Researcher to present healthcare carbon reduction plans to MPs and policymakers

University of Brighton researcher Julia Meister will showcase her ground-breaking work to MPs and Peers as a finalist in this year’s STEM For BRITAIN competition.

Julia is studying for a PhD in Computing in the University’s School of Architecture, Technology and Engineering, and is among a group of rising young scientists, engineers and mathematicians chosen as finalists in this year’s STEM For BRITAIN competition, which will take place at Westminster on 6 March.

STEM for BRITAIN is a major scientific poster competition and exhibition which has been held in Parliament since 1997, and is organised by the Parliamentary & Scientific Committee as part of British Science Week. It aims to give members of both Houses of Parliament an insight into the outstanding research work being undertaken in UK universities by early-career researchers across the UK. Prizes are awarded for the posters presented in each discipline which best communicate high level science, engineering or mathematics to a non-expert audience.

Julia’s submission was a poster setting out her ground-breaking research to drive down healthcare waste and help the healthcare sector reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. 

She said: “Two years ago, my grandad passed away without access to the medical care he urgently needed because our hospitals were overwhelmed by COVID-19. Ever since, I have aspired to develop digital health solutions during my PhD, combining robust mathematical models with data-driven systems.

“Since last year, I have worked closely with the NHS and international healthcare providers to develop a new carbon emissions framework for hospital equipment. This impactful research has helped the NHS reduce the number of single-use devices and inspired me to share our results at the STEM for BRITAIN exhibition. The event is a unique platform for me to connect to government policymakers directly, enabling my research to address the pressing Net Zero challenge facing us all.

“I’m very grateful to my supervisor, Dr Khuong An Nguyen, for encouraging and supporting me to share my research at STEM for BRITAIN. Ultimately, I wish to contribute to a more sustainable, unburdened, and accessible healthcare infrastructure so that patients like my grandad can receive the care they deserve.” 

Julia’s PhD supervisor, Dr Khuong An Nguyen, said: “STEM for Britain is a fantastic opportunity for rising research stars to showcase their work to politicians on a national stage. I’m incredibly proud of Julia for making it through to the final and I know she’ll do a great job of showcasing her ground breaking research.”

Stephen Metcalfe MP, Chair of the Parliamentary & Scientific Committee, said: “This annual competition is an important date in the parliamentary calendar because it gives MPs an opportunity to speak to a wide range of the country’s best young researchers.

“These early career engineers, mathematicians and scientists are the architects of our future, and STEM for BRITAIN is politicians’ best opportunity to meet them and understand their work.”

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