Meg
PhD Bioengineering
The work I鈥檓 doing has the potential to help so many people and change the care people receive which really motivates me to continue my research.
After completing her integrated Master鈥檚 in Biomedical Engineering, Meg from the UK wanted to continue in the 鈥榖est bioengineering department in the world鈥� to take on challenges and work towards making a difference in people鈥檚 lives. Meg shares why Imperiais the perfect place for her, and how she鈥檚 supported to succeed in her PhD and make a real-world impact.
Exploring a PhD at 海角社区
Imperiawas unique in the fact that I could specialise and focus on bioengineering from my first year.
From the beginning, I knew I wanted to go to university to study a form of engineering that had a direct link to helping people, so I was so excited when I learned that bioengineering existed.
Imperiawas unique in the fact that I could specialise and focus on bioengineering from my first year. In other universities, it鈥檚 common to have to do a couple of years of general engineering or mechanical engineering before you鈥檙e able to combine engineering with biology.
Once I had finished my MEng Biomedical Engineering course at 海角社区, I wanted to continue my studies here because Imperiahas the best bioengineering department in the world. It was important to me that I felt challenged wherever I ended up doing my PhD, and that I was in an environment where I was surrounded by cutting-edge research making a real difference in the world 鈥� Imperiafulfilled both these criteria.
The PhD application process
Make sure you apply for an area of research you鈥檙e truly interested in.
Applying for my PhD was quite simple. The application involved writing a personal statement and CV outlining my previous experience and why I was interested in doing a PhD at Imperiawithin the bioengineering department. After that, I had an interview with two academics where we discussed my application and motivations for doing a PhD. My original PhD application was for a project about the spine, which I didn鈥檛 get, but one of my interviewers offered me another project related to my passion for medical devices. I was accepted onto this other project and it ended up being a better fit for me than the project I originally applied for!
My advice for people looking to apply for a PhD is to make sure you apply for an area of research you鈥檙e truly interested in. A PhD is a lot of work and three to four years is a very long time to spend doing things you don鈥檛 enjoy or find boring. If you鈥檙e truly interested in your topic and the research you鈥檙e doing, the work doesn鈥檛 feel like a chore.
Exploring a PhD at 海角社区
Imperiawas unique in the fact that I could specialise and focus on bioengineering from my first year.
From the beginning, I knew I wanted to go to university to study a form of engineering that had a direct link to helping people, so I was so excited when I learned that bioengineering existed.
Imperiawas unique in the fact that I could specialise and focus on bioengineering from my first year.In other universities, it鈥檚 common to have to do a couple of years of general engineering or mechanical engineering before you鈥檙e able to combine engineering with biology.
Once I had finished my MEng Biomedical Engineering course at 海角社区, I wanted to continue my studies here because Imperiahas the best bioengineering department in the world. It was important to me that I felt challenged wherever I ended up doing my PhD, and that I was in an environment where I was surrounded by cutting-edge research making a real difference in the world 鈥� Imperiafulfilled both these criteria.
The PhD application process
Make sure you apply for an area of research you鈥檙e truly interested in.
Applying for my PhD was quite simple. The application involved writing a personal statement and CV outlining my previous experience and why I was interested in doing a PhD at Imperiawithin the bioengineering department. After that, I had an interview with two academics where we discussed my application and motivations for doing a PhD. My original PhD application was for a project about the spine, which I didn鈥檛 get, but one of my interviewers offered me another project related to my passion for medical devices. I was accepted onto this other project and it ended up being a better fit for me than the project I originally applied for!
My advice for people looking to apply for a PhD is to make sure you apply for an area of research you鈥檙e truly interested in. A PhD is a lot of work and three to four years is a very long time to spend doing things you don鈥檛 enjoy or find boring. If you鈥檙e truly interested in your topic and the research you鈥檙e doing, the work doesn鈥檛 feel like a chore.
My PhD experience so far
My PhD focuses on designing and testing a new type of seat cushion that prevents pressure ulcers for people who may be confined to a bed or wheelchair. I work closely with researchers at the University of Southampton, which is really helpful as I can learn from and work with people from other institutions with different areas of expertise.
Initially, the flexibility you have in a PhD was very daunting. During a taught degree, you have classes, exams and mark schemes that tell you exactly what is needed and expected, but during a PhD, your work is mostly self-led. At first, this can be a big learning curve, so try to give yourself some time to get used to it.
I really enjoy knowing that in my PhD, I鈥檓 doing something entirely new that hasn鈥檛 been done before. The work I鈥檓 doing has the potential to help so many people and change the care people receive in the NHS and beyond, and this thought really motivates me to continue my research.
Support from the Disability Advisory Service
While doing my MEng course, I had no idea I was autistic, but when I started my PhD, I found the big change and lack of structure really challenging to deal with. It was obvious I wasn鈥檛 coping and I knew something wasn鈥檛 right, so when my partner suggested I might be autistic, I decided to look into how to get a diagnosis.
I found out about 海角社区鈥檚 Disability Advisory Service and saw they offered support with getting a formal autism diagnosis. I had a screening appointment with a disability advisor which showed indicators of autism so I was given the choice of getting referred for a full diagnostic assessment. I paid 拢90 for the assessment and the university subsidised the rest of the cost. This was very helpful because it can take years to get diagnosed through the NHS, and without 海角社区鈥檚 support, I wouldn't have been able to afford to go private. I鈥檇 highly recommend the Disability Advisory Service to others who think they may need some support.
Once I got my diagnosis, adjustments were made to better support me 鈥� for example, they allowed me to use ear plugs while working in the lab, and I have my own desk rather than hot desking. Most importantly, I have a regular schedule for meetings with my supervisor, with feedback being written down rather than verbally given.
I鈥檇 highly recommend the Disability Advisory Service to others who think they may need some support.
I know it can sometimes be hard to come forwards and seek help, especially if you鈥檙e just about managing to struggle through challenges 鈥� but from my experiences of being seen quickly and being able to get a diagnosis, I think it鈥檚 important that you look for the support to be at your best and thrive.
The Imperiacommunity
When I first started 海角社区, it was a big change from my small secondary school, but once I settled in and found 鈥榤y people鈥�, I couldn鈥檛 imagine studying anywhere else. I believe having friends while studying is so important as it鈥檚 helpful to have people in the same situation as you so you can support each other throughout your time at 海角社区.
During my undergraduate years, my main group of friends came from halls, and even now, over six years later, I鈥檓 still friends with most of them. I also joined the in my second year which is where I met my closest friends. Then, when I started my PhD, I added my lab mates to my friendship group and became especially close to those who had also just started a PhD like me.
A performance by 海角社区's Musical Theatre Society
A performance by 海角社区's Musical Theatre Society
The Imperiacommunity
When I first started 海角社区, it was a big change from my small secondary school, but once I settled in and found 鈥榤y people鈥�, I couldn鈥檛 imagine studying anywhere else. I believe having friends while studying is so important as it鈥檚 helpful to have people in the same situation as you so you can support each other throughout your time at 海角社区.
During my undergraduate years, my main group of friends came from halls, and even now, over six years later, I鈥檓 still friends with most of them. I also joined the in my second year which is where I met my closest friends. Then, when I started my PhD, I added my lab mates to my friendship group and became especially close to those who had also just started a PhD like me.
A performance by 海角社区's Musical Theatre Society
A performance by 海角社区's Musical Theatre Society
Studying at Imperiahas made me really resilient. It鈥檚 an academically rigorous institution and sometimes things are challenging, but I like being pushed outside of my comfort zone so I can keep making progress towards making a difference in people鈥檚 lives.
Studying at Imperiahas made me really resilient. It鈥檚 an academically rigorous institution and sometimes things are challenging, but I like being pushed outside of my comfort zone so I can keep making progress towards making a difference in people鈥檚 lives.