After obtaining a Physics MPhys from the University of Exeter in 2017, I went into industry where I worked primarily in software engineering. In 2020, I joined the University of Southampton on the MiNDS CDT programme.
My interests are primarily focussed on the use of machine learning for cyber and hardware security. I have recently taken part in a small project working on trustworthy autonomous systems which I also found quite interesting.
Research Engineer at the IT Innovation Centre, as part of the ECS Centre for Health Technologies.
From a background of Astrophysics (PhD - University of St. Andrews & Flatiron Institute, New York), Chris specialises in developing trustworthy and explainable machine learning algorithms. Closely aligned with University Hospital Southampton, Chris works directly with both clinicians and patients to develop tools that can improve healthcare.
Ongoing Projects:
- mySmartCOPD (NHSX £1.5 million): mySmartCOPD aims to develop a personalised AI-enhanced platform (building on mymhealth's app myCOPD) which informs users (who have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - COPD) if they are likely to exacerbate in the near-future. By providing an early warning, people living with COPD have an opportunity to take action to prevent an exacerbation or lessen its severity. The project aims to empower users by having more control over their condition, enabling medication to be used more appropriately, and enable NHS resources to be used more efficiently. Chris leads the development and visualisations of the AI component for the project, which is to be used as part of a large clinical trial.
- AISmartCorps (InnovateUK - £626,367): Financial service companies acquire huge volumes of data which require checking for, and resolving, errors. This is a time consuming and often overly manual set of tasks that put staff under significant pressures which can lead to resourcing challenges and increased business risks. In addition, as data volumes increase, companies are finding it harder and harder to effectively check every line of data and have to choose where to focus their efforts to minimise risks. AISmartCorps aims to develop and deploy state-of-the-art AI algorithms for automating error detection and recommendations for appropriate resolutions, thus reducing this significant burden on staff and allowing them to focus on more valuable and skillful tasks for the company. Chris contributes to the development of AI components for the project.
- COdesigning Trustworthy Autonomous Diabetes Systems (TASHUB - £100,000): COTADS aims to develop trustworthy algorithms for people with type-1 diabetes during life transitions (i.e. as they transition from paediatric to adult care units). The project involves people with type-1 diabetes, clinicians, and data scientists who together explore where machine learning can be effective, and identify how best to communicate AI to better acceptance. Chris leads the development and visualisations of the AI component for the project.
Recent Projects:
- TriagED Decision support algorithms for emergency departments (Alan Turing Institute - £100,000): Emergency departments (EDs) in the UK are under sustained and increasing pressure. A key aspect of EDs is the ability to 'triage' patients (i.e. assess the immediate risk to the individual), however, under significant pressure it can be difficult to comprehensive assess every patient in a timely manner. TriagED investigated how machine learning algorithms could be used as decision support tools, to help improve the safety and efficiency within UHS's ED. Chris led a research piece which developed a model that predicted patient hospital admission ahead-of-time (i.e. from the ED), and explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patient admissions.
- CO@home (NHS): COVID-19 has placed unprecedented demands on hospitals. A clinical service, COVID Oximetry @home (HSJ Patient Safety Award 2021) was launched in November 2020 to support remote monitoring of COVID-19 patients in the community. Remote monitoring through CO@h aims to identify early patient deterioration and provide timely escalation for cases of silent hypoxia, while reducing the burden on secondary care. Chris contributed to the data analysis evaluating the efficacy of the intervention.
Duckworth, Christopher, Chmiel, Francis P., Burns, Daniel, Zlatev, Zlatko D., White, Neil M., Daniels, Thomas W. V., Kiuber, Michael and Boniface, Michael J. (2021) Using explainable machine learning to characterise data drift and detect emergent health risks for emergency department admissions during COVID-19. Scientific Reports, 11 (1), [23017]. (doi:10.1038/s41598-021-02481-y).
Boniface, Michael, Burns, Daniel, Duckworth, Chris, Duruiheoma, Franklin, Armitage, Htwe, Ratcliffe, Naomi, Duffy, John, O’Keeffe, Caroline and Inada-Kim, Matt (2021) COVID Oximetry @home: evaluation of patient outcomes. medRxiv. (doi:10.1101/2021.05.29.21257899).
Email: C.J.Duckworth@soton.ac.uk
University of Southampton student Emily Wayland has been named the UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF) Scholar of the Year.
The MEng Electronic Engineering student, whose scholarship is sponsored by Arm, is the seventh Southampton student to win the honour in the past 10 years.
Her Southampton peer Oana Lazar also received a special commendation for her outstanding entry, representing a first in the competition's history.
The Scholar of the Year Award, sponsored by IC Resources, recognises students that have made a significant contribution through a work placement and actively promoted the study of STEM subjects to young people.
Emily says: "I feel so honoured to be selected as 2020’s UKESF Scholar of the Year, particularly out of so many other inspiring students that I have met during my time at university and as a scholar.
"I chose to study electronics because I was fascinated with technology and I wanted to learn more about how things work. I am so grateful that I have been able to share my passion for electronics with school students and to inspire the next generation of engineers, particularly girls who are interested in STEM."
UKESF Scholarships boost students' career prospects through an annual bursary, paid work placements and mentoring from a leading employer in the electronics sector. Scholarships were awarded to 21 Southampton students in 2020, representing over a third of all those granted to the 22 universities in the scheme.
Emily adds: "As one of the many opportunities provided by the UKESF, I attended the WES Student Conference this year, to learn from inspiring women in the technology industry what I could achieve with hard work. I would really like to thank my sponsoring company, Arm, who went above and beyond to give me the best summer internship experience possible, in a rather difficult year.
"I feel so proud to be recognised not only for my academic achievements, but also for my contributions to my university community and to the promotion of electronics, both of which have been such an important part of my four years at university. I never expected to win this award, but it has been such a boost to my confidence and will really help to kickstart my professional career."
Oana Lazar is studying Electronic Engineering with Industrial Studies at Southampton and was named the runner-up of the UKESF 2020 Automotive Electronics Competition late last year with a thought-provoking take on the future of driverless vehicles.
She says: "In the past two years as a Scholar, the UKESF has taught me that becoming an engineer is about much more than knowledge and good grades, setting me on a path to joining a far greater community of people who are, in the most literal of terms, changing the world. My summer internship with UltraSoC provided me with a taste of being a ‘real’ engineer, and my 12-month placement is helping me continue on this incredible journey.
"I am extremely grateful to the UKESF for providing me with the opportunities, connections, and confidence to develop myself as a student, engineer, and a member of the community, and I am truly honoured to receive the judges’ first ever High Commendation for the UKESF’s Scholar of the Year award, in 2020."
Professor Geoff Merrett, ECS Director of Outreach and Recruitment, says: "Many congratulations to Emily and Oana on their successes, which are very well deserved. I’m delighted that this continues a long list of successes for Southampton in the Award's history."