Research Experience

PhD in Computational Oncology (Oct 2020 – Dec 2024)

Towards a Unified Model for Predicting Radiotherapy Effects

Funded by Cancer Research UK

Supervised by Dr Gillian C. Barnett and Dr Raj Jena.

Utilised statistical and machine learning methods to predict radiotherapy treatment response, conducting collaborative interdisciplinary research with clinicians, AI researchers, ethicists, patients, and publics
Independently designed and implemented a reproducible pipeline using FAIR data principles, ensuring accountability, explainability, and transparency of algorithm development and research objectives
Mapped out and utilised ethical frameworks for evaluating and addressing medical data risks and ethical concerns associated with the project’s goals, in the context of AI healthcare implementation
Shaped and informed the project’s execution through qualitative focus-group methods to explore patients’ lived experiences and perspectives
High-quality research outputs, from patient-facing collaborations to research publications, informing UK Government policy development on AI medical device regulation

Enrichment Scheme, Alan Turing Institute London, (Oct 2022 – Oct 2023)

Worked with an international community of leading researchers in AI methods and applications, data ethics and governance, and AI policy implementation

Integrated Masters in Physics, University of Exeter (Sept 2016 – June 2020)

First Class Honours (83%) with Deans Commendation Award
Student Ambassador; women in STEM advocate; resource development for educational access project

Community and Project Experience

The Turing Way (TTW) Collaborations, Alan Turing Institute (May 2023 – Ongoing)

Developed the Turing Way’s research vision into executable tasks to deliver content for publication
Represented TTW’s strategic contributions to the UK AI Landscape at the ATI Quinquennial Review
Coordinated and organised onboarding calls and workshops to introduce new project members

Data Hazards, Ethics & Reproducibility Symposium, Alan Turing Institute (Dec 2022 – Mar 202)

Designed, co-organised and co-led a one-day, hybrid symposium to foster interdisciplinary discussions
Collaborated with Turing community teams to design and host an EDI-compliant, accessible event
Recruited and led a team of volunteers for hosting sessions, catering, and managing tasks
Collected feedback and identified improvements to revise the Grassroots Funding documentation

AI Hopes and Fears Lab, British Library and Cambridge (Feb 2023)

Creatively engaged in two-way, open discussions with the public on the impact of AI in our daily lives
Engaged with the AI Safety Summit’s People’s Panel discussing AI’s daily uses, risks, and implications, which they reported back to the UK Government as part of the AI Safety Summit
Collected data and public feedback regarding their lived experiences and understanding of AI to produce resources and to inform thinking on AI communications and accessibility

Work Experience

Public Sector Roles

Experience on the frontline of healthcare services and behind the scenes to ensure high-quality patient care

A&E receptionist (2018 - 2020); managed critical and high-pressure tasks working across medical teams
Software Tester NHS (2018); tested four bespoke software systems before implementation across the NHS
Medical Physics Departments (2018 and 2019); developed safety protocols across two NHS trusts

Private Sector – Grace and Green, Period Dignity Team (2021-2023)

Experience in a menstrual health start-up delivering resources to UK educational institutes and organisations

Designed and delivered workshops on menstrual equity across UK Universities
Developed and launched free-to-access educational materials for UK organisations and businesses

Volunteering Interests and Experiences

Women’s and Non-Binary Student Officer, Darwin College (Nov 2021 - Nov 2022)

Represented and advocated for women/non-binary students, promoting gender, inclusivity, and accessibility

Raised £1000 for Breast Cancer Awareness, organised and promoted intercollegiate Pink Week events
Supported and communicated with students to navigate with sexual harassment and menstruation policies
Collaborated with students, activists, and University staff to tackle barriers, ensure accountability, and promote gender-inclusive policies
Representative on the College Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee, contributing to Darwin Colleges Strategic Plans and third-party EDI assessment

Cambridge Period Project Member and Ambassador (Oct 2020 - Nov 2022)

Promoted policy changes, advocated for menstrual equity, and secured £550 sustainability grant

Co-wrote an open letter advocating for menstrual product provision, resulting in College policy changes
Organised and co-led an intercollegiate ‘Sustainable Periods Workshop’, initiating the Cambridge Zero Students Societies Climate Fund
Fundraised and collected over 500 menstrual products for local schools and community centres

Patient Representative for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (Jan 2016 – Ongoing)

Providing the patient perspective on documents and software for research institutions, companies, and charities

Reviewing manuscripts, funding documents, evaluating AI tools and new software developments for diabetes patients, and feeding back to researchers the patient perspective

Conferences and Talks

Association for Radiation Research (Glasgow 2022), Medical AI and Machine Learning Panel Host
Evaluating Auto-segmentation in Medical Imaging Analysis (Cambridge 2022), Poster and Panel Discussion
University College London (London 2023), Invited Talk
Open Fest Hybrid Symposium (Sheffield 2024), Invited Talk
Cancer Research UK Symposium (Cambridge 2021 and 2024), Presentations
Medical Imaging Understanding and Analysis Conference (Cambridge 2021), Best Poster Award
European Society of Radiotherapy Oncology (Glasgow 2024), Poster
International Radiotherapy Research Conference (Hawai’i 2022), Poster

Ceilidh Welsh