Becky
Organisation: Loughborough University
Role: Lecturer in Biometrology
This means I am interested in measurement of biologics which spans from counting cells to measuring people. My role includes conducting research and teaching within Higher Education. My research includes breast measurement to improve women's accessibility to sport. I am also interested in better measurement of cells to improve confidence when creating cell and gene therapies for those in need. My teaching focuses on design and human factors, considering how products can be designed most effectively for people to use them, through better measurement.
Qualifications
A-Levels: Maths, Art, Design & Technology, Economics AS Level.
Product Design Engineering MEng Hons DIS 2015, Loughborough University and PhD, 2019, Loughborough University
Professional Memberships: Associate Member, IMechE Associate Member, CIEHF
Length of time in engineering
My career journey started approximately 7 years ago. In 2012 I completed a placement year during my Undergraduate degree at Bentley Motors Ltd, as a Manufacturing Engineer working in the Woodshop facility reducing variability when creating inlays for the custom cars.
My PhD (from 2015-2019) was within the cell therapy manufacturing industry which I completed at Loughborough University and was sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline and LGC. This research involved developing methods to measure the variation of manufacturing operators when they analyse cell therapy data, to improve measurement confidence when creating therapies for patients. This was a fusion of measurement and human factors, paving the way for biometrology.
Between 2019-2020, I completed a short research contract within the SMART manufacturing research group at Loughborough University, creating methods to better measure different types of waste from food manufacturing processes.
From 2020 I have been working as a Lecturer in Biometrology.
What is your favourite part of working in engineering
Working as a team! Community makes everything work better and working with complementary strengths is the best way to conduct research. I am inspired by being able to apply all of my A-levels into something that impacts how things we use are designed and made every day!
Project examples
An extra-curricular project that I founded and ran was the 'Dismantle and Discover' STEM project that allowed 12-14 year old students to work in teams to dismantle a standard lamp and repurpose the parts to create a catapult to compete with. I was proud to see this inspire younger minds and show them that engineering can be fun and inquisitive rather than having to learn from a textbook!
Biggest challenges in the sector
Definitely diversity and inclusion - we cannot use engineering to solve the world's biggest problems without considering the issues from different perspectives. Engaging and inspiring a diverse workforce is the best way to tackle this!
Where do you see yourself in 50 years
In 50 years - a retired academic, but still keeping up to speed with the latest innovations and developments for humankind!
I hope to have inspired more women to get into engineering, by showing them that a unique perspective and blend of skills can be a fantastic way of tackling a problem and creating innovative solutions. I hope to increase access to engineering through changing perceptions of its application.
Engineering is not just cars planes and moving metal, it is interaction, perception and confidence in what we design.
Predictions for 50 years’ time
I believe the engineering industry will have played a key contributor in making the world more sustainable for all. We will run using all renewable energy and approach life in a more economical way to support the planet and all life it supports.
Engineering will also be much more diverse, bringing together inspiring minds to tackle problems of the future.