PhD Student Research

PhD Student Research

Title: Using Routine Data for Target Trial Emulation: A Mental Health Case Study Within the Target Therapies Project 

Student:  Yoojung Che (self-funded), University College London (UCL)

Supervisors: 

Karla Diaz Ordaz (Professor of Biostatistics, Department of Statistical Science, UCL) 

Michail Katsoulis (Associate Professor in Biomedical Statistics/ Data Science, UCL)
Matthew Franklin (Senior Health Economist, University of Sheffield)

Overview

Yoojung is undertaking doctoral research in Health Economics at University College London, supervised by Karla Diaz-Ordaz, Michalis Katsoulis, and Matt Franklin. Her research focusses on applying the target trial emulation framework to strengthen causal inference from observational data, thereby improving the validity and reliability of real-world evidence. Specifically, she is estimating the causal effect of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for depression using routinely collected data from the Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression services. Her work aims to enhance the methodological rigour of health technology assessment and inform evidence-based decision-making in mental health policy and clinical practice.