Spencer Xu, a UWA Master of Business Analytics student, recently wrapped up a 100-hour Research Impact Intern role by presenting her data analysis work at the Raine Study Symposium 2025.
The Raine Study, who hosted Spencer’s internship, is one of the world’s longest running pre-birth cohort studies and has evolved into a leading world-class research-enabling platform, advancing knowledge of human health across the life course. It has collected biological and lifestyle information from three, and sometimes four, generations since 1989.
As Research Impact Intern, Spencer worked on a report and visualisations to demonstrate the broader value and influence of the Raine Study nationally and internationally using data.
“The Raine Study has spent 36 years building strong relationships with its participants. That trust means they keep coming back to volunteer their information. This gives researchers access to incredibly robust longitudinal data, and with over 780 research papers published to date using Raine Study data, I had plenty of information to work with,” she explained.
“I reviewed the 234 citations of the study and corresponding publications over the past 35 years, grouping them by the citing policy bodies, regions, policies and themes to see where and how the Raine Study has been making an impact. I found this project incredibly meaningful. It challenged me to develop my ability to tell a story through data, and my work provided strong evidence that the Raine Study is delivering strong impact.”
Blagica Penova-Veselinovic, Scientific Manager at the Raine Study, said that Spencer’s internship efforts had helped demonstrate how the study has contributed to evidence-based policies in real-world settings. Her work highlighted the average time lag between generating research findings and their integration into reports, guidelines, and policy reviews, providing valuable insight into the translation of research into practice.
“It was an absolute pleasure mentoring Spencer. She brought a strong work ethic and a thoughtful, professional approach to the task. Her diligence and ability to apply her knowledge and skills really stood out, and she delivered a high-quality work evidenced by the fabulous presentation at the Raine Study Symposium. Spencer was a joy to work with and a real asset to the team.” Ms Penova-Veselinovic said.
The internship experience was a valuable opportunity for Spencer to gain professional experience, and she also gained perspective on the role and nature of research.
“Importantly, my internship provided me with the chance to translate qualitative information into structured, quantitative data that can be analysed systematically. I found this process both challenging and rewarding, as it bridged the gap between narrative evidence and measurable research impact,” Spencer said.
“It surprised me to learn how human-centred and long-term research can be. The internship was a great way to be involved in this kind of study, and to connect with professionals and the community locally.”