PhD student Richard Bartlett wins Deans Research Prize

This unique event provides an opportunity for students from all Divisions and Institutes across the Faculty to present on their research to colleagues.

Richard’s work focuses on spinal cord injury, a devastating clinical condition that can cause paralysis, a loss of sensation and incontinence.

Primary supervisor, Dr James Phillips said: "Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine research aims to improve recovery of function for patients following spinal cord injury.

"In recent years, specialised nerve support cells extracted from the nose – olfactory ensheathing cells – have shown promise as a clinical therapy to repair and regenerate the damaged spinal cord.

"However, the way in which these cells are currently delivered causes many of them to die and many more to drift away from the site of damage.

"Richard’s PhD project has begun to address some of these challenges by developing next-generation tissue-engineered constructs."

Secondary supervisor and consultant neurosurgeon Mr David Choi added: "This is an excellent achievement that has required hard work and commitment.

"Richard is exploring areas in regenerative medicine which are currently undiscovered and which will be fundamental to improving our understanding with a view of future clinical trials.

"The fundamentals of spinal cord repair have often been overlooked in previous clinical trials, but Richards work has built solid foundations from the basic science upwards."

Fellow Eastman PhD students Anna Maeva, Julie Gallagher, Matthew Wilcox and Kununya Pimolbutr also delivered excellent 3MT presentations at the same event.

Many congratulations to Anna who won second prize and will now go forward to represent the Faculty at the UCL-wide final.