We speak to Alka Singh about her experience of joining Mtech Access' Systematic Review team. We learn about her career to date, her move to the UK, and the work she has undertaken since joining the team.
What led you to pursue a career in HEOR?
I started my journey in Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) after completing my master's degree in Pharmaceutics at the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education And Research (NIPER) Hyderabad, India. During my time at university, I worked on a project that focused on developing dosage formulations for diabetes. Although wet lab work wasn't my strong suit, I developed an interest in researching healthcare environments, which led me to secure my first job at a consultancy, as part of a campus placement.
Since then, I spent over 5 years working at two different consultancies, gaining valuable insights and skills in HEOR.
What motivated you to join Mtech Access?
I moved to the UK in February, as my partner landed an exciting job opportunity here. I was on the lookout for a role that both matched my background in HEOR and systematic literature review (SLR), and offered room to learn and grow.
What really stood out to me about Mtech Access specifically, was the fascinating projects that they’d worked on, which were outlined in their Case Studies. It clearly demonstrated the company's dedication to impactful work in this field, which perfectly aligned with my career goals.
I also learnt that the Systematic Review (SR) team were highly experienced, with many of the team having worked directly with the Evidence Review Group and England’s Health Technology Assessment (HTA) body: the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). This gave me the opportunity to gain deeper insights into how SRs are assessed by these bodies.
After the interview, the team left a lasting positive impression on me, as everyone I met was super friendly. It reflected the company's welcoming culture and made me even more excited to be part of their team.
What have you got involved with in your first few weeks with Mtech Access?
In my first few weeks, I dove into induction meetings and training. This gave me a better understanding of the different teams and the company’s vision. I've also had some fun team outings, like a welcome lunch in Bicester and a BBQ boat social in London – the food was surprisingly yummy!
In terms of the work that I’ve been involved with, I’ve provided support with SLRs for HTA submissions in areas such as obesity and oncology. I've also been hands-on with several project proposals, which has given me a solid grasp of project budgeting.
Right now, I'm managing a couple of clinical and non-clinical SLRs intended for HTA submission in oncology. It's been a engaging experience so far!
What have you learnt from your first interactions with the team?
I've noticed a warm and friendly atmosphere. Everyone is approachable and ready to help, which has given me the chance to ask questions. Even though the SR team is spread across different offices, we stay connected and collaborate seamlessly through Teams. It's a great environment for teamwork and mutual support, where the organisational structure encourages collaboration.
What has surprised you most about Mtech Access?
What struck me as most remarkable was the absolute clarity and transparency in their goals and objectives during the initial probation period. The roles were exceptionally well-defined, leaving no room for ambiguity.
Additionally, I was pleasantly surprised by their strategic choice of office location in London, right by Paddington station. It’s perfect – when you step out, you find yourself right at the station platform. It's a hidden gem.
If you could swap your expertise and role with a colleague from another team, who would you swap with?
I'd probably pick someone from the Health Economic Modelling team. I'm really curious about the work they do with those intricate Excel and macro tools – it would be fascinating to see how they build those.
Or I would swap to the market access team. I do have some experience in that area, but it's interesting to see how payers perceive evidence in the real world.
When you are not at work, what do you like to do?
I love spending time with my husband. We really enjoy heading to the nearby farmer's market and taking leisurely walks through our neighbourhood. Since we both share a passion for trying new foods, we often explore new places to indulge in different cuisines.
To learn more about how our Systematic Review team can support your evidence and HEOR strategy, please email info@mtechaccess.co.uk.
If you are interested in joining our team at Mtech Access, please visit our careers page for details of our current vacancies.
