fellows
Nicole Kayode headshot

Nicole Kayode: Improving the efficiency of clinical trials

Challenge

Clinical research is difficult and costly, with only 7% of clinical trials in humans resulting in a viable drug​

Solution

Working with Google Health, Nicole outlined a deliverable strategy to meet the vision of creating a “data enabled” solution. They also worked closely with NHS Digital on a navigation tool to access health data and improve trial efficacy. Nicole acted as a leader in removing the blockers that slow the progress of clinical trials and improve methods of cancer early detection. ​

Impact

This data enabled solution makes it easier, faster and more effective to conduct clinical research in the UK set out by The Future of UK Clinical Research

Founder and CEO of Medixus, a mobile platform connecting medics across Africa in real time, allowing them to collaborate on patient cases.

‘I’ve been amazed at the willingness, desire and readiness to move fast and innovate within NHSx – there are so many high impact projects ongoing at any given moment, and people are truly dedicated to getting the best outcomes they can.’

Daniel James headshot

Daniel James: Helping to reduce the burden of mass-testing

Challenge

Mass testing for Covid-19 cost £22 billion and to be effective it was reliant on active participation by the public. ​

Solution

To identify infectious disease earlier, the API records locally collated data on wastewater, with plans to extend into air quality, clinical tests and 111 call records. ​

Impact

Using a novel approach to live data ingestion, the community health API Allows infectious diseases to be identified earlier by providing an early warning system for decision makers, in a more accessible and reliable format. This can allow key decision makers to be able to anticipate the severity of an outbreak and the subsequent pressures on the NHS Services with more certainty – as a result of the population coverage of the non-invasive monitoring. Ultimately saving lives and reducing the costs associated with mass testing.​

Chief Product Officer at AMPLYFI – a leading UK business intelligence start-up. Former research scientist and full stack developer at University College London.  

Daniel joined the Fellowship for ‘the opportunity to work on challenges of this scale and with a direct positive impact on society is unparalleled. It’s exciting, rewarding and super fun!’

Rudy Benfredj headshot

Rudy Benfredj: Developing a National Trusted Research Environment

Challenge

Wider access to health data by world leading experts drives and accelerates the kinds of innovations in healthcare that enable new treatments and cure the diseases that impact millions of lives each year. It is not possible to do this responsibly without world leading secure data infrastructure.​

Solution

To achieve this, a high-quality UK health data available for research, innovation, and care was developed, whilst maintaining the highest standards in privacy, security and public trust for our patients and the NHS. ​

Impact

Rudy enabled UK health and care to be harnessed and thus accelerated the UK’s world-leading medical research.

Co-founder and CEO of Mendelian Health, which uses its own award-winning software to identify rare diseases in electronic health records.

‘I’ve been impressed with the scale and ambition of the projects undertaken here. It can be a tricky environment to navigate at first but there is a healthy dose of contagious optimism everywhere you look.’

 

Helen Balinsky headshot

Helen Balinsky: Real Time Insights to safeguard vulnerable children

Challenge

Having data is only part of the battle. Fully exploiting ‘big data’ is a relatively new challenge for most government departments. The reality of rich data is that it is a computationally demanding to process, ultimately slowing our ability to identify and intervene for children at risk.​

 

Solution

Helen identified and engineered flows for a new and exciting Attendance Data Stream for DfE, which allows the efficient handling of the data and provide live policy insights. ​

Impact

The new solution ensures that the department is set up to use new rich data sources to safeguard vulnerable children and improve their educational outcomes. Opening up the potential to better understand daily patterns at the individual level, in real time. DfE can now deliver actionable analytics and insights, underpinning various child services, alerting corresponding authorities about critical intervention points, whilst halving processing time to provide decision makers with near live analytics. As a result of this project, the speed by which relevant authorities can access pupil safety data was improved 10x.

A senior executive with over 20 years’ experience at Hewlett-Packard, seeding and leading cutting edge data science and cyber security projects.

Helen joined the fellowship to ‘Discover new opportunities, lead the way, and deliver the results that matter!’ ​

Joe Blair

Joe Blair: Creating a bold and ambitious DDAT strategy

Challenge

Government’s Digital, Data and Technology (DDAT) strategy and investment lags behind basic industry standards in many places, meaning that we are constantly playing catch up as demand and expectations continue to rise, whilst investment lags. ​

Solution

A ‘catch up’ strategy was developed and implemented by Joe to rethink operating models and adopt new ways of working. Using a cohesive, evidence-based strategy and implementation plan. ​

Impact

Through an ambitious and systemic approach earlier intervention is now possible, with rapid delivery cycles – ultimately revolutionising DDAT in DfE. The strategy had overwhelming support from DfE’s Board.

Founding member and Director of Product at The Key, which provides online support and cloud-based products to over 50% of schools in England.

‘The Fellowship is a unique opportunity to influence how government works, but what really matters to me is having an impact on day-to-day life in schools and colleges.’

Onyeka Onyekwelu

Onyeka Onyekwelu

Challenge

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) held a wealth of data that they wanted support to more effectively utilise, and they hoped that the fellows would be able to support more general digital and data upskilling.

Solution

Onyeka and Johannes worked together to upskill FCDO staff, and help realise the value in their data.

Impact

This program generated wide ranging improvements, including standardising workflows and tooling to enable FCDO staff to draw greater insight from geospatial data; improving digital and data literacy; supporting more effective targeting of future funds and resources; enabling FCDO to work more inclusively with partners in-country to support marginalised groups; and accelerating development of new monitoring and forecasting programs.

Trained as a barrister, Onkeya was the Strategic Engagement Manager at the London Office of Technology and Innovation. She has previously worked with UN Women, the Equality and Human Rights Commission and Bar Associations to develop flagship projects focused on access to justice, digitisation of the courts, and equality and diversity nationally and internationally. She has joined the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

‘Innovation isn’t always about shiny tech or new tools and systems. I’m here to challenge the way we think and encourage a culture of collaboration, where people feel empowered to go after the change they wish to see.’ 

Johannes Petrat

Johannes Petrat

Challenge

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) held a wealth of data that they wanted support to more effectively utilise, and they hoped that the fellows would be able to support more general digital and data upskilling.

Solution

Johannes and Onyeka worked together to upskill FCDO staff, and help realise the value in their data.

Impact

This program generated wide ranging improvements, including standardising workflows and tooling to enable FCDO staff to draw greater insight from geospatial data; improving digital and data literacy; supporting more effective targeting of future funds and resources; enabling FCDO to work more inclusively with partners in-country to support marginalised groups; and accelerating development of new monitoring and forecasting programs.

Highly experienced data scientist, previously working at innovative tech companies including Improbable, Cap Gemini and Hitaachi

‘Having witnessed the transformational power of technology with my own eyes, I feel passionate about how data and technology can make this world a better place. I like working in fast-paced, cross-functional teams because I believe that learning from different professions makes me more effective as a data scientist and more complete as a leader.’