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Cohort 4

Lois Galletly

I did an MEng in Biomedical Engineering at Imperial before the CDT, where my final year project was looking at hip forces and muscle recruitments in musculoskeletal modelling of bilateral transfemoral amputee gait, which drove my interest in biomechanics and lower-limb prostheses. 

My PhD project is going to be looking to design an adjustable prosthetic socket for lower limb amputees to address variations in comfort and fit. This will be based at Imperial College, supervised by Professor Anthony Bull.

Recently my hobbies include running, hill-walking and a bit of indoor climbing. I also find cooking relaxing, and enjoy listening to music. 

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Cohort 4

Ruth Brown

Host Institution: University of Strathclyde

Project Topic: Micro-engineered devices for assessing cellular responses to mechanical stimulation of ex-vivo tissues.

I studied Biomedical Engineering at Glasgow University (although, before this, I did strongly consider the P&O clinical degree). My main interests were Rehabilitation Engineering, 3D Printing Micro Devices, and Entrepreneurship.

After completing the BEng, I joined a start-up providing Orthodontic support and highlighting the need for more clinical evidence in the medical field, the disconnect between manufacturers, clinics and clinicians and the impact this has on those seeking treatment. 

I still hadn’t lost my interest in P&O and finally committed to the clinical undergrad. I was surprised by the lack of clinical evidence and excited about how the field could develop. I completed the first year but was inspired by the CDT and the issues it aims to address.

Hobbies: All things artistic and musical! Sports used to be involved there, but sudoku took its place during Covid. I do still love travelling, adventures and the great outdoors, though!

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Cohort 4

Elana Nerwich

Host Institution: University of Southampton

Background: MEng Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering

PHD topic: Wearable Technologies to Assist Gait Biomechanical Analysis in Daily Living

Project Description: The project will look at gait analysis, using wearable technology to monitor gait, and improve understanding of gait in daily living.

Supervisor: Liudi Jiang Hobbies and Interests: Reading, painting, photography, ballet

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Cohort 4

Emma Curati-Alasonatti

Host Institution: University of Strathclyde

Background: MEng Electronic Engineering with Computer Systems

PhD Project: Continuous regional oxygen saturation monitoring in prosthetic sockets 

Hobbies: crafting, cooking and learning Italian

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Cohort 4

Peter Mazzey

I completed my undergraduate master’s degree at the University of Bath in Mechanical Engineering, during which time I undertook a research project looking at the design and thermal analysis of a novel total artificial heart device developed by the company Scandinavian Realheart. I continued working with the company during the summer of my final year, looking at the design and fluid mechanics of the outlet pipe of the device, before continuing my studies at Imperial College where I completed an MRes course in Bioengineering. My project for this course looked at the effect head shape has on the failure mechanics of trapezium replacement implants used in first carpal metacarpal joint arthroplasty.

My current project is looking to develop a low-cost, scalable, automated design-through-manufacture pipeline for patient specific footwear as an early intervention treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. This will be done at Imperial College and my supervisor is Dr Connor Myant.

My hobbies include music (both playing and seeing live events), travel and volleyball.

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Cohort 4

Raisul Akram

Project Title: Methodology for country-level investment case for P&O 

Supervisors: Alec Morton, Arjan Buis

My name is Raisul Akram and I am from Bangladesh. After having my university degree in Health Economics, I worked for different organizations (national, international, and UN) with the aim of contributing to research and public health interventions for improving the health status of the people. I am experienced in health economics research, low-cost innovations, and the area of health systems strengthening in lower and middle-income country settings. I love site seeing, swimming, cycling, watching movies, and reading fiction and non-fiction novels. 

My host institute is the University of Strathclyde and I’m very much excited to benign my PhD journey.

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Cohort 4

Angel Galbert

Project theme:  My project is on the development of upper limb orthotics with functional grip and gesture assistance. The research will cover aspects of actuation, intelligent systems, and user intent. 

Supervisors: 1st Professor Xiu Yan and 2nd Dr Arjan Buis (University of Strathclyde)

Background: Originally from Martinique, I came to the UK at a young age for my studies. I completed my MEng in Mechatronics and Robotic engineering at the University of Sheffield and based my dissertation on developing an E-glove for use in hand rehabilitation therapy. My research inspired me to continue development in medical devices and led me to apply for the CDT in P&O.

Hobbies: My hobbies include painting, board games, tabletop RPGs (specifically Pathfinder 2E), and keeping up with my favourite shows.

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Cohort 3

Rita Kharboush

I completed my Meng in biomedical engineering at UCL. My masters’ studies focused on brain-machine interfaces, rehabilitation and assistive technologies, and my thesis was on machine learning for MRI. My current research is based on providing sensory feedback to amputees using spinal cord stimulation. When I’m not nerding out about prosthetics, I enjoy playing sports, painting and watching comedy shows.

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Cohort 3

Morag Robertson

Having just completed a MSc in Biomedical Engineering, I would like to use this and recent experience of transtibial amputation, prosthesis use and rehabilitation services to help optimise prosthetic socket fit and residual limb health awareness from a user perspective.

Prior to this I worked in broadcast engineering for Aljazeera Media Network and the BBC, having gained a BEng in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from Strathclyde University.

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Cohort 3

Fiona Sunderland

Host institution: University of Southampton 

Project title: Digital Prosthetics: Machine Learning and human challenges in designing and testing next-generation personalised limbs.

I’m Fiona and I come from Epping Forest. I have been studying at the University of Southampton since 2016, during which I completed a BSc in mathematics, worked as a sabbatical officer in the student union and have just finished an MSc in Biomedical Engineering. For my Masters’ project I worked under the supervision of Alex Dickinson in creating a statistical shape model of the transtibial amputated limb model and for my PhD will be continuing to build upon this. Outside of my studies I am an avid musician, playing flute, alto/tenor/bari saxophone, bass guitar, double bass etc in various University of Southampton bands/orchestras.