CMVM participation in the Ambassador Internship scheme has been growing constantly over the years. For the 2023/2024 iteration, we have four projects from different corners of CMVM covering different phases of the research lifecycle. The project have the potential to benefit a wide range of audiences and improve key processes at the University and beyond, such as the findability and reusability of data and the experience of MSc students.
Creating a sustainable data management flow for medical research expeditions. Proposed by Ian Maccormick, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (CCBS).
Apex are high altitude research expeditions that have been running since 2001. Medical students at Edinburgh University visit a research lab in Bolivia and – under the guidance of established clinical academics – co-ordinate multiple research projects on altitude physiology. “These are a great way to inspire students, and effectively spring-board them into the very early stages of a clinical academic pathway after graduation” explains Ian Maccormick, former Apex participant, clinical lecturer at the Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences and 2024 Ambassador Host.
The aim of the Ambassador project is for the intern to develop and formalise sustainable and effective data processes for Apex expeditions. This will involve setting up a formal pathway to coordinate the flow of data from future Apex expeditions (e.g. writing and implementing data management plans). The intern will also organise data from previous Apex expeditions, so that it can be easily discovered and re-used by approved collaborators within and outside the University. Finally, the intern will gain experience in providing training; they will educate the team of medical students planning Apex 7 about the data research life cycle and FAIR principles. This work will integrate Apex data with the University’s digital research tools, increase the value of the data and educate the next generation of clinical academics in best practice for data management.
Visualising datasets and optimising the use of Eleanor, the University's Cloud Service. Proposed by Julie Rodor, Centre for Cardiovascular Science (CVS).
Researchers at the Centre for Cardiovascular Research have created an R ShinyApp, so that other researchers can explore their datasets. Eleanor, the University of Edinburgh’s cloud service, is used to host the application.
View case study: Visualising cell population and gene expression in endothelial cells in pulmonary arterial hypertension (ed.ac.uk)
However, the team need to optimise the use of Eleanor, so that it uses less memory and reduces the running costs. Moreover, they have other datasets they would like to share in a similar manner, allowing continuous open access. “We would like help to develop this interactive sharing of our datasets in an efficient and cost-effective manner”, explains Julie Rodor. Senior Scientist at CVS and 2024 Ambassador Host. The aim of the internship is to help improve the existing app on Eleanor and create a set-up that allows for future upload of more datasets.
Developing a programme of learning analytics work for data science teaching. Proposed by Kasia Banas, Usher Institute.
For this project, the intern will work on an R Shiny interactive dashboard. The dashboard will allow students to work out what combination of elective courses they can take within a particular MSc. “The intern would develop skills such as: collaborative working on a tangible product that will be used by up to 100 students each year, R Shiny development, collaborating using GitHub, data visualisation, user experience design” explains Kasia Banas, Undergraduate Talent Lead and Programme Co-Director for the DDI Health and Social Care programme and 2024 Ambassador Host.
Assessing medical school applicants’ performance in the quantitative component of the admissions test against their qualifications in mathematical sciences. Proposed by Margaret MacDougall, Usher Institute.
When applying to medical school, is there an association between an applicant’s qualifications in mathematical sciences and an applicant’s performance in the quantitative component of the admissions test? The intern would help answer this research question, for which there is already General Medical Council (GMC) approval in place. “The project ought to involve both univariable and multivariable analyses”, Senior Lecturer at the Usher Institute and 2024 Ambassador Host. In addition, the intern will learn skills in working with data safe havens, and take part in relevant training.
Do you have a project in mind that one of our Ambassador Interns could work on? Are you looking to get some help with digital aspects of your research? Take part as a Host in our Ambassador Internship scheme! Registrations for the 2023/2024 cycle are closed for now, but you can register your interest to take part in the next iteration.
Ambassador Internship More Info: Digital Research Ambassadors (ed.ac.uk)
Ambassador Internship FAQs: DRS Facilitation - Digital Research Ambassador Scheme FAQs_V1.pdf - All Documents (sharepoint.com)
Want to become an intern and work on one of these (or other) projects? Our job advert is live now, closing date 10th March. Apply here.