David Clifton will deploy his healthcare expertise in big data and machine learning as Drayson solidifies its Oxford digital health connections.
David Clifton, an associate professor of engineering science at University of Oxford, was on Tuesday made research director of digital healthcare developer Drayson Health in a joint appointment with the university.
Clifton secured the role based on his work in big data and machine learning for the health sector. He is expected to continue leading the Computational Health Informatics laboratory at Oxford’s Institute of Biomedical Engineering.
The appointment is intended to smooth the translation of Oxford research into healthcare technologies Drayson is developing for the UK National Health Service (NHS) and international markets.
Drayson Health, which currently operates from Oxford’s Big Data Institute, is part of tech group Drayson Technologies. It is helping commercialise three digital health products based on Oxford research under a February 2017 arrangement with the university and public health board Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
That deal blossomed five months later into a broader strategic agreement on digital health that also includes the university’s tech transfer office, Oxford University Innovation.
Drayson has also licensed health algorithm patents held by Clifton, who is currently exploring how anonymised clinical data might be utilised through methods including deep learning to provide evidence on health research and outcomes.
Clifton’s other projects include a machine-learning orientated approach to mobile healthcare systems in developing countries and an advanced early warning program for hospitals and out-patients.
He said: “Healthcare systems around the world have collected vast amounts of data which could hold the key to new scientific discoveries.
“Sensitivities understandably exist around moving and using healthcare data, however part of the attraction for me joining Drayson Health is the framework it has in place to ensure that discovery and applied research can be carried out ethically, responsibly and within the right regulatory framework – this is essential.”
– Image courtesy of LinkedIn
