I have taken a somewhat unconventional pathway into sports medicine engineering, beginning with an undergraduate degree in Psychology followed by three years professional circus training as an aerialist. Whilst working as a circus artist I became increasingly interested in the relationship between movement and the brain. This led me to take the MSc in Clinical and Therapeutic Neuroscience at the University of Oxford. During the course I began researching the potential of eye-tracking technologies for assessment of head injuries which ultimately led to my DPhil proposal.

I have always been interested in the influence of research beyond academia and I am involved in a number of public engagement and policy projects. I run an annual symposium for collaboration between academics and performing artists, have published in Behavioural Public Policy and presented my research in parliament. Outside of academia I am training to join the British Stunt Register as a stuntwoman.

Research Project

Currently, there are no objective tests for sports-related head injuries which can be feasibly completed in the time constrained, uncontrolled conditions of sports sidelines. My project involves researching and trying to develop a device which could rapidly test the eyes across several metrics such as pupillary responses to assess brain function. Ultimately I hope the test can be used to better inform decision making about the next steps for the sportsperson.

Supervisors: Prof. Daniel Bulte and Prof. Constantin Coussios