From statistics for clinical trials to medical machine learning, AI and healthcare industry inroads: One MSc in Evidence-Based Healthcare student’s journey

Why Oxford and the MSc in Evidence Based Health Care (EBHC) Medical Statistics? 

I chose Oxford because prior to applying, I emailed the MSc in Evidence-Based Healthcare (EBHC) Medical Statistics programme some questions, and the promptness with which one of the senior epidemiologist professors (Dr Clare Bankhead) answered all my questions left a great impression. I felt I could always ask questions and get clarifications here, in this programme that covers traditional Medical Statistics and Statistical Machine Learning and Deep Learning AI, and which provides a robust foundation for my passion, Computational Medicine. 

I chose EBHC because: 

1. As the person in charge of building the core technology for our healthcare startup formed with Cambridge master’s degree in Entrepreneurship classmates it was clear I was completely out of my depth without a medical background.  
2. Every time I researched what I needed to master for my role, the results always pointed to Oxford's Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBM).  
3. To address and understand my personal genetic health concerns - which, thanks to all the modules I took, particularly Meta Analysis, and Evidence-Based Diagnosis and Screening, I have made significant progress on.  

This programme surpassed my expectations. I was surprised by the great accessibility of these famous faculty members, and the amazing faculty-to-student ratios. There were incredible occasions where faculty-to-student ratios were greater than 1:1. Such dedicated faculty attention raised the bar. It blew my mind. 

Statistics for Clinical Trials module 

All the modules were outstanding, especially the most recent one I took: Statistics for Clinical Trials.  It was an incredibly lively, highly engaging, thoroughly informative, and well-delivered module. The instructors (Dr. Ly-Mee Yu, Dr. Milensu Shanyinde, Ms. Ushma Galal plus an assorted array of expert guest lecturers) assembled a rich menu of learning outcomes that went beyond the statistics. This module’s title barely does it justice. It delivers incredible context using recent events, famous and rare clinical trials, plus timely publications that illuminate all facets of what it takes to plan, conduct, and then report on a well-executed clinical trial. The professors cover the pitfalls, practical insights from their own experiences, and inside tips and tricks. Statistics are contextualized to give students perspectives that would be impossible to gain otherwise. 

There was a lot I enjoyed, including the well-chosen group projects, hands-on lab practicals, and simulated case studies that gave us hands-on experience working with issues professionals face daily. The professors went above and beyond to find rare resources, ones that only those at the very forefront of the field would know about. We could ask questions and get detailed feedback from multiple lecturers’ perspectives. It was the sort of experience one can’t quite put a price on. I just wish there was a curated repository of the questions and answers from over the years. 

Overall, the depth and breadth of it gave me a solid foundation in Statistical Analysis Planning needed for complex clinical trial studies. 

Where could the course go further? 

One area the programme could expand on is what I would call ‘Hardware Evidence-Based Healthcare’, for lack of a better term. This refers to solutions that give medical practitioners up-to-date, patient-customized Evidence-Based Healthcare information in real-time. This includes AI enhanced Augmented Reality devices, because with ~73 days doubling-time, medical knowledge is expanding faster than our natural ability to assimilate and apply it effectively. 

Therefore, we are working with Grace Eyewear in Shenzhen and a high-end Chinese private hospital, to implement a wearable device inspired by this programme. This real-time ‘Hardware Evidence-Based Medicine’ device aims to not only save more lives but also to elevate the art and science of medical practice and cutting-edge healthcare services across all stages of care. 

The EBHC Medical Statistics programme already covers Statistical Machine Learning and Deep Learning AI through its Statistical Computing for Healthcare Research and Big Data Epidemiology modules, both of which I thoroughly enjoyed. Hopefully hardware implementation of Medical AI will eventually be incorporated, too. 

Wallen Mphepo PhD and colleagues in front of one of Grace Eyewear factories' entrance in Shenzhen, China,

Support structures and life in Oxford 

I feel incredibly supported pastorally and academically by my programme supervisor Dr. José M. Ordóñez-Mena and the programme administration team led by Ms. Rachel Green.  For my thesis, I have three co-advisers (Dr. José M. Ordóñez-Mena, Dr. Nicholas Jones, Dr. Jennifer Hirst) together with Dr. Ly-Mee Yu, who supported and helped me streamline my thesis proposal that I am very excited about. The thesis will analyze risk factors of cancer incidence in primary care patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) using data from the New Onset Kidney Impairment Study (NewKI), which is a follow-on to Oxford Renal Study (OxRen). 

There is something about being at Oxford, going to the matriculation ceremony, attending formals, and walking into your college that sticks with you. My first encounter with college life was at Cambridge but even so, there are still some differences. Some things are distinctly Cambridge and some things are distinctly Oxford. Oxford really is as great a place to live and study as they say it is. 

Also, arriving in Oxford from the Far East where hierarchy and titles are important, it took time to get used to how informal people are at Oxford. Even now I still find it hard to call my world-renowned professors by their first names, even though they insist. It gives me such cognitive dissonance. Thankfully, someone inspired me to fully participate and contribute to Oxford University life, regardless. Since I have to frequently communicate officially with business colleagues in the Far East for work, I am among the few people who still added their “Dr” title to their Oxford official email just to straddle the cultural gap.   

Wallen Mphepo (left) introducing colleagues to Oxford. Pictured in front of the Sheldonian Theatre.

Advice To Potential Students  

This is a transformative experience – and one I believe you should give yourself the benefit of applying to.   

If you get accepted, immerse yourself in university life. It will enhance your overall Oxford experience. In my first year I was the student representative for MSc in EBHC Medical Statistics and in my second year I became the Division Representative for Matriculated Oxford University Department of Continuing Education (OUDCE). These experiences were unparalleled.