger corporation.

I have built relationships with professionals, contributed insights to a currently meaningful healthcare concern and developed skills to be used in similar and new fields. I am much better equipped to approach further research and career-oriented opportunities.”

UKHSA's perspective

"Supporting talented early-career researchers is an important part of UKHSA's commitment to strengthening the analytical and scientific capabilities needed to address future public health challenges. Ruth's project explored the use of large language models in infectious disease modelling and combined academic rigour with a highly practical public health application. She approached the work with enthusiasm, intellectual curiosity and professionalism, making a valuable contribution while developing an impressive range of technical and communication skills.

The placement demonstrated the benefits of close collaboration between universities and UKHSA, allowing students to gain experience of real-world problem solving while bringing fresh ideas and perspectives to our teams. It was a pleasure to work with Ruth, and we hope the experience supports her continued development as a researcher."

Dr Thomas Finnie, Head of Modelling and Data Science for Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response, UKHSA.