Can you tell us a bit about your background and what led you to work with Phastar?
I completed my MMath degree at the University of Bath, UK with my Masters dissertation being about algebraic geometry. I then joined the SAMBa CDT at Bath as a PhD student. The SAMBa programme allows us to explore areas of applied mathematics and statistics before we choose a supervisor and project for a PhD thesis. I knew I wanted to work in statistics, but I had no experience of medical statistics (let alone clinical trials) at all. When I first met my eventual supervisor, he explained his project ideas and his ties with Phastar, it became clear thatmy research could make direct real world impact and even a clear career pathway – two important aspects that no other projects I discussed could compete with.
What role does Phastar play in your PhD work?
I have a dedicated Industry Supervisor within Phastar, whom I meet with regularly to discuss my PhD research. This is an amazing resource to gain insight into what statistical problems are important and current in the world of clinical trials, and allows me to shape the direction of my research accordingly; it can be very tempting to delve into an academic rabbit hole and produce trial designs that (whilst cool) aren’t very practicall. Having an industry supervisor also provides me with extra support (whether as an expert sounding board or just as somebody to have a catch-up and chat with) – this is something I have appreciated more and more as my PhD has progressed.
What opportunities for growth or professional development have you gained through working with Phastar?
From expert webinars to a rich store of training materials, working with Phastar has exposed me to numerous opportunities to develop my skills and ability. Other than technical knowledge, it can be quite hard for a PhD student to find opportunities to develop further skills. However, during placements with Phastar I’ve gained first hand experience of the pharmaceutical industry and begun to understand how complex it is. Further, I’m working in a team environment to develop and deliver internal training materials and talks on topics both tangential and directly related to my own PhD research. This has really challenged and allowed me to develop my understanding of my research and generated new ideas for where I can take it.
What have you enjoyed most about working with Phastar?
Last year I was able to visit Phastar’s Macclesfield office and meet a lot of the people who worked there. Normal PhD work can be very solitary and get quite lonely, and so coming into a lively and friendly working environment was a breath of fresh air. This was also the case for last year’s PSI conference (an event I wouldn’t be able to attend under normal PhD package). At the conference, I was able to network and learn even more about interesting topics in clinical trials from a huge number of experts in the field. Both experiences reinforced the value of being connected to an organization like Phastar, where learning, collaboration, and professional development are genuinely encouraged.
