I chose Biomedical Engineering because it is a programme that combines biomedical and biotechnological aspects with engineering – a combination with a lot of future potential.
Teach is delivered through a range of theoretical lectures, practical sessions, self-guided study and opportunities for applied research. This enabled me to learn how to acquire relevant knowledge myself, apply it and develop ideas for future projects.
The final project was particularly valuable in preparing me for a future research role: It gave me responsibility for managing my work, tracking its progress and making important decisions along the way.
For my Master's thesis, I worked with my supervisor Prof Danish Malik on the upstream production process of bacteriophages. Bacteriophages are bacteria-killing viruses which could help in battling antibiotic-resistant pathogens, a highly relevant issue in modern medicine and health care. We combined aspects from chemical engineering, biotechnology and biology to increase the bacteriophage concentration and monitor the production process.
I was honestly surprised by the level of support offered by the university – it was a lot more than I would have expected. It was very reassuring to know that there is always someone ready to listen and help if necessary. Just that alone allowed me to focus more on my university work already.
All my lecturers and supervisors were very dedicated and knowledgeable in their respective fields. They always felt approachable and encouraged us to question and discuss current topics.
Having practical courses in fully equipped state-of-the-art laboratories in the STEM lab facility allowed us to improve our practical skills. The department and the library also had enough study space and computers to get any work done on campus which I found very helpful.
I am planning to complete a PhD next and feel well prepared to do so due to the broad skillset I have gained – including soft skills and better English proficiency. My time at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ also enabled me to make many new friends and broadened my professional network.
Looking back, completing a postgraduate programme abroad at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ has given me more confidence to take the next step in my career.
The highlights of my time at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ include participating in sports, as well as weekend hiking trips around the UK with the LSU Hiking Society. They were always fantastic and brought me closer to the country and its people. Feeling this welcomed and integrated made the year go by in a flash.