As a master student at Health Economics, Policy and Management, Niruththan Senthilvasan has leveraged the advanced Excel skills gained from our modeling courses, which are crucial for data analysis and decision-making.
– Additionally, I have learned the importance of rigorous research methodologies from the research design module, which is essential for navigating regulatory requirements and ensuring the validity of our findings, he says.
As an intern and researcher at UCB his main tasks was to further developed a structured Market Access database to support the Nordic team’s pipeline activities.
– Furthermore, I emphasize the necessity of maintaining a critical perspective towards the use of artificial intelligence in our field, to ensure that our approaches remain ethical and effective, he explains.
He also gathered and organized key source data, including epidemiological estimates (prevalence and incidence), clinical guidelines, key opinion leader mapping, and PICO frameworks for health economic analyses.
And finally he utilized AI tools for first-draft generation and data extraction, and applied Excel with VBA for data validation and process automation.
How was the application process?
– We were given a list of organizations offering internship placement, and UCB was one of few that really caught my interest. The application process was clear and well organized. I submitted my application and CV before the deadline, and after the review process I was offered the opportunity to have an internship at UCB.
What does a regular day at work look like for you?
– A regular day of work mainly consists of conducting research for UCB and building a structured market access database in Excel. Most of the work takes place remotely via Teams with my supervisor, Fredrik Arneberg, who is also an alumnus of HELED.
Typically, we start the week with reviewing what I have done in the previous week, before setting a plan for the next week. These regular interactions allow me to present the progress I have made, reflect on the challenges encountered and discuss the possible improvements. This process ensures that the project stays on schedule and offers valuable feedback I learn a lot from.
How are you using what you have learned at UiO in your internship?
– I use many of the skills I have learned at The University of Oslo (UiO) in this internship. My knowledge of Excel and data analysis has been highly relevant for this project. One of the courses at UiO also taught us a lot about how to conduct proper research, something that has been very helpful in this internship.
My studies have also strengthened my ability to evaluate information critically, which is essential in this project where AI tools and data validation play a major role.
What have you learned so far during your internship?
– I have learned a lot about how the pharmaceutical industry operates, especially within UCBs market access department. I have gained insight into how technology and scientific knowledge are combined in practice, and how data is used to support strategic decision-making.
I have also learned how AI can be used as a support tool, while understanding the importance of human quality control of AI outputs. In addition, I have developed more advanced skills in Excel.
What would you say to other students considering doing an internship?
– I would strongly recommend doing an internship, because it provides a unique opportunity to see how theory is applied in practice. You will also gain valuable experience in time management and independent work, and the best part of the internship is to learn directly from experienced professionals, some of whom have completed the same master’s program. Although it can be a bit challenging at first, the learning outcome is significant, and it offers practical experience that can be used in your future work life.