Cyril Onwuelazu Uteh is a Research Assistant in Evidence Synthesis and Horizon Scanning for the Innovation Observatory. We spoke to him about his passion for working on a variety of projects and the support he has received to excel.
Describe your role in the team
I am involved in tracking innovative health technologies in development within the remit of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), to identify products that could enter the UK market in the next three years. Also, I am involved in developing health technology briefings for NICE Topic Selection team as a first step in the NICE Topic Selection processes. Moreso, I am part of the NICE Process Working Group, tasked with notifying the NICE Topic Selection team about innovative health technologies likely to enter the UK market in the next three years. Additionally, I work as a Clinical Effectiveness Reviewer for the Health Technology Assessment Group based in Newcastle University. I have been involved in projects that cut across the different themes and work programmes within the NIHR IO. Also, I currently spend part of my time with the NIHR Newcastle Patient Safety Research Collaboration, as the ultimate work that I do is to contribute to ensuring that safe and effective health technologies are made available to patients more timely.
How did you get into this career, what led you here?
Previously, I worked with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the regulatory body for packaged foods, cosmetics and health technologies in Nigeria. This experience motivated me to join the NIHR IO, as the work that I do here, contributes to the regulatory processes for health technologies in the UK. Additionally, my academic training to date aligned with the NIHR IO. Academically, I hold multiple master level degrees in Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Public Health, which are relevant to my work at the NIHR IO.
What do you enjoy most about your role? What are you most proud of?
As an Effectiveness Reviewer, I have been involved in a NICE process that led to a guidance development and recommendation of a health technology for use in the UK. Also, as a member of the NICE Process Working Group, I am responsible for developing and maintaining dashboard for health technologies planning to enter the UK market through the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA’s) International Recognition Procedure (IRP) route.
What do you do outside of work?
When I am not working, I am completing short courses, attending conferences, workshops, meetings, or supporting professional organisations such as the Academy of Communication in Healthcare (ACH), and the Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH). I also lead a non-profit organisation called the Better Life for All Foundation (BLAF) back in Nigeria. Finally, I do love to travel as traveling to me, is part of learning.
To get to know more of our team, take a look at our news page for more ‘In the Spotlight’ interviews here
