Mariela Ortiz, a pharmacist from Paraguay received a prestigious Trueta Bursary to attend our residential 1-week summer school in Real World Evidence at St Hilda’s College in Oxford. Run by the Botnar Institute the internationally renowned programme attracted 39 participants from across the world to focus on the OMOP (Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership) Common Data Model, a framework that organises healthcare data from diverse sources such as hospitals, clinics, and research studies into a standardised format. By doing so, it empowers observational research across various healthcare organisations to improve patient outcomes.
The Trueta bursary is named after Professor Josep Trueta, who fled Spain as a refugee after the Spanish civil war and became an international lead in surgical sciences. It enables individuals to attend the week-long programme as well as covering their accommodation costs.
Mariela talked to us about the bursary, her experience at the Summer School, and how it will impact her future career.
Can you tell me a little bit about your background?
I am a pharmacist from Paraguay. I’ve been working in the national regulatory agency of Paraguay, called DINAVISA, for 7 years, specifically as Head of the Pharmacovigilance department, where I focus on medicine safety. My work involves analysing adverse drug reaction data and helping to develop policies that improve public health.
What's your background in health data science?
In my role in the pharmacovigilance department, I have access to large datasets on adverse drug reactions. I use statistical methods to monitor the safety of medicines and generate evidence that supports regulatory decision-making and informs policies aimed at improving population health. Before attending the Oxford Summer School, I had not worked with the OMOP Common Data Model, so this was my first experience using these tools.
Are you currently studying or are you working in the field?
Alongside my work, I am studying for a Master's in Drug Development Science at King's College London. My course had a specific module on pharmacoepidemiology and medicine safety and I developed a strong interest in this area, particularly as Paraguay has recently introduced new regulations for pharmacoepidemiological studies. I had hoped to focus my Master's thesis on this area, but as that wasn't possible, I saw the Oxford Summer School as a chance to develop my knowledge instead. I thought “when one door closes, another one opens!”
What made you apply for the Summer School?
One of my contacts at the Uppsala Monitoring Centre, had shared Dani's post about the Oxford Summer School. I thought it was a great opportunity to learn more about pharmacoepidemiology and health data science. One of my tutors at King’s College gave me a recommendation letter and I was offered the Trueta Bursary! This was my chance to get deeper into this field that had caught my attention.
How did you feel when you were offered the Trueta bursary?
I was really excited. Receiving the bursary meant I could attend the Summer School and continue learning about a subject I am passionate about. It felt like I was getting the best of both worlds by combining my laboratory-based studies as part of my MSc with the opportunity to develop my knowledge of pharmacoepidemiology with this summer course.
I’m also really grateful for this opportunity because it has inspired others. Since attending the course, people have reached out to me for advice about the Summer School and the Trueta Bursary, and I’ve been happy to support and encourage them to apply.
How did you enjoy the week?
I really enjoyed it – it was interesting and fun! I liked the balance between the theoretical sessions in the morning and the practical sessions in the afternoon because it helped reinforce what we had learned each day. I was excited to have the opportunity to meet other people from different backgrounds. Not everyone was a healthcare professional, but I love how the science and healthcare world is so collaborative, and it’s really interesting to see how people with different expertise can come together to improve public health.
What was the highlight of the week for you?
I loved Professor Mina Tadrous’ presentation which showed how real-world data can be used in regulatory decision making. It related to my work in Paraguay, a low-income country which works collaboratively with organisations such as the Pan American Health Organisation and the World Health Organisation. So, it was fascinating to learn what other countries, such as Canada, are doing and an opportunity to take some tools and try and implement them in my country. I also really valued the opportunity to build an international network as these connections create opportunities for us to achieve something more meaningful than we might be able to achieve alone.
How do you think this experience will influence your work or future career?
After completing my Master's, I am returning to Paraguay and will apply what I have learned. The Summer School has helped me be prepared for the new regulations for pharmaco-epidemiological studies recently introduced in Paraguay and provided the knowledge, the tools, the contacts and the networks for me to be able to make an impact. I hope to share what I have learned both on my master’s and on the Summer School with my colleagues and encourage more people to develop expertise in this field.
I am really grateful for the opportunity to attend the Summer School at Oxford. It’s been a dream and to have the chance to attend through the Trueta Bursary was exciting. I hope to make the most of the opportunity and the connections and do some great things in my country to strengthen the pharmacoepidemiology field and continuing building international partnerships to improve medicines safety. Also wishing this is only the beginning of a long-term collaboration with the Oxford Real World Evidence community.