We celebrate Indrani Pillai, a first-year Biomedical and Healthcare Engineering student at City. Indrani shares her proudest wins of the year, and advice for women interested in STEM.
By City St George's Press Office (City St George's Press Office), Published (Updated )
Indrani's engineering journey began with a curiosity for design and a passion for the medical field. Her goal is to be at the forefront of medical innovation and make a meaningful difference in healthcare.
Indrani's proudest achievements include winning first place in the 'City Engineering Hackathon 2023' and being part of a team that developed the best sleep apnea device in a design module.
In her own words, Indrani shares her journey so far, what motivates her and the importance of engineering and inclusivity for the future.
What inspired you to study Biomedical Engineering?
"From a young age, I enjoyed discovering and learning about the inner workings and mechanisms of objects around me. This curiosity for design and construction, coupled with my technical aptitude in math-based subjects, quickly revealed engineering as a career that would fulfill my interests.
"I have also always been keenly interested in the medical domain, and upon further research, I discovered biomedical engineering and its profound impact on healthcare advancements.
"I cannot wait to be at the forefront of innovation within the medical sector, hopefully making a meaningful difference in the lives of countless individuals."
What are your proudest achievements at City?
"I have been incredibly fortunate to have had many opportunities to excel at City, and when reflecting on my first year, I am incredibly proud of all that I have achieved.
"It began with the Hackathon during the first term of our degree, where we were given the task. ‘Wearables 2050’.
"Our final design was the ‘Neuropathic Enhancer Wearable Band’, also known as the ‘N.E.W Band’, an innovative band offering a non-invasive solution for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and age-related cognitive decline.
"The band employed transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to stimulate the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which alleviates the symptoms of mental health disorders, and was powered by bioelectricity from converted body heat.
"To conclude the year, we completed a design project where we had to design, build, and test a wearable device that could monitor sleep apnea. Our design was a band worn around the chest that integrated a respiratory sensor to track sleep apnea.
"This sensor measured diaphragm expansion during breathing, allowing us to monitor if the patient had any sleep apnea episodes during the night.
"It was extremely rewarding to utilise the skills we had developed throughout the year to build a fully functional product, which won us the competition for best wearable device.
"Winning both the Hackathon competition and our final project has been the highlight of my first year at university, and I cannot wait for the future successes that await."
Why are engineering and inclusivity important in the long term?
"I believe that engineering is key in shaping the future, by driving the innovation and development of the world as we know it.
"I think especially in the coming years, engineering will play a pivotal role in advancement of many fields with a key emphasis on providing sustainable solutions.
"Although some progress has been made in bridging the gender gap within engineering, I believe there is still more work to be done in creating a more inclusive field.
"It is incredibly important for more women to pursue careers in STEM, diversifying the field to drive progress by offering a fresh perspective to problem-solving. As more women enter STEM and engineering fields, they can inspire the next generation of female engineers.
"Serving as role models for young girls is crucial in fostering a supportive environment where girls are encouraged and feel empowered to pursue careers in STEM."
What advice would you give to a young woman interested in STEM?
"I highly recommend getting involved and gaining more exposure to STEM.
"Whether it is attending an extracurricular club or going to a workshop on a topic that interests you, STEM covers a wide range of areas, so take the time to explore and find what truly excites you.
"I was very fortunate to be awarded an Arkwright Engineering Scholarship, which helped me gain a deeper understanding of different engineering specialisms and discover what I wanted to pursue.
"Put yourself out there and be confident in your interests, regardless of your gender or background."
Have you got a success story that you're proud of? We would love to hear.
Share it with us so it can get the recognition it deserves. You can also use the #MyCityUni hashtag when posting your City journey on social media.
