Physics breakthroughs with the power to save lives
Two undergraduate students in Physics worked alongside Loughborough experts on X-ray and gamma ray research that could literally save your life!
Studying physics can open up a wide range of future careers, but for Loughborough University students like Saoirse Conroy and Harry Allan there is also the opportunity to get involved in exciting research with real-world impact – all while studying for their degree! Harry explains:
Physics and its applications can really take you anywhere, but the tangible benefit of this research is one of the main reasons that I wanted to get involved. The opportunity to get involved in real research was really amazing!
For their undergraduate research projects, Harry and fellow student Saoirse joined Dr Sarah Bugby’s research group developing new ways to image ionising radiation (X-rays and gamma rays) with a particular focus on portable imaging. Her work includes building new devices for nuclear medicine that could help speed up cancer diagnosis and for nuclear decommissioning.
Working with experts
I enjoy working in an area of physics research which contributes to the health of people and the planet. The undergraduate research projects I offer contribute to my broader research activity and might involve extending previously conducted experiments to new materials or applications, creating new instrumentation or computational simulations as part of a larger project, or pilot projects exploring entirely new areas.
MPhys student Saoirse Conroy jumped at the chance to be part of Dr Bugby’s impactful research:
During my placement year I came to the conclusion that I wanted to pursue a medical physics career. When I found out through my university tutor that Dr Bugby was due to join the department I was put in contact to discuss the possibility of doing my MPhys project with her. Now that I am actually conducting my project with Dr Bugby I have worked to create a 3D stage that can be used to remotely conduct experiments on the camera – reducing the exposure to the radioactive sources used.
My reasons behind joining Dr Bugby’s research group were to support my application to the NHS National Scientist Training Program. So being able to conduct research directly involved in the field of medical physics I desire to work in has been so rewarding and validating. Knowing that I may one day see Dr Bugby’s camera in action at a clinic and that this research will lead to further developments in the medical physics field pushes me to throw my all into this project.
Harry shares a similar experience:
Your final year project offers a great opportunity to get involved much more deeply with a topic that you are really interested in. I had an interest in medical physics and was aware of Sarah’s research, so I got in touch with her. We discussed her work and my interests, and agreed on a project that I would enjoy and which would allow me to make contributions to her work.
For Dr Bugby, enabling students to get involved in cutting-edge research is all part of the student journey.
"I have high expectations for my project students. I want my them to show creativity, follow their own research interests, see how their work contributes to the bigger picture and feel part of a larger research group."
Your future starts here
A degree in physics can take you in all sorts of directions and Harry is confident his Loughborough physics degree will support him in achieving his future aspirations. He says:
I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity to tailor my degree throughout my time here. I had lots of flexibility with choosing my own modules, and I had the opportunity to switch between BSc/MPhys and even between Physics and Engineering Physics all the way up until the end of my second year. The opportunity to carry out a placement year has definitely boosted my career prospects and given me an insight into the kind of work I would like to do in the future
