Alumni spotlight: Mingxuan Wu

Studying Health Economics and Decision Science at UCL Institute for Global Health (IGH) gave me the foundations I now draw on every day in my career. Since graduating in 2024, I have joined the Manchester Centre for Health Economics (MCHE) at The University of Manchester, where I work as a Research Associate.

At MCHE, we specialise in using decision-analytical models to evaluate the cost effectiveness of a wide range of interventions, including therapeutics, diagnostics and digital health solutions. My day-to-day role involves conducting health economics research, working closely with clinicians and patients, and coordinating external research seminars across the centre.

One of the reasons I chose to study at IGH was the University’s global reputation and impact in healthcare research. Receiving an offer from IGH was an exciting opportunity, and the experience more than lived up to my expectations.

What stood out most about the programme was the breadth of advanced courses available. The range of modules allowed me to strengthen my technical skills and develop expertise that has proved highly relevant to my current role. Even now, I continue to draw on both the technical and soft skills I developed during my studies when tackling practical challenges in health economics research.

A particularly valuable example is a module on medical statistics, which provided me with a strong understanding of non-parallel clinical trial designs. That knowledge remains important in my work today, whether I am reviewing evidence on clinical effectiveness or engaging with clinical trials as part of research projects.

The support I received from staff at IGH also played a significant role in helping me transition into my career. Both the programme lead and my personal tutor were incredibly supportive throughout the job application process. The programme lead gave me valuable interview advice and regularly shared career opportunities with students, which made a real difference as I prepared to take the next step after graduation.

Alongside the academic experience, living and studying in London was a fascinating part of my time at UCL. I found the city to be highly inclusive, with opportunities to meet people from all over the world. That international outlook was reflected at IGH itself and contributed greatly to my overall experience.

Looking back, my time at IGH equipped me with the knowledge, skills and support network that helped launch my career in health economics research. The lessons I learned there continue to inform my work every day.