James working in the lab wearing goggles

My research project

Currently, I am working on my MSc Project investigating the use of nanoparticles for improving the transdermal delivery of drugs.

I chose this topic because it was a completely new area which sounded interesting and was also an area of research where there is room for improvement. In addition, the drug delivery module we also studied helped support the project as a lot of knowledge would carry over.

It’s a very refreshing area to research, being quite different in context to my previous undergraduate project, however, I can see how some aspects have overlapped. For example, my previous project was about creating a device to measure the electrical impedance of biological cells, which required research into cell structure and piqued my interest in this area. 

If my research and experiments go to plan, ideally the project would allow the delivery of drugs such as Fluconazole, an antifungal drug to be delivered via the skin. This would have great benefits as currently many drugs produce drastic side effects when ingested orally which transdermal delivery could prevent.

My greatest achievements and future plans

At Loughborough so far, my greatest achievement is being able to be independent and keep a healthy work-life balance. This includes being able to fulfil and enjoy the challenges of my degree but also excelling in my Gymnastics career.

Looking forwards, I would potentially pursue my education further in the form of a PhD, giving me the opportunity to study new areas or research my current projects further. Whether I would consider working in industry first or continue research immediately after my masters, I feel that Loughborough would provide me with a sufficient supportive environment to progress with where I want to go.