Luke
Siena

Tell us about your background before you started your research?

Prior to starting my PhD at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) I studied BSc (Hons) Computer Aided Product Design and MSc Smart Design both at NTU. During my studies I also worked in a number of different industries ranging from the Precast sector (concrete pipes, manholes, culverts, and linear drainage) through to marketing and customer service in the betting and gaming industry.

In 2013 I was awarded the School Prize for Best Student; MSc in Smart Design and also a PepsiCo Design Competition Winner in (Crisp Packet Leak Detection System).

What inspired you to research this area at NTU?

During my masters studies, I was challenged to undertake a number of medical device design projects provided by Prof Philip Breedon and Prof Amin Al-Habaibeh. These projects captured my interest and passion for this area of research. The areas of medical device design and design for health and wellbeing highlighted to me that these sectors provided great opportunities to make a significant contribution to society. Furthermore the design of devices and systems in the MedTech sector can have a real impact and I was passionate about contributing to this sector to help provide meaningful change. Subsequently Prof Philip Breedon helped me acquire funding to continue my studies in this area.

What support have you received from NTU?

Throughout my time at NTU studying at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, I have received an array of support from both staff in the Product Design and Engineering departments as well as support from the technicians and technical specialists within the School of Architecture, Design & The Built Environment. Furthermore, I was fortunate to also complete a Post Graduate Diploma in Professional Research Practice during my PhD studies which was also funded by NTU, this helped further elevate my academic qualifications and credentials.

Financially I was also very lucky to be awarded a Vice Chancellors bursary for my PhD studies for a period of 3 years whilst also receiving a number of small grants/bursaries throughout my PhD to attend conferences and publish journal papers. NTU also supported the grant capture of further funds alongside Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) to support my PhD studies and post-doctoral research.

What impact has research had since you completed your PhD?

Throughout my PhD and post my PhD, I was fortunate to be able to publish and present my research in a variety of forums ranging from journals, conferences, special interest groups etc. The research produced during my PhD was rated 4* (world-leading in terms of originality, significance, and rigour) under the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) and is now undergoing external peer review in the hope of acquiring funding to further develop and commercialise the designed medical device.

Since completing my PhD, NTU employed me as a Research Fellow in Medical Device Design within the Medical Engineering Design Research Group (MEDRG) for 12 months. Subsequently I was then employed as a Lecturer In Product Design at NTU in November 2019. Since 2019 I have continued to collaborate with MEDRG with research focussed on a number of areas within the medical device design sector. Alongside colleagues at NTU, NUH and our commercial partners, our research has resulted in the acquisition of funding related to a variety of different projects ranging from emergency airway devices, surgical monitoring systems, breakaway chest drains, amongst others.

What were your highlights of studying at NTU?

Having studied at NTU since 2008 and having been employed at NTU in various roles since 2013, there have been many highlights ranging from attending numerous graduations, making lifelong friends and colleagues, amongst others. However, one of the key highlights personally would be to be able repay the faith and support provided to me by NTU by securing funding for research projects for NTU alongside academic colleagues to help add to NTU’s growing reputation within academic research. Finally, as I am now able to reflect on my journey and experiences at NTU over the past decade as such I am able to support, mentor and teach a wide range of UG, PG and PhD students to help them navigate their own journey at NTU.

Director of Studies: Professor Philip Breedon