Bioengineering

An award-winning Bioengineering PhD student’s science writing has driven growing public and media engagement with brain ageing research, creating new opportunities to communicate emerging technologies beyond the lab.

Vanessa Drevenakova, a PhD researcher in the Morse Lab in the Department of Bioengineering, has seen her research reach new audiences following the publication of an award-winning science communication piece in The Observer. The article, which won the MRC Max Perutz Award for Writing, explores how emerging technologies could help support brain health as we age.

The piece introduces readers to microglia – small but vital immune cells in the brain – and explains their role in maintaining brain function over time. Vanessa’s research investigates whether gentle sound waves, delivered through focused ultrasound, can help “reawaken” ageing microglia so they behave more like they do in younger brains. By restoring their function, the work aims to better understand how cognitive decline associated with ageing might be slowed or prevented.

Writing to reach new audiences

Vanessa entered the MRC Max Perutz Award to challenge herself to explain her research to a non-academic audience.

“I loved the idea of explaining why my research matters to people outside the lab,” she said. “Focused ultrasound can sound very futuristic, so this felt like a great opportunity to show what it actually does and why it could be important.”

Although writing was outside her comfort zone, she deliberately chose the writing category.
“This was a chance to step away from scientific writing and focus on the story behind the research,” she said. “It was surprisingly enjoyable and refreshing.”

At the heart of her article was a desire to highlight the importance of microglia, which she feels are often overlooked in discussions about the brain. She hoped readers would come away with a deeper appreciation of how complex the brain is, and how new ideas are emerging that may help people stay healthier for longer.

Growing public engagement through national media

Since the article was published, Vanessa has attracted significant media and public interest, particularly from people living with the conditions her research aims to address.

In December, she was invited to speak on Sky News’ morning programme, where she discussed how focused ultrasound could help slow or prevent aspects of brain ageing. During the interview, she explained how dysregulated microglia can contribute to inflammation, cognitive decline, and neurodegeneration, and outlined how non-invasive focused ultrasound could provide a new approach to supporting long-term brain health.

She described the experience as “surreal in the best possible way” and said she was grateful for the opportunity to share her research with a broad public audience.

The value of science communication in Bioengineering

Vanessa believes science communication is particularly important in fields such as bioengineering, where technologies can feel unfamiliar or difficult to visualise.

“Sharing science in a clear and accessible way helps people understand how these ideas work and builds trust,” she said. “When people understand what we’re doing and why it matters, it sparks curiosity and helps correct misconceptions.”

The writing process also gave her space to step back from the day-to-day detail of laboratory work.
“It reminded me that behind all the experiments, the real aim is to help people age in a healthier way,” she said. “It made me think more about the people who might eventually benefit from this research.”

Shaped by public engagement

Vanessa’s approach to communication has been shaped by her time in the Department of Bioengineering, including opportunities to engage with the public at events such as the Great Exhibition Road Festival.

“People are genuinely curious about what we do,” she said. “Those conversations really highlight how important outreach is and shape the way you communicate.”

When she found out she had won the award, Vanessa said she was initially shocked.
“It meant a lot to know that the story resonated not only with scientists, but also with members of the public.”

She hopes readers will come away feeling hopeful about the future of brain health, and curious about how emerging technologies could shape it.

Vanessa also acknowledged the support of the Medical Research Council, The Observer, and the MRC Max Perutz Award for championing science communication, as well as her supervisors, collaborators and funders for creating the environment that makes this work possible.

Read Bioengineering PhD student wins MRC Max Perutz Award for science communication in full

This edition of News You Can Use brings together practical updates, funding calls, training opportunities and useful notices shared by colleagues across Bioengineering and Imperial.

Explore what is available, take advantage of opportunities that support your work or studies, and stay informed about important developments for our community.

Stay updated: Get alerts for new theses in Spiral

Did you know that most Imperial PhD theses are freely available online?

The majority are open access in Spiral, Imperial’s digital repository, while a small number are restricted to Imperial users only.

Want to be notified when new Imperial PhD theses are added? Or celebrate a student’s achievement when they complete their doctorate?

With Spiral, you can subscribe to collections and receive email alerts straight to your inbox whenever new theses are published.

For Imperial users:

1. Go to Spiral. https://spiral.imperial.ac.uk
2. Log in via MySpiral using your university credentials.
3. Open the collection you want to follow (e.g., Physics PhD theses).
4. Click Subscribe and select your preferred frequency.
5. Manage your subscriptions here.

More information about the theses we hold:

The majority of Imperial PhD theses are available on open access in Spiral. Some are restricted to Imperial users only.

Imperial students and staff also have access to some Imperial Master’s dissertations.

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/admin-services/library/find-books-articles-and-more/theses/

Societal Engagement Seed Fund

The Societal Engagement Seed Fund is open for applications. The fund aims to support Imperial staff in engaging the wider public with their research. We currently have funds available for engaging public, community, and school audiences. Full details and an application form are available on the Societal Engagement Seed Fund webpage.

If you have any queries or would like to discuss a funding idea, please contact the Public and Community Engagement team.  We hope the fund will remain open and available throughout the year, but funding is limited, so we encourage interested applicants to apply as soon as they’re ready.

Funding opportunity open to ALL STAFF for collaborations with West Africa, India, Singapore and the USA

Apply now for up to £8,000 to kick-start research, education or innovation projects with partners in regions represented by Imperial’s global hubs!

• Supporting interdisciplinary research consortia
• Developing innovation and enterprise activities
• Enhancing education and student experience

New one-stop shop for International Opportunities for Staff and Students

• £8,000 grants available to all staff to kickstart collaborations with any of our four global hubs
• a funded two-day workshop opportunity in Viet Nam (details also below)
• A networking and workshop opportunity in sub-Saharan Africa for PhD students
• A seed fund to collaborate with Turkey’s leading university
• PhD opportunities with CNRS in France

Read News You Can Use: Spring 2026 in full

There is a wide range of events taking place across Bioengineering and Imperial this term, including flagship lectures, skills workshops, networking sessions and community celebrations.

Whether you are looking to broaden your research perspective, build collaborations, develop new skills or connect with colleagues, these opportunities are designed to enrich your experience and help you make the most of our community!

Culture Evening 2026: Connecting communities through culture
📅19 February 2026

Black in STEM: Dr Faith Uwadiae
📅19 February 2026

Time: 18.00 – 20.00
Location: Skempton 301

Are you a Black Imperial student interested in scientific research and how it can be more inclusive? Join Black @ Imperial and the Black Doctoral Network for an inspiring and informative conversation with Imperial alum Dr Faith Uwadiae and current PhD researcher, Maya Thabal Herron. This event will also include an audience Q&A and informal networking over pizza and Afro-Caribbean snacks.

Dr Uwadiae completed her PhD in biomedical research in 2018. Currently, she works at the Wellcome Trust as an Ecosystems Manager, where she leads work to support Black-led initiatives that enhance the careers of Black-heritage researchers.

Dr Uwadiae will be interviewed by Maya Thabal Herron. Maya is currently researching smart textiles and soft sensing systems at Imperial. She also chairs the Black Doctoral Network, a community of Black heritage PhD researchers at Imperial College dedicated to supporting one another throughout the doctoral journey and beyond.

Please register to ensure there is enough catering for everyone.

🎟️Register your attendance

Sex Differences in Biology: Emerging Data and Insights Symposium
📅23^rd – 24^th February 2026

This two-day symposium at the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, will bring together leading researchers from Japan and the United Kingdom to discuss the latest discoveries in sex differences across a range of areas, including sex chromosomes, epigenetics, developmental biology, immunity, metabolism and cancer.

As places are limited, we kindly ask that you register only if you are able to attend in person. If you would prefer to attend online, please email tyrese.williams@lms.mrc.ac.uk to request inclusion as a virtual attendee.

The registration deadline is February 12^th, 2026. We encourage early registration, as places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

 Click Here to Register

Open Research training for PAs and Research Administrators
📅24 February 2026

11:00 – 13:00, online via MS Teams

 This training session is aimed at PAs, EAs, research managers, or administrators involved in any aspect of the research publication process, or those keen to learn more about open research, research data management, open access, bibliometrics, and copyright.

There will be time to speak individually with the relevant experts in breakout rooms on Teams, if you wish, as well as a general Q&A (see agenda below).

This session runs about once a year. If you have attended in the past, you are welcome to join for a refresher. There will also be some new content on copyright.

Please email r.hibbert@imperial.ac.uk if you would like to be sent the meeting invite, or if you are unable to attend and would like to be added to a list to receive the recording. Feel free to pass on to colleagues who may be interested.

🎟️Email Ruth Hibbert to register attendance. 

From Bench to Business: Making IP work for you
📅 25th February 2026

12:00 pm – 1:15 pm (followed by a networking lunch)
LT300, City & Guilds Building, South Kensington Campus

How do academics and researchers make IP work for them? Learn how to start with the end in mind, prioritise what’s valuable and protectable, ensure your intellectual property is investment-ready, and understand what makes a good licensable technology.

Our panel of patent attorneys, academic entrepreneurs and industry experts will share expert guidance in a dynamic panel discussion format. The event will be followed by a networking lunch.

🎟️Read more and register.

Bioengineering Department Seminar with Professor Maïwenn Kersaudy-Kerh​oas
📅25 February 2026 | 16:00

Estranged Students Support Group
📅25 February 2026 | 15:30

The group is open to any Imperial student who has no or little contact with both parents. You do not need to be eligible for the support of the Imperial Underrepresented Student Support Team or meet the requirements for Estrangement according to the Student Loan Company to join this group.

This is a recurring group at 13.00-14.00 on Level 8 of the Chemistry Building at the South Kensington Campus. The dates of the next sessions are:

• Wednesday 25 February (time change! 15:30-16:30)
• Wednesday 25 March
• Wednesday 29 April
• Wednesday 20 May.

The group is a joint project of the Underrepresented Student Support Team and the Student Counselling and Mental Health Advice Service, and staff from both services will be present.

If you would like more information about Imperial’s support for estranged students, please visit the Underrepresented Students Support Team’s webpage: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/student-support-zone/student-services/underrepresented-students/

🎟️Register to attend

School of Convergence Science, Health and Technology. Mission Launch and Engagement Town Hall
📅2 March 2026 | 13:00

• Health inequity, driven by social, economic, and environmental factors
• Spiralling global health costs
• Sudden shocks, such as pandemics, conflict and climate disasters, and health system resilience.

President’s Address 2026
📅 11 March 2026 | 13.00

Join us on White City Campus for the annual President’s Address, delivered by Professor Hugh Brady, on Wednesday 11 March 2026 at 13.00

The Address will be followed by a lunch reception at The Works, Sir Michael Uren Hub.

🎟️Register to attend

Sir Ernst Chain Annual Lecture: Science as Revolution
📅 25 March 2026 | 17:00 – 18:00

Abstract
Science has brought about revolutionary changes in our understanding of ourselves and the natural world, which have acted as major drivers of our culture and civilisation. This scientific knowledge has, in turn, brought about revolutions in the ways that we live and in the technologies that support society.  A case can be made that science is the most revolutionary activity of humankind.

The lecture will be followed by a public reception until 19.30. 

🎟️Please register to attend the lecture.

Lifeline – a musical on antimicrobial resistance
📅28 March – 2 May

A group of Imperial PhD students, alumni, and a Professor will be performing in a new musical, Lifeline, which will run at Southwark Playhouse Elephant from 28 March to 2 May 2026. The production has transferred to London from off-Broadway.

Lifeline tells a dual story: one strand explores the present-day challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), while the other traces Sir Alexander Fleming’s 20th-century discovery of penicillin and its far-reaching impact. A unique aspect of the production is its rotating chorus, which is made up of scientists and healthcare professionals, placing scientific voices at the heart of both the narrative and the performance.

The musical offers an engaging and accessible way to introduce the public to the realities of AMR, while celebrating the role of scientists and healthcare professionals in addressing global health challenges.

The Imperial-affiliated performers include:

• Cecilia Longoni – PhD student, Life Sciences
• Céline Driessen – PhD student, Life Sciences
• Ryo Kuno – PhD student, Chemistry
• Solen Marqueste – Alumna, Chemical Engineering
• Nurin Abdul Aziz – Alumna, School of Medicine
• Prof. Ashley Brown – Professor of Practice (Viral Hepatitis)

🎟️More information about the production can be found here: https://www.lifelinemusical.com/

Research Computing Showcase Day 2026 – Call for abstracts & registration
📅21 April 2026 | 10:00-15:00

• Abstract deadline: 16 February 2026
• Notification: by 6 March 2026

• In-person (South Kensington): register by 14 April 2026
• Online: register by 21 April 2026

Read Events: Spring 2026 in full

2026 has gotten off to an exceptional start in the Department of Bioengineering, with staff and students achieving recognition across research, education, innovation, and public engagement.

This Spring 2026 Staff and Student Successes round-up brings together a selection of highlights from the past term, including funding awards, fellowships, competition results, publications, and external recognition.

We encourage you to read through the full list and join us in congratulating colleagues and students on their achievements. Taking a moment to recognise and share in these successes helps celebrate the collective strength and impact of our department.

Enterprise Fellowship awarded for translational research

Congratulations to Aditi Sitolay, Bioengineering MDDE MRes alumnus, who has been awarded a prestigious Enterprise Fellowship from the Royal Academy of Engineering.

The one-year fellowship, worth £75,000, supports researchers and recent graduates in developing engineering and technology innovations with commercial potential, providing protected time, funding, and training to explore market need, refine their proposition, and build a pathway to impact.

Aditi’s fellowship will support the translational development of bioadhesive hydrogels from the Celiz Lab, advancing this research toward real-world application.

Translational funding awarded for dental biomaterials research

Congratulations to the Celiz Lab, which has been awarded a Translational Fellows grant from the Rosetrees Trust.

The two-year award, worth £150,000, will support the translation of a bioadhesive medical technology developed in the lab.

Funding will enable testing of bioadhesive hydrogels with bacteria and support their development for dental applications, with the aim of reducing gum disease and associated bone resorption.

Bioengineering undergraduate recognised by WIRED as a Game Changer

Congratulations to undergraduate student Tomas Cermak, who has been named a Game Changer of 2025 in Science by WIRED. At 19, Tomas is the youngest person included in the magazine’s annual selection of people recognised for their impact across technology, science, and the arts.

In its coverage, WIRED Czechia & Slovakia highlighted Tomas’s work in opening up science to younger audiences and demonstrating that meaningful scientific contributions can be made early in a career.

Mentor of the Year recognition for laboratory training

Congratulations to Dr Florent Seichepine, Engineering Core Facilities Manager, who has been recognised as Mentor of the Year by CSR Scientific Training Ltd for his management and mentorship of laboratory apprentices!

The award recognises his contribution to supporting apprentices through their training and development within the laboratory environment.

Florent was also recently featured in the College’s On the Sofa with the Department of Bioengineering video, along with fourth-year undergraduate student Neo Perera, where he discusses his role supporting research infrastructure and facilities.

Third-place finish in national Inclusive Additive Design Challenge

Bioengineering undergraduate students Yanzi Jiang and Xinjing Li have secured third place in the National Inclusive Additive Design Challenge 2025. The competition focuses on empathy-driven engineering and inclusive, low-cost design across ability levels, ages, and neurodivergence.

Working as part of a cross-departmental team with students from Electrical and Electronic Engineering, they developed a cane rest design addressing real-world usability barriers, supported by a working FDM prototype. The team represented Imperial at the national finals hosted by Aston University, achieving a strong third-place result!

Distinction awarded alongside doctoral studies

Congratulations to Leah Redmond, final year PhD student in the Higgins Lab, who graduated with a Distinction (98%) in her Clinical Trichology Diploma from the Institute of Trichologists.

Alongside her PhD, Leah completed two years of clinical training, including lectures, patient consultations, and treatment sessions focused on the diagnosis of hair and scalp disorders. She plans to combine this clinical expertise with her doctoral research on the genetic mediators of hair thickness, supporting future translational approaches to hair loss treatment.

Award recognition for doctoral research in childhood disability

Congratulations to Dr Caitlin Edgar, Research Assistant, who won the annual Pursuit Award in Childhood Disability from the Bloorview Research Institute for her PhD thesis.

The award recognises outstanding research with the potential to improve outcomes for children and young people with disabilities. Dr Edgar’s thesis focused on paediatric prosthetic limb provision in low-resource environments, addressing challenges in access, design, and delivery of prosthetic care.

Imperial researchers lead global AI benchmark for cardiac MRI

Researchers from Imperial College London have led a major international initiative to establish a new global benchmark for artificial intelligence–driven cardiac MRI reconstruction through the CMRxRecon2024 Challenge. The project brought together hundreds of research groups worldwide to advance the evaluation of machine learning methods for accelerating and improving cardiovascular imaging.

The challenge was coordinated by Fanwen Wang, Research Assistant and Dr Zi Wang, Research Associate (Department of Bioengineering and Imperial-X), working with Dr Guang Yang, other Imperial researchers, and a wide network of global partners across Europe, Asia, North America, and the Middle East. More than 200 teams from 18 countries registered to take part, reflecting strong international engagement.

CMRxRecon2024 introduced one of the largest and most diverse raw cardiac MRI datasets released to date, along with open and standardised benchmarks that reflect real-world clinical complexity. The resulting datasets and findings have been published in leading medical imaging journals, and the organising team is now planning the next phase of the challenge, CMRxRecon2026.

Live workshop delivery at the London Science Museum

Nana Asante Asamoah-Danso, Bioengineering Laboratory Support Technician, was invited to deliver live workshop sessions at the London Science Museum’s Skills Fair in November 2025, engaging large audiences of visiting school groups.

Nana’s contribution formed a key part of the event programme, introducing young people to technical skills and career pathways through hands-on activities.

In addition, he authored an article for Times Higher Education on routes to professional registration for technicians, sharing practical insights drawn from sector experience.

UK–India research collaboration and inaugural lecture highlights

Professor Julien Vermot was among the Imperial researchers involved in projects selected for support through the India Connect Fund in October 2025. The scheme supports early-stage research collaborations between Imperial and partner institutions in India, enabling new international partnerships and exploratory research activity.

More recently, Professor Vermot’s inaugural lecture on 21 January was well attended! A recording of the lecture is available on YouTube.

Bioengineering research informs menstrual blood health innovation

Bioengineering researchers at Imperial are contributing to new work exploring how menstrual blood could be used as a valuable data source to improve understanding of women’s reproductive health. The research underpins the work of Genie Fertility, a startup co-founded by Dr Andreas Hadjimitsis, who completed his PhD in the Department of Bioengineering.

The project draws on Bioengineering expertise from Professor Rodrigo Ledesma Amaro and Dr Sylvain Ladame to support the analysis of menstrual blood samples, generating insights that could enable earlier diagnosis and improved management of conditions such as endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome.

Bioengineering academic elected to the US National Academy of Medicine

Professor Molly Stevens has been elected to the US National Academy of Medicine in recognition of her contributions to biomaterials research and biomedical engineering.

Election to the Academy is considered one of the highest honours in health and medicine, recognising researchers whose work has made a significant impact on research, clinical care, and public health.

Professor Stevens’ research spans fundamental materials science through to translational and clinical application, and has informed new approaches to tissue regeneration, point-of-care diagnostics, and medical technologies. Her work focuses on designing advanced biomaterials and biointerfaces, with applications across regenerative medicine, diagnostics, and global health.

Royal Microscopical Society Scientific Achievement Award

Dr Periklis Pantazis has been selected as a winner of the Royal Microscopical Society Scientific Achievement Award 2025. The award recognises sustained, independent excellence in microscopy and imaging research and is open to mid-career researchers worldwide.

Dr Pantazis has been invited to receive the award in person at the Royal Microscopical Society’s Annual General Meeting, which will take place on Wednesday, 30 September 2026, at the Royal Society of Chemistry in London.

Bioengineering input supports Focused Ultrasound Centre of Excellence

Dr James Choi has contributed Bioengineering expertise to Imperial’s designation as a Focused Ultrasound Centre of Excellence. His work supports the development of focused ultrasound technologies that use targeted sound waves for non-invasive treatment across a range of clinical applications.

Dr Choi’s involvement forms part of a wider interdisciplinary effort linking engineering, imaging, and clinical research to advance focused ultrasound approaches in healthcare.

Bioengineering contribution to dragonfly wing research

Bioengineering researchers at Imperial College London contributed to a collaborative study with the Royal Veterinary College that sheds light on how dragonflies use wing sensors to monitor deformation during flight.

The work, led by Dr Alexandra Yarger in the lab of Dr Huai-Ti Lin, used neural recordings and detailed mechanical simulations to show how a small number of strategically placed sensors can effectively encode wing state, despite complex bending and twisting patterns.

The study provides insights into how biological sensor systems could inform future engineering and robotics designs by simplifying sensing and control requirements in flexible structures.

Read Staff and Student Successes: Spring 2026 in full

This autumn, the Department of Bioengineering is launching the first-ever Caro Alumni Lecture alongside our Bioengineering Industry Showcase.

These two events shine a spotlight on the translational impact of our research and the innovative spin-outs that have grown from our department. The industry showcase is a unique opportunity to connect with industry partners, discover entrepreneurial success stories, and highlight the breadth of collaborations happening within Bioengineering.

To make the most of the showcase event, we need your help. If you have industry contacts who should be part of the showcase, or if you yourself have a spin-out company that you would like to celebrate and exhibit, please complete our Industry Connections & Showcase Interest Form for academic staff or the form for PhD students, postdoctoral researchers and alumni so we can extend invitations to them.

Whether you’re interested in showcasing your own work, connecting with potential collaborators, or simply being inspired by the journey of our alumni and industry experts, don’t miss out!

👉🏾Register now to attend the Caro Alumni Lecture

👉🏾Register now to attend the Bioengineering Industry Showcase

If you have any questions about these events, please contact Kemi Aofolaju at a.aofolaju@imperial.ac.uk.

Read The Caro Alumni Lecture & Bioengineering Industry Showcase in full

Imperial is bustling with activity this Autumn Term, and there are lots of events across campus to get involved in.

This Events news section brings together opportunities you might enjoy, whether for learning, networking, or just trying something new.

If you’re looking for what’s happening closer to home, check out our Bioengineering Events listings page.

Black History Month: Fireside Chat with Baroness Amos

Date: Monday 13th October 2025 | 13:00–14:00

Join the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering for a special online Fireside Chat with Baroness Valerie Amos, a distinguished public servant, diplomat, and academic leader whose career has spanned British public life, global diplomacy, and higher education.

From her early days in Guyana to leadership roles in the UK Government, the United Nations, and Oxford University, Baroness Amos has lived a life of historic firsts.

This conversation will explore leadership, identity, and the importance of representation, with reflections on her career and insights into how we can all contribute to a more inclusive and equitable society.

🔗Click here to register to attend

Perspectives in Education – Book Launch: Productive Failure – Unlocking Deeper Learning Through the Science of Failing

Date: Monday 13th October 2025 | 17:00-18:30
Location: LT G34, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, South Kensington Campus

If learning from failure is intuitively compelling, why do we wait for it to happen? Why don’t we intentionally design for it and harness it for deep learning? In his latest book, Manu Kapur describes his research program on Productive Failure, explaining how, when, and why intentionally designing for failure in a safe manner can lead to deep learning. A must-read for every educator, parent, manager, leader, athlete, entrepreneur, or someone simply passionate about learning and growth.

Join us for the launch of this thought-provoking book as part of the Perspectives in Education event series. The event will feature a short presentation by Professor Manu Kapur, Director of the Singapore-ETH Center, and Professor for Learning Sciences and Higher Education at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, where he also directs The Future Learning Initiative (FLI). The presentation will be followed by a panel discussion from Imperial voices, along with a raffle where three attendees will win a signed copy of the book. This is a unique opportunity to engage with the ideas that are reshaping our understanding of learning and performance.

Suggested reading: Kapur, M. (2025). Productive failure: Unlocking deeper learning through the science of failing. San Francisco: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

🔗Click here to register to attend

Fungal Science Network Seminar Series

Date: Thursday 16th October | 12:00-13:00
Location: G47, Flowers Building, South Kensington Campus

Speaker: Dr Venizelos Papayannopoulos, Principal Group Leader of the Antimicrobial Defence Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute
Host: Prof. Darius Armstrong-James

🔗Click here for talk details and to register to attend

Black @ Imperial Board Games Social

Date: Thursday 16th October | 17:00 – 19:00
Location: The Union Bar

Join Black @ Imperial for a Board Games Social in partnership with ICU on Thursday 16 October, 5pm – 7pm in the Union Bar for a chance to connect with other Black students at Imperial.

There’ll be free Afro-Caribbean snacks, vouchers for non-alcoholic drinks from the bar and a huge selection of games to choose from.

Can’t make it? Join the Black @ Imperial mailing list to be the first to hear of upcoming events.

🔗Click here to register to attend

Entrepreneurship Café Event at the Enterprise Lab

Date: Monday 20 October | 12:00-14:00
Location: Enterprise Lab, South Kensington

The Enterprise Lab is launching the Entrepreneurship Café – a new networking series to help students, staff, alumni and founders spark collaboration and connect.

At the Café you can:

• Meet potential co-founders or collaborators

• Share your skills and discover what others can offer

• Connect through a colour-coded name tag system

• Enjoy coffee and croissants in a relaxed setting

👉 Sign up by 13 October 2025 | 🔗 https://forms.office.com/e/EvE3RDpbeU

Copyright for Text and Data Mining (TDM) for Research

Date: Wednesday 12th November | 14:00
Location: SALC 7 (Access through SHERFIELD BUILDING)

Following an introduction by a copyright and licensing expert, you will have the chance to discuss common TDM scenarios with colleagues, share current practice and evaluate different options. 

This workshop will cover:

• Setting the scene: overview of copyright issues arising in TDM contexts, Alex Fenlon, Head of Copyright and Licensing, University of Birmingham.
• Copyright challenges, options and tips. Small group discussions of common scenarios. What do publisher licences permit, and what barriers are you encountering when using subscription materials? When can you rely on a copyright exception for TD,M and what do you need to consider? What challenges arise in collaborative projects, and how can you address them?
• Further support: how can the library help you navigate copyright and TDM? Find out about resources and networks that can support your TDM practice.

By the end of the session, you will be able to:

• Understand how licences and exceptions support (or hinder) the use of TDM in research projects.
• Evaluate options to make informed decisions.
• Connect with other TDM practitioners to share current practice.

If you have questions about the event, please email our copyright expert and organiser, Irene Barranco Garcia, at i.barranco-garcia@imperial.ac.uk. 

Please note, this is a face-to-face session.

Click here to register to attend

Read Events: Autumn 2025 in full

Imperial after:hours – adult education classes open to all!

Don’t miss out! 🌟 Early Bird Discounts on Imperial evening classes end this week.

Join us for inspiring courses in art, languages, humanities, and more — no previous experience needed.

Book now to secure your place at a reduced rate.

Classes are also open to friends and family at the reduced rate, and we have in-person and online courses available

www.imperial.ac.uk/afterhours

Imperial for Academic English: Academic Communication Primer Sessions

New to Imperial? Start strong with our primer sessions

• Demonstrating criticality in your writing
• Writing with coherence and cohesion
• Using GenAI to evaluate your writing
• Delivering effective presentations
• Managing academic interactions
• Listening actively and engaging thoughtfully

Nucleate Activator: For PhDs and Postdocs

Read News You Can Use: Autumn 2025 in full

Our Bioengineering community has had plenty of reasons to celebrate this season.

Feel Good News is all about the moments that make our Bioengineering community special. Unlike Staff and Student Successes, here we celebrate personal wins, fun achievements, and the everyday highlights that bring us together.

Take a moment to congratulate your colleagues and peers, and if you have good news to share, make sure to send it in for the next newsletter.

Celebrating Recovery and Supporting Cancer Research

by Dr Laki Pantazis

My wife Nadine was diagnosed with breast cancer last September. Since then, she has bravely undergone chemotherapy, immunotherapy and surgery – and we are deeply grateful to share that she is now cancer-free.

Throughout this journey, Nadine received exceptional care at The Royal Marden Hospital. To show our gratitude and support the hospital’s incredible work in cancer treatment and research, we took part in the 15-mile Marden March on Sunday, 11 May, just a month after her surgery.

Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of friends, family and supporters, we raised £4,895. We are truly grateful to everyone who donated and stood with us.

Imperial Global Singapore celebrates a year of impact

by Professor Anil Bharath

The Imperial Global Singapore team celebrated a year of impact by hosting two events on April 8^th to showcase Imperial Global Singapore’s impact in areas such as health, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and technologies for clean fuel. The events took place at the Hub’s home at the CREATE Campus, an international research campus and innovation hub operated by the National Research Foundation Singapore (NRF).

Imperial Global Singapore is supported by the NRF, and its major research programmes are run with strategic partners, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

(NTU Singapore) and the National University of Singapore (NUS). The Hub has hired around 20 members of staff since its launch last year.

The establishment of IGS was spearheaded by academics from Bioengineering, Professors Manos Drakakis, James Moore Jr and Anil A Bharath, together with colleagues from Computing, Faculty of Medicine and other Engineering Departments, including the former ISST.

During the afternoon of the anniversary, collaborators and fellow entities from the CREATE ecosystem joined Imperial Global Singapore for focused research updates, aimed at sparking new ideas and strengthening collaboration across the Hub. In the evening, the Hub welcomed members of Imperial’s alumni community in Singapore, engaging with the wider ecosystem to celebrate the anniversary and explore opportunities for future expansion and scientific impact

Celebrating  Outreach Success

by Flo Reeve

The Admissions and Outreach Team recently hosted a celebration lunch to thank the ambassadors and staff who make our outreach possible.

Thanks to their energy and commitment, the team has connected with around 2,750 young people this year, inspiring future engineers and scientists along the way.

At the lunch, Professor Rylie Green presented the Ambassador and GTA of the Year awards to Ella Silvester (Undergraduate Ambassador) and Maria Portela (Graduate Ambassador), recognising their outstanding and sustained contributions. A big congratulations to Ella and Maria, and thank you to everyone who supported outreach this year!

Professor Moore Shares His Research in the US

by Professor James Moore Jr

September was a busy month for Professor James Moore Jr, who was invited to share his expertise on two different stages in the United States. He gave a keynote talk at the 10th International Biofluid Mechanics and Mechanobiology Symposium in California, where he presented his work on lymphatic system flows and their role in immunology.

He then travelled to Minnesota to deliver a seminar at the Earl Bakken Medical Devices Centre at the University of Minnesota, sparking lively discussion on medical device innovation.

Sharing Our Expertise Beyond the Lab

by Nana Asante Asamoah-Danso

This autumn, Nana Asante Asamoah-Danso, Bioengineering Laboratory Support Technician, has been recognised in The Biologist magazine’s “A Day in the Life” series. The feature shines a spotlight on Nana’s varied role supporting our researchers and his ongoing work with the London Science Museum’s careers initiative.

On top of this, Nana Asante was also invited to deliver a glimpse of his live workshop session and represent Imperial College London at this year’s Great Exhibition Road Festival at the London Science Museum’s Smith Centre, for the NextGen Zone. Using food colouring gels, he gave visitors a hands-on look at the lab technique of streaking yeast agar plates.

VE80 Special: Matthew Kibble on the French Horn

by Matthew Kibble

On Monday, 5th May 2025, Dr Matthew Kibble, Research Associate, participated in a live performance on the BBC One Show as part of their VE80 special programme, alongside the Central Band of the Royal British Legion playing the French Horn. The programme can be rewatched on BBC iPlayer.

Matthew is a 2013 graduate of Imperial and the Royal College of Music’s BSc Physics and Music.

HybridNeuro Summer School at White City

by Ciaran McGeady

In July, Professor Dario Farina’s group, along with partners from Spain, Slovenia, and Sweden, hosted the HybridNeuro Summer School on Human Interfacing and Augmentation at White City.

Over five days, more than 60 participants from 15 countries joined in person, with others tuning in online, to take part in talks, hands-on training, and an industry panel. The event was a great success and received excellent feedback.

You can read the full recap on the HybridNeuro blog.

Read Feel Good News: Autumn 2025 in full

The Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein and Imperial’s Microbial Food Hub have recently welcomed a wave of international visitors, reflecting growing worldwide interest in sustainable food research.

Ministers from the UK, Sweden and Denmark, as well as delegations from Finland, Canada, Korea and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, toured the facilities to learn more about the cutting-edge work taking place.

Their visits underline the global significance of Imperial’s research in shaping the future of food systems.

🗞️Read more about these visits:

Read Spotlight on Global Engagement: High-Profile Visits to the Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein and Microbial Food Hub in full