Ross Fairbairn is a Research Associate and NIHR Pre-doctoral Fellow for Innovation Observatory. We spoke to him about the opportunities that have been made available to him and his varied workload.
Describe your role in the team
At the IO, I do most of my work in the medicines horizon scanning team, focusing on methodology research. I carry out research in horizon scanning of health care innovations, using quantitative methods to locate, analyse and synthesise data to inform the clinical development and regulation of innovative medicines. Additionally, I manage and develop the IO’s internal horizon scanning database, the Medicines Innovation Database (MInD). I have recently started a part-time NIHR pre-doctoral fellowship, which will provide me training on advanced computing and data science methodologies, bringing together artificial intelligence, predictive analytics and machine learning.
In my role, every day is different. I spend time working with and analysing large data sets, writing research reports and outputs for publication, leading projects and keeping up with the latest research in medicines horizon scanning at events and conferences. Additionally, I communicate with many IO stakeholders including health care systems, policymakers and industry to ensure our research is having an impact.
How did you get into this career, what led you here?
I have had an interest in biological sciences and health care since an early age. Via the PARTNERS scheme, I completed an undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences at Newcastle University in 2018. During my final year project, I found interest in epidemiology, which led me to complete a Masters in Research (MRes) in Epidemiology at Newcastle University in 2019.
Alongside studying for my Masters degree, I began a part-time role as an Administrative Assistant at the NIHR IO, facilitated by the Newcastle University Jobs On Campus (JobsOC) team. My role was initially limited to data entry and cleaning work, however I quickly found myself becoming more involved in medicines horizon scanning at the IO. It was here that I began to understand the importance of the role that the IO plays in the wider health innovation ecosystem and I was eager to continue that work. In 2019, I moved into an Analyst role at the IO for two years, before beginning to focus on research in a move to a Research Assistant role in 2021. In 2024 I began a new role as a Research Associate and also started working part-time towards a NIHR pre-doctoral fellowship.
What do you enjoy most about your role? What are you most proud of?
The thing I enjoy the most about my role at the IO is the ability to make a difference to health care decision making at a national level. The horizon scanning intelligence we provide is vital in informing key organisations such as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and NHS England and helps to improve patient care.
In particular, I take great pride in the key role I played in delivering vital horizon scanning intelligence on COVID-19 therapeutics and vaccines during the pandemic. In early 2020, once it became clear that the pandemic would become an urgent public health issue, we responded quickly by setting up a horizon scanning process which provided data to key healthcare organisations in the UK to aid the national response to the pandemic. We delivered this while utilising new scanning methodologies and adjusting to a new way of living and working during lockdowns.
What do you do outside of work?
Outside of work I spend my time keeping fit through running, cycling and going to the gym, whenever motivation allows. When motivation doesn’t allow, I can be found on the sofa gaming or watching movies and sports. However, since the arrival of a puppy in our household earlier this year, my interests outside of work have taken a backseat. Maggie, a 5 month old Bernese Mountain Dog, now takes up the majority of my time. Whether it be chewing shoes or chasing birds in the garden, there is always something going on that requires my attention. I wonder if I will ever have time for a hobby that isn’t dog walking again.
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