Micheal McKenna
BSc
Data Applications Developer
- Developing data applications to assist researchers
I am currently serving as a Health Data Applications Developer for the CPRD research group. In this position, I focus on developing tools and methods to assist in the creation of standardized and completed medical codelists, with the aim of improving the accuracy of data extraction for research projects.
Prior to joining CPRD, I was a Clinical Systems Manager at the Clinical Trials Unit (CTU), a role I held from September 2020. I joined the unit in 2018 as a Trainee Trial Manager, where I quickly gained experience across a wide range of trial management disciplines. I contributed to trials investigating treatments for chronic kidney disease, infectious diseases, insomnia, hypertension, and COVID-19.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I worked on the PRINCIPLE study, the national priority trial for COVID-19 in the community setting. This experience, along with my background in programming, led to my transition into the Clinical Systems Manager role, where I continued my work on key national COVID-19 trials, including PRINCIPLE and PANORAMIC, as well as several unit-wide initiatives aimed at improving and standardizing systems within clinical trials.
In addition to my technical work, I also contribute to education as part of the Clinical Trial Management module within the MSc in Evidence-Based Health Care. I teach eCRF design and data collection methods to students on both standalone courses and the full MSc program.
A particular focus of my work has been the development of websites for trial recruitment, which are part of the CTU’s broader effort to enhance public engagement and increase inclusivity within clinical research. This work has contributed to the establishment of the Centre for Research Equity at the University of Oxford, where I collaborate with colleagues to promote diversity in clinical research.
Overall, my role at CPRD combines my expertise in programming, health data, and research methodologies to advance the development of standardized tools that improve data accuracy for research.