The UK Kidney Association is proud to announce its collaboration with Health Data Research UK's Black Internship Programme 2023, as it hosts talented intern Marian Adeyemo. This initiative carried out in partnership with 10,000 Black Interns, is dedicated to addressing the underrepresentation of Black individuals in the health data science sector.

At the forefront of its mission is the ambition to combat racial bias in healthcare and challenge racism concerning the utilisation of health data. The programme is committed to providing opportunities for talented individuals like Marian, who is working within the UK Renal Registry as a Junior Data Analyst.

Marian Adeyemo is currently pursuing a Master's in Public Health at the University of Bristol, where she has demonstrated an interest in health data analysis and its applications in public health. As an intern, she aims to delve deeper into the role of a health data analyst, applying advanced analytical techniques to vast health datasets and translating valuable insights into evidence-based policy recommendations. The internship offers an exceptional platform for her to gain hands-on experience in the field and develop the technical skills and knowledge essential for a successful career.

"I am eager to work alongside industry professionals, learn about their work, and contribute to ongoing research projects that make a positive impact on public health," says Marian.

"We are currently working on a project that seeks to estimate the prevalence of CKD stages 4 and 5 within the UK. This critical initiative involves a literature search, along with a detailed analysis and summarisation of data based on age and sex from the UK Renal Registry. I am comparing these findings with existing literature to provide a comprehensive overview of advanced CKD within the country.

I am deeply enjoying my time working with the fantastic Statistics team, whose support has been invaluable. I'm also heartened by the welcoming nature of all staff members across the organisation.”

The Black Internship Programme, established in partnership with the UK Health Data Research Alliance and 10,000 Black Interns, addresses the underrepresentation of Black individuals within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers. It accomplishes this by providing opportunities for them to engage in health data science projects with some of the UK's leading health, research, and academic organizations.

As of Monday, 3rd July 2023, an impressive cohort of 95 interns has commenced their eight-week placements with 54 esteemed host organisations. The UK Kidney Association is honoured to be part of this transformative initiative and remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering diversity, inclusivity, and representation within the health data science sector.