Bradley Menz is from the College of Medicine and Public Health and is one of the recipients for the 2024 Best Higher Degree by Research Student Publication Award.
Bradley’s publication was titled “Current safeguards, risk mitigation, and transparency measures of large language models against the generation of health disinformation: repeated cross sectional analysis”
We invited Bradley to share insights into the PhD journey and what winning this award means.
What does your publication explore?
We set out to explore just how effectively today’s AI language models are protecting the public from health disinformation. Specifically, we tested whether large language models would generate false yet persuasive health narratives—like claims that sunscreen causes cancer or that the alkaline diet cures it. Just as important, we assessed how transparent the developers were in acknowledging and responding to the issues we uncovered, including whether they had clear reporting pathways and showed any evidence of acting on flagged vulnerabilities
What is your research about?
Our publication investigates whether publicly accessible AI language models can be misused to generate harmful health disinformation and how effectively current safeguards prevent this from occurring. We also evaluate the transparency and responsiveness of AI developers when such vulnerabilities are identified
Tell us about your PhD journey so far
My PhD journey has been incredibly rewarding. Over the past two years, I’ve had the chance to develop unique skills in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computer programming—particularly in Python and R. It’s been a rare and valuable opportunity to focus deeply on research, all while being surrounded by a team of experts in the field. Now, as I enter my final year, it’s exciting to see my thesis coming together. Looking back, I’m genuinely amazed at the progress I’ve made and the breadth of skills I’ve gained along the way
What advice would you give to current or prospective PhD students?
Make sure you’re the right fit for the project.
Before diving into a PhD, take the time to really understand what you’re signing up for. Sit down with the research team and ask what a typical day looks like. Get a feel for the rhythm of the work and the expectations. Most importantly, clarify early on what kind of support you’ll need to succeed—whether that’s regular check-ins, help with specific skills like statistics, or structured mentorship throughout the program.
Try before you commit.
I’m a big believer in doing some work experience with the research group before officially starting. It’s a great way to sense-check whether the environment and project truly align with your interests and working style. A short trial period can give you clarity—and confidence—that this is the right path for you.
Write as you go.
If there’s one habit that’s helped me the most during my PhD, it’s writing continuously. Sharing drafts early and getting feedback along the way has made the final-year thesis crunch far less daunting. I’ve also aimed to publish each chapter during my candidature, which not only tracks my progress but makes the whole journey feel more tangible and rewarding.
Why did you choose to commence a PhD?
After more than five years working as a clinical pharmacist in the hospital setting, I was eager to deepen my research capabilities. I’ve always been passionate about driving improvements in patient care through hospital-based projects, but balancing full-time clinical work with research aspirations was a constant challenge. Pursuing a PhD offered a rare opportunity to focus fully on high-quality research, with the time and resources to truly do it justice.
Taking the leap was the hardest part—but once I was immersed in the research environment, I absolutely loved it. Being part of something bigger, with the potential to create real impact, has been incredibly fulfilling.
What are your future goals and plans? / Where do you see your career heading in the future?
Entering the final year of my PhD is incredibly exciting. I’m aiming to submit my thesis by next February and hope to continue working with my current team as a post-doctoral research fellow—consolidating my skills and supporting more junior members of the group. Looking ahead, I plan to maintain my clinical pharmacy practice while exploring opportunities to collaborate with industry. I’m particularly interested in applying my expertise in artificial intelligence to real-world healthcare challenges, where I believe there’s enormous potential to make a meaningful impact.