Grace Tan and Junjian Chi both completed Qualcomm-funded internships based within research groups of UCL Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the UCL, under the supervision of Dr Thomas Gilbert and Dr Wu Yu respectively.
Qualcomm, funded the internships, allowing students to gain an insight into the world of research. The company is a leading American technology company that specialises in designing and manufacturing semiconductor solutions.
Throughout their internships, they worked on projects that allowed them to apply their Electronic and Electrical Engineering knowledge to real-world challenges. With a focus on research and innovation, they gained invaluable experience that has will help shape their academic and career trajectories.
Leveraging EEE knowledge to complex research problems derived from in the real world
During their internships, both Grace and Junjian applied the skills they had developed in their Electronic and Electrical Engineering studies to address complex research problems that could have an impact on real world problems. Grace focused on technology that could enhance the accuracy of refereeing in sabre fencing, drawing on her passion for sports technology and engineering.
As a fencing athlete, I’ve always been passionate about addressing issues like inconsistent refereeing. Being able to combine my love for the sport with the engineering skills I’ve developed was an incredible experience. I was able to integrate my love for fencing with my technical skills, particularly through the use of sensors to improve AI-assisted refereeing systems. It was an exciting opportunity to work on something that could make competitions fairer.
Junjian, meanwhile, worked on developing a real-time biomechanical measurement system for gait and body analysis. His project involved designing a flexible insole-shaped PCB to collect pressure data, applying the PCB layout and embedded system programming knowledge he had gained in his studies.
The internship gave me the opportunity to build on my previous work and really see how the theoretical concepts I learned in my second-year studies translate into practical solutions. It was challenging yet rewarding to see how my academic background translated into designing and building a functional system that can potentially contribute to health monitoring solutions.
What the Qualcomm opportunity taught them
Both students emphasised the importance of research and problem-solving during their internships. Grace delved into the research process, gaining proficiency in tools like MATLAB and Processing.
The internship pushed me out of my comfort zone, and I learned how to conduct thorough research, from collecting and labelling data to building neural networks. While the technical skills were important, the most valuable lesson was how to approach research with patience and persistence. Every challenge was an opportunity to learn and refine my work.
Junjian highlighted how his internship helped him sharpen his programming and project management skills.
From a technical perspective, I got the chance to improve my C programming and learn how to use FreeRTOS for efficient task management, which was incredibly valuable. But beyond that, I learned how to effectively organise a project workflow and communicate within a team. Those skills will be crucial as I take on more complex projects in the future.
Challenges overcome and lessons learned
For Grace, a pivotal moment arose when she successfully implemented motion sensors on her fencing blade, producing valid data that advanced her project.
One of the biggest milestones was when I could see clear patterns in the data after swinging the blade. It confirmed that our approach was working and that we were on the right track. It was a moment of real validation after weeks of trial and error.
This breakthrough gave her the confidence to continue refining the project.
Junjian faced the challenge of labelling and preprocessing the collected data for machine learning applications, which was new territory for him.
Initially, it was daunting because I’d never worked with data labelling or preparation before. I spent a lot of time researching and reaching out to PhD students for guidance. It took a lot of effort, but once I understood the process, I was able to successfully prepare the data for further analysis. That felt like a big achievement for me.
The experience and future impact
Both students expressed gratitude for the opportunities provided by Qualcomm. In particular, Grace’s internship experience clarified her career aspirations.
This experience has reinforced my passion for research and innovation - I’m now more committed than ever to completing my fencing project.
Junjian similarly found his passion for real-world applications strengthened, with his internship work expected to contribute to a conference paper.
The Qualcomm experience has motivated me to pursue a career in this industry, where I can continue to work on innovative technologies”.
They both pointed out Qualcomm’s collaborative culture, which allowed them to grow both technically and professionally in a short space of time.
Advice for future Interns
For students interested in internships, Grace and Junjian advise approaching the experience with curiosity and an eagerness to learn. Grace said that using the time to develop your confidence was key.
Don’t be afraid to bring your own ideas to the table and seek guidance from mentors.
Junjian echoed this sentiment, emphasising the practical value of internships in the tech sector.
“Internships like this are invaluable for bridging the gap between classroom knowledge and practical application in the tech industry.
In addition to the Undergraduate Research Internship Qualcomm also supported UCL EEE through a PhD poster prize, and MSc projects prize, and financially supporting activities with UCL Engineering Society.
Links
Qualcomm
Dr Thomas Gilbert’s research profile
Dr Wu Yu’s research profile
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