Women of Oxford Medical Sciences

The women of Medical Sciences come from all walks of life, from all backgrounds, from all over the world. We asked women in our department to reflect on their journeys, their place in Medical Sciences and their vision for the next 100 years.

Ly-Mee Yu

Associate Professor/Deputy Director Academic CTU/Lead Trial Statistician

Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR ROLE

I have been working as a medical statistician for over 25 years and have worked in many disease areas providing methodology support to medical research projects.  I studied BSc in Applied Mathematics in Scotland and was inspired by the lecturers there who taught me statistics and made the subject very interesting.   I then went on and did a master degree in medical statistics at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. 

I came to Oxford in 2003 and worked as a medical statistician at the Centre for Statistics in Medicine before joining the Primary Care Clinical Trials Unit in Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences in 2013.  For the past 17 years, I have had the opportunity to work with many researchers across different groups and departments within the Medical Sciences Division.   My work usually involve providing methodological input to the design, conduct and analysis of clinical trials.  I am also providing some mentorship to researchers and statisticians within the Division and outside the University.

WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL ASPECT OF YOUR WORK?

Using my statistical expertise to medical research that will ultimately improve human health.

AN YOU TELL US ABOUT SOMETHING YOU'VE DONE, CONTRIBUTED TO THAT YOU'RE MOST PROUD OF?

I have been involved in many trials that have led to change in healthcare policy but the one that I am most proud of is the PRINCIPLE trial.  This is a nationwide clinical study to find COVID-19 treatments for the over 50s that can be taken at home.  I am also working on several other projects related to the COVID-19 infection, which I am proud to have to the opportunity to contribute my expertise to tackle COVID-19.  

WHAT CHANGES WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO SEE IN THE MEDICAL SCIENCES IN THE NEXT 100 YEARS?

I would like to see more opportunities can be provided for women from diverse background, whether ability or ethnicity, to take on more leadership role in the Medical Sciences. 

Meet more incredible women from across the Medical Sciences: 100 Women of Oxford Medical Sciences