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We're being joined by researchers from across UCL and beyond – learn more
Dr Oz Ismail - presenter
Oz is a science communicator, comedian and podcaster. He regularly performs at various festivals, events and comedy shows.
He also co-hosts a podcast called "Why Aren't You A Doctor Yet?" which tells compelling and diverse stories, combining science and tech with popular culture and comedy.
Oz is an advocate for diversity, and co-founded the Minorities in STEM network to help support and showcase ethnic minorities in science. He is also passionate about raising LGBTQ+ voices both within science and within ethnic minority groups.
Oz recently completed his PhD in dementia research. He studied how the brain cleans itself, and spent most of his time imaging and colouring in brains.
Prof Martina Micheletti - 'Affordable healthcare technology', 10:40 am
Professor in Bioprocess Fluid Dynamics, UCL Biochemical Engineering, and VaxHub
Martina's research focuses on the fundamental engineering underpinning the manufacturing of different therapeutics and, in particular, investigate the impact of the hydrodynamic environment on biological products. Martina graduated in 2000 with a Chemical Engineering degree from the University of Pisa and holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from King’s College London.
She is currently co-Director of the EPSRC Future Vaccine Manufacturing Hub (Vax-Hub) focusing on ensuring adequate vaccine supply at reduced costs for low and middle-income countries.
Dr Joseph Jacob - 'Diagnostics and timely interventions', 10:50 am
Consultant Radiologist at UCLH, Principal Research Fellow at UCL Centre for Medical Image Computing
Joseph qualified in medicine from Imperial College London. He then worked for Médecins Sans Frontières for 2 years in Sudan and India, before undertaking radiology training at Kings College Hospital, London and Auckland City Hospital, New Zealand.
In 2016, Dr Jacob completed a MD(Res) at Imperial College London under Professor David Hansell at the Royal Brompton Hospital, and in 2018, was awarded a 5-year Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Career Development Fellowship. His current research, based at the Centre for Medical Image Computing at University College London and the UCL Respiratory department relates to the use of computer-analysis of CT imaging in various lung diseases, with a primary focus on fibrosing lung diseases
Dr Giulia Barbareschi, panellist - 'What's it like when the world isn't designed for you?' 11 am
Giulia is a Research Fellow in Disability and Assistive Technology at the UCL Interaction Centre and the Global Disability Innovation Hub. Giulia brings with her a unique mix of clinical, technical and research experience having worked in hospitals, universities and UN agencies in several countries around the world. Giulia is based in London at the UCL Interaction Centre, but can often be found in Kenya where she leads the research component of several AT2030 projects on assistive technologies in collaboration with local and international NGOs and start-ups. Her research focuses on understating how current and novel technologies are used to improve the lives of people with disabilities who live in different parts of the world. Giulia's work lies at the intersection of technology, disability and design with strong influences from disability studies and international development. Giulia is also a British Science Association Media Fellow and a STEM ambassador and generally has too many hobbies and interests for the time she has available.
Dr Dafne Zuleima Morgado Ramirez, panellist - 'What's it like when the world isn't designed for you?' 11 am
Dr Dafne Zuleima Morgado Ramirez is Research Associate at the Interaction Centre (UCLIC) of University College London since 2014.
She is a Researcher in Assistive Technology at the Global Disability Innovation Hub and also a member of the Global Cooperation on Assistive Technology, founder of the Neurodivergent Staff Network at UCL, Fair Recruitment Specialist at UCL and member of the UCL Disability Equality Steering Group.
Zuleima is passionate about multidisciplinary research that aims to achieve technology that is affordable, appropriate, accessible and inclusive. Her research interests are human-computer interaction, assistive and wearable technology, participatory research, social media, social model of disability, adult autism, low resource settings and biomedical engineering (medical devices, biomechanics, biomedical instrumentation, signal processing).
She has worked at the Institute of Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Science located at the Royal National Orthopaedics Hospital at Stanmore researching assistive robotic exoskeleton technology. She has also worked in industry as a Clinical Engineer. Before joining UCL she obtained a PhD in Biomechanics and Sports Science, an MSc in Biomedical Engineering, a Postgraduate Diploma in Rehabilitation Engineering and an undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering.
Lynda Keane – chair-based yoga, 11:45 am to 12:00 pm
MSc Rehabilitation & Aquatic Specialist, Aspire Leisure Centre
Lynda started her fitness career in 1994 as a swimming teacher and swimming coach and rapidly added rehabilitation to her growing knowledge, she now has over 44 qualifications in both fitness and rehabilitation and has specialised in all forms of rehabilitation since 2000. Lynda continues with her education by undertaking a PhD in aquatic rehabilitation and attends regular CPDs in all of her areas of interest.
She has been teaching at Aspire leisure centre for over 20 years and has taught seated exercise for disabled and non-disabled members there for over 10 years (though she is now teaching on Zoom).
Aspire is a national charity that provides practical help to people who have been paralysed by spinal cord injury. It is based in the grounds of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore. The centre was the first fully accessible leisure centre in Europe for both disabled and non-disabled people.
Aspire offers a wide range of classes to cater for every level of fitness and ability and proactively encourages disabled people to join in and take part in all activities at the centre. Aspire is proud to say that over 32% of their leisure centre members are disabled, compared to an average of 2-3% at other sport centres nationally. Aspire is passionate about inclusive fitness.