STRIDE 2025 Call for Projects

1) Dr Haidar Hassan

Email: h.hassan@qmul.ac.uk

Project Title: Enhancing Pre-clinical Proficiency in Oral Implant Surgery

Project Statement: 

This research project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of haptic simulators in enhancing pre-clinical proficiency, as well as confidence, in oral implant surgery amongst undergraduate students.

Over the course of 8 weeks, we anticipate the completion of the preparatory stages of the research study, such as obtaining ethical approval, followed by a pilot study. After preparation, fifth year dental students and DCT students who choose to participate will undertake various oral surgery and implant procedures. They will be split into two groups: one group will practice these procedures using the haptic simulators, while the other group does this on 3D printed models (that will be prepared during this time frame) – the subsequent findings will be compared. The students will be provided with a questionnaire in order to give feedback after the activity. Also, the students will be asked to rate their confidence in performing such procedures from a scale of 1-10 before and after completing the simulation experience.

Some of the criteria that will be assessed in the questionnaire include:

• Visual accuracy (visualisation of the anatomy and quality of the graphics)
• Procedure simulation (realism of overall procedure)
• Accuracy and precision of measurement (using depth gauge instrument)
• User interface (user-friendly interface)
• Software performance (smoothness, input delay, calibration)
• Ergonomics (comfort, positioning)
• Overall experience (engagement, performance confidence)

The findings will help to determine the effectiveness of using haptic simulators to perform oral surgery and implant procedures, and whether or not this practice should be implemented in undergraduate dental education.

1) Dr Ana Caetano    

Email: a.caetano@qmul.ac.uk  

Project Title: Neuronal mechanisms in oral barrier function

Project Statement:

The peripheral nervous system (PNS) consists of one of the most functionally dynamic cellular systems. Abundant neuronal and non-neuronal populations are present in the oral mucosa from early development, but presently their functional relevance in tissue development and homeostasis is unknown. The oral epithelium is central to life-sustaining functions, including feeding, speech and breathing. Despite constant exposure to mechanical forces, microbes and other allergens, the oral barrier shows minimal scarring potential, which renders the study of this resilient tissue of broad interest. This project will use genetic fate mapping to investigate the temporal dynamics of neural circuit assembly in the oral mucosa across three time points. We will use multiplex immunohistochemistry and computational image analyses to explore changes in the developmental potential of neuronal and non-neuronal progenitors. Defining the mechanisms that regulate oral nervous system development will allow a better understanding of oral mucosa homeostasis and disease processes, such as oral cancer.

                                                  

2) Dr Ali Golkari

Email: a.golkari@qmul.ac.uk 

Project Title: Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) in the Philippines and Vietnam: A Comparative Analysis

Project Statement: 

This project will analyse data from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) conducted in the Philippines and Vietnam to assess tobacco use patterns, cessation behaviours, and policy impacts. GATS provides nationally representative data on tobacco consumption, second hand smoke exposure, and awareness of tobacco-related harms.

Compare prevalence trends of smoking and smokeless tobacco use in both countries.

Evaluate the effectiveness of tobacco control policies, such as taxation, health warnings, and smoking bans.

Identify barriers to cessation and factors influencing quit attempts.

Findings will inform evidence-based strategies for strengthening tobacco control interventions in Southeast Asia, aligning with WHO’s MPOWER framework and FCTC commitments.

3) Nikos Donos        

Email: n.donos@qmul.ac.uk

Project Title: : Influence of timing of implant placement on early healing molecular events

Project Statement:

This study aims to describe and compare the early wound healing patterns of peri-implant tissues following immediate implant placement (IP) versus delayed placement (DP), using advanced imaging methods. We will perform molecular analyses of biological samples, such as saliva and peri-implant crevicular fluid (PICF) and acquire images to assess blood flow in the treated areas.The student will have the opportunity to contribute to this clinical trial by gaining experience through observation and assistance during study visits. This involvement will allow the student to understand the daily operations of a clinical trial and the roles of different team members. The student will gain insights into various aspects of clinical research methodology and patient care. The goal of this research experience is to enhance the student’s understanding of the fundamentals of clinical studies. The student will also be expected to assist in developing a database to facilitate data extraction and collection. As a result, participation in this project will allow the student to develop practical skills in data entry and management, gain exposure to clinical treatment protocols, and build a deeper appreciation for the complexities of conducting research in a clinical setting.

                                       

4) Dr Cecilia Gonzales-Marin

Email: c.gonzalesmarin@qmul.ac.uk           

Project Title: Periodontitis as a risk factor for dementia   

Background: This project investigates Periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory condition of the supporting tissues of teeth, as a potential risk factor for dementia. The aim is to explore the interactions between periodontal pathogens and brain endothelial cells in an in-vitro setting. The student will assist in developing a model where culture brain endothelial cells are exposed to anaerobic bacterial products. The study will evaluate the effects of these products on cell barrier integrity, measured using transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER). This will help identify specific periodontal bacteria capable of compromising the blood-brain barrier, potentially allowing bacterial products to enter the brain, which could contribute to the pathogenesis of dementia.

                        

1) Dr Georgia Black

Email: g.black@qmul.ac.uk 

Project Title: Exploring patient safety in primary care through GP referral behaviours

Project Background: 

This applied health research internship focuses on understanding delays in cancer diagnosis for people with learning disabilities and developing recommendations for improvement. Late diagnoses contribute to worse health outcomes, exacerbating existing health inequalities—an issue central to QMUL’s commitment to tackling inequalities and widening access.

Given QMUL’s diverse student body, many students may already have an awareness of barriers to healthcare access, making this project both relevant and impactful.

Research goals for the student:

• To introduce qualitative research methods in applied health research.
• To demonstrate how research informs policy and practice to reduce healthcare inequalities.
• To provide insight into collaborative, interdisciplinary research involving academic, clinical, and community perspectives.

Skills and experience gained:

• Analysing qualitative health data.
• Communicating research findings to diverse audiences.
• Engaging with collaborative research teams, including experts by experience.
• Developing recommendations for real-world healthcare improvements.

This internship offers an opportunity to contribute to meaningful research with direct implications for improving cancer diagnosis and outcomes for people with learning disabilities.

2) Dr Jamie Ross

Email: Jamie.Ross@qmul.ac.uk 

Project Title: Maximising the Impact of Digital Health Research: Exploring Academic GPs’ Perspectives on Implementing Review Findings

Project Background: 

A recently completed systematic review has identified key barriers and facilitators to the implementation of digital health interventions (DHIs) in primary care. To maximise the impact of these findings, it is important to explore how they can be effectively translated into practice.

This project will engage academic General Practitioners (GPs) to understand their perspectives on the practical application of the review findings, the feasibility of implementing its recommendations, and what additional support might be required to integrate DHIs into routine care.

The student will conduct semi-structured interviews with academic GPs, analyse the data, and synthesise findings to inform strategies for improving the uptake of evidence-based digital health in primary care.

Research Objectives:

• Summarise the key findings of the systematic review into an accessible document for interview participants.
• Develop an interview guide to explore GPs’ views on the practical implementation of the review findings.
• Conduct semi-structured interviews with academic GPs at QMUL.
• Undertake a thematic analysis of the interviews to identify key themes.
• Produce a concise report outlining recommendations for translating research into practice.
• Contribute to an engagement and dissemination plan to increase the accessibility of the review findings for primary care clinicians.

Expected Student Learning Outcomes:

• Develop qualitative research skills
• Gain experience in implementation research.
• Learn how systematic review findings can be applied in clinical practice.

Develop skills in writing research summaries and impact-focused reports.

1) Dr Tessa Wright

Email: t.wright@qmul.ac.uk 

Project Title: Pathways to Success: Enhancing Women’s Postgraduate Completion Rates

Background: This project would support the work of a British Council Gender Equality Partnerships grant awarded to the supervisor and partners at the University of Nairobi (UoN). The aim of the grant is to improve women’s postgraduate completion rates at the UoN, which are below those of male students. The project will collect data on PG student experiences and challenges to completion and explore mentorship initiatives to improve completion rates and increase employability for female students.

As the UK partner, Queen Mary is sharing information and good practice on PGR completion for male and female students, including details of QM’s PGR tracking system for students, mentoring, support and career development schemes.

The project has strong synergies with the STRIDE programme, which is also about addressing underrepresentation in research careers.

The QM student would therefore be joining a live research project that collaborates between QM and the UoN to support women’s research careers. The activities to be undertaken by the student during the 8 weeks would primarily involve data collection on schemes and support structures in place to support PGR completion at QM and other UK universities. It would particularly focus on initiatives to support gender equality and improve completion rates for under-represented groups in UK academia. Also, relevant will be mentoring schemes for women and BME academics. The student will also have the opportunity to participate in online meetings between UoN and the QM supervisor to learn about the management of an international research partnership.

 

1) Dr Devyani Sharma        

Email: d.sharma@qmul.ac.uk  

Project Title: Generations of London English     

Background: 

This project is studying change in demographics, cultures, and language in London over generations. It includes casual speech recordings from young children, adolescents, and adults from different parts of London, covering working-class and middle-class groups, and multiple generations from a range of ethnic minority communities. It is creating the first ever large corpus of London dialects, and one of the largest community language corpora in the UK. The public resource will be housed at the British Library.

The team is currently processing hundreds of interview recordings and questionnaire data with participants of various ages to support analysis of speech production. The data gathered is extensive and requires support. Students will assist the lead investigators and postdoctoral fellows in a range of tasks associated with the larger funded project.

This will include gaining the following key research and career skills:

• Methods for quantitative analysis, including use of Excel, AI tools, and principles for data cleaning and coding for large scale analysis
• Use of advanced audio and acoustic software (Praat acoustic analysis software) for processing recordings and transcripts
• Working with real data from children, teenagers, and/or adults, learning how and why language varies at different life stages
• Data coding, e.g. auditory analysis of phonetic variation, recognising details of accents and dialects of London
• Learning to use and fine-tune AI (WhisperX by OpenAI) to produce transcripts through automatic speech recognition
• Correcting boundaries generated by automatic time alignment (Montreal Forced Aligner) of sound files to transcripts
• File reformatting for use in a public corpus of language data
• Contributing to a national public corpus of London English, to be housed in the British Library
• Mentoring on how to choose and maximise success in academic or industry careers

1) Dr Angela Dunstan

Email: a.dunstan@qmul.ac.uk     

Project Title: Amateur Readers and the Evolution of University English Studies

Project Background: This research project will examine the contribution of amateur literary societies to the birth of the discipline of English studies, tracing a forgotten parallel history of popular reading to that of established university literary studies. This research project will examine the activities of the seven literary societies from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries (including the Jane Austen, Brontë, Arthur Conan Doyle, Charles Dickens, George Eliot, Thomas Hardy and Rudyard Kipling societies) to show how they modelled groundbreaking scholarly approaches to vernacular literature, contributing to the then-new and controversial conception of ‘popular’ English literature as a discipline worthy of university study.

The project will involve the student researcher investigating one society a week to show that amateur literary societies’ approaches were then disseminated via representations of their activities in the periodical press, which revealed the possibility of applying ‘scientific’ approaches to vernacular English. This project will involve the student researcher consulting periodical databases, library sources, and full-text databases to reconstruct the histories of the amateur societies to examine their respective legacies and remember their critical importance to the evolution of English Studies as a discipline. The student researcher will gain key skills in primary research, use of periodical databases, approaches to literary historical research and strategies for assessing and analysing historical data.

 

1) Alastair Owens         

Email: a.j.owens@qmul.ac.uk              

Project Title: Towards a lively high street: assessing the economic, social and environmental sustainability of East Ham town centre

Project Statement: 

This project is in response to a request from Stephen Timms MP (Minister for Social Security and Disability, Labour MP for East Ham) following a recent visit to QM to find out about our civic work in East London. Involving a collaboration with Stephen Timms’ Office, it focuses on East Ham town centre and specifically the question of how the high street been developed as a lively heart of the borough that is socially inclusive, economically vibrant and environmentally sustainable.

Building on a scoping study to be undertaken by a HSS Student Bursary project in April-May 2025, the intern will:

• Analyse archival and other documentary sources and data collected on land and building uses (by the Bursary project) to understand the recent development and current status of East Ham High Street
• Conduct surveys with high street users (n=150) on their views of current high street
• Conduct 6-10 depth-interviews with key stakeholders including representatives from businesses, community and faith groups, residents’ and housing associations, education bodies, the local authority and the GLA on their views about the future of the high street
• Analyse survey and interview data and produce a report for Stephen Timms Office

Outcomes for the student would include: substantive experience of carrying out research in an academic setting for a non-academic user, using and developing skills and techniques learnt as part of their studies (e.g. surveying, interviewing, geospatial analysis, qualitative and quantitative data analysis); opportunity to engage in a project with a wide range of stakeholders, honing communication and project management skills; opportunity to work with a high profile MP and minister on a local matter with wider national policy relevance.

1) Dr Leslie James

Email: leslie.james@qmul.ac.uk 

Project Title: Anti-apartheid and anti-fascism in the postcolonial Caribbean

Project Statement: 

Opposition to South African apartheid became a global movement by the 1960s. For newly independent societies in the Caribbean, where Black-led governments were attempting to forge their own futures, the flagrant white supremacist government in South Africa was abhorrent. How did opposition to apartheid South Africa inform the politics of the postcolonial Caribbean?

This research studentship offers opportunities to research how ideas about authoritarianism and racism drove the politics of postcolonial governance in the British West Indies. The key resource will be the British Library newspaper collection held at Kings Cross. The intern will collect and tabulate letters, editorials, opinion pieces and news items about South Africa from two newspapers held on microfilm: the Barbados Observer and Public Opinion (Jamaica). Collection will pertain to the period 1958-1966, years when anti-apartheid picked up speed. The first six weeks of the internship will involve training from the research mentor, Dr. Leslie James, and data collection. The final two weeks will involve analysing the data to inform a history of political ideas about apartheid.

The research outcome will include a blog and a research presentation. The blog will appear in Afro-Asian Visions a collaborative research team originally funded by the AHRC, which Dr. James has been involved with since 2016. The student will also present their findings with Dr. James at the School of History Research Seminar in Autumn 2025.

1) Dr Javier Sajuria

Email: j.sajuria@qmul.ac.uk                          

Project Title: Voters Vs the elites: analysis of the diversity of social elites and their relationships to voters in Chile

Project Statement: 

This research project focuses on the relationship between elites and democracy, with a focus on Chile. The forthcoming book, under contract with Cambridge University Press, critically explores how the relationship between voters and elites shape democratic institutions, processes, and outcomes, examining both historical and contemporary dimensions. By analysing the behaviour, motivations, and interactions of Chilean elites, the project seeks to contribute to broader theoretical discussions on elite theory, democratic stability, and institutional change.

We are seeking a Research Intern (RI) to support this project, specifically in reviewing the theories related to political elites and democracy. The RI will engage deeply with literature reviews, theoretical synthesis, and critical analysis of existing research, facilitating robust academic debate within the manuscript. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, familiarity with conducting literature searches and reviewing, and the ability to synthesise complex theoretical arguments clearly and concisely.

Responsibilities of the student will include:

• Supporting the construction of a literature review on elites, democracy, and institutional theory.
• Assisting in the synthesis and critique of theoretical frameworks related to elites and democratic governance.
• Supporting manuscript preparation by summarising key findings, and proofreading parts of the theoretical chapter.
• Collaborating closely with the authors to refine theoretical arguments and ensure conceptual clarity.

This role provides an excellent opportunity for academic growth and the efforts will be properly acknowledged in the book.

1) Professor Akram Alomainy          

Email: a.alomainy@qmul.ac.uk

Project Title: Tracking and Localisation of Wireless Endoscopy in Healthcare Solutions

Project Statement: 

The focus will be on simulating and theoretically analysing how wireless endoscope can be tracked inside the human digestive systems allowing for higher accuracy or diagnosis and preventive medical solutions. The main focus will be on designing antenna frontends and algorithm enhancement to be able to track the capsule and providing 3D localisation with sub-centimetre accuracy.

The student will be based in the Antennas and Electromagnetics Research Group embedded within the Centre for Electronics where we have over 55 researchers working on a variety of topics and themes from fundamental science to translation activities in Wireless Networks, Mobile Communication through Biomedical applications to solar energy harvesting. The group has access to training of specific lab equipment and generic online training for interns to be able to access. They will get direct mentorship by PhD students and pdras and potentially participate in a summer school organised as part of the EME Hub.

2) Dr Raymond Hu

Email: r.hu@qmul.ac.uk

Project Title: Web-based tools for safe distributed software using Multiparty Session Types

Project background: Develop a publicly accessible Web interface for learning and using practical software engineering tools based on the supervisor's work in the research area of MST.  The target users will be both researchers and real-world software developers.

Research goals for the project/intern

• Learn the basic (practical) fundamentals of MST.
• Adapt an existing or develop a new core MST-based toolchain suited to Web hosting.
• Develop a Web app and ergonomic user interface for using the tools.
• Setup a rigorous test framework for the core toolchain and Web app, including using them to specify and implement showcase example applications.
• Write tutorials explaining the (practical) fundamentals of MST and how to use the Web tools.
• Modularise the Web app to support existing and future extensions to MST theory.

Outcomes for the student

• Knowledge and experience in an active area of top-level research in the programming languages.
• Development of a practical and publicly available software project with the aim of transferring theoretical research results to benefit users.
• Interaction and collaboration with the research students and colleagues of the supervisor, in addition to other researchers in the wider Theory/CFCS group in EECS.

 

1) Dr Guiseppe Viola

Email: g.viola@qmul.ac.uk     

Project Title: Fabrication and characterization of novel antiferroelectric ceramics

Research Goals: 

This project aims to develop novel ceramic materials reported to exhibit antiferroelectric order potentially undergoing reversible electric-field-induced transitions, making them suitable for energy storage capacitors. These materials have been identified through density functional theory (DFT) calculations, but experimental validation remains limited. Details of the chemical compositions will be disclosed to the successful candidate. Within 8 weeks, the following steps are expected to be completed:

• Synthesis of the ceramics compound by solid state reaction route (ball-milling, calcination, and sintering);
• Characterization of the compound obtained, confirming single phase by X-ray diffraction, density by Archimedes method, analysis of microstructural morphology by scanning electron microscopy.
• Measurement of electrical properties by impedance spectroscopy to assess dielectric properties and current-polarization-electric field hysteresis loops to confirm or disprove antiferroelectric properties.

The results of the characterization and measurements will be used in feedback loop to optimize synthesis conditions.

The candidate will join the Queen Mary Centre for Undergraduate Research and an experienced research team and participate in a structured training programme, gaining hands-on experience in ceramics processing using solid state reaction: i) ball milling, ii) drying, sieving; iii) calcination; iv) sintering (conventional and fast sintering techniques).

Additional training will include: i) phase and structure analysis by basic X-ray diffraction; ii) microstructure analysis by scanning electron microscopy; iii) chemical analysis by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS); iv) dielectric property measurements using impedance spectroscopy; v) electrical properties generating current-polarization-electric field hysteresis loops. Each training can be given in each week, grouping SEM and EDS in the same session as EDS detector is attached to the SEM equipment and chemical analysis could be taken soon after SEM imaging.  

2) Dr Zion Tse

Email: z.tse@qmul.ac.uk   

Project Background: Accurate and controlled simulation of human blood flow is essential for the development, validation, and training of medical technologies. However, existing medical phantoms often lack the capability to reliably reproduce realistic cardiovascular dynamics, such as pulsatile flow, variable pressure, and physiological responsiveness, which restricts their applicability.

Our objective is to design and implement a software-controlled interface that enables precise regulation of blood flow dynamics—specifically simulating normal, healthy circulation patterns consistent with physiological conditions. This platform will serve as a programmable digital twin of a healthy and diseased heart, forming the foundation for future work in simulating pathological conditions. It will also support the development and optimisation of wearable sensors and AI algorithms for patient monitoring and diagnosis, providing a safe and repeatable environment for testing and training.

Research aims:

1. Develop a Programmable Blood Flow Control System for the physical phantom
2. Simulate Normal Physiological Blood Flow, with accurate pulsatility and pressure profiles.
3. Lay the groundwork for simulating abnormal cardiovascular conditions, enabling future digital twin applications.

Research Outcome:

1. A functional, programmable interface (software and/or hardware integration) to control the blood flow in the phantom system.
2. A validated simulation of healthy blood circulation, including pulse-like flow patterns consistent with normal cardiac function.
3. A modular platform that can evolve into a programmable digital twin of a diseased heart, supporting the development of wearable health technologies and AI-based diagnostic systems.

1) Dr Nicolas Hernandez

Email: n.hernandez@qmul.ac.uk

Project Title: Adaptive Inference and Segmentation for Functional Time Series          

Project Statement: 

This research project focuses on Functional Time Series (FTS) analysis by addressing two critical challenges: optimal segmentation of time series data and the development of Bayesian inference methods for predictive credible bands. FTS methods are widely used in applications such as finance and energy forecasting, yet effective segmentation remains a challenge. Poorly chosen intervals can introduce artificial dependencies and reduce the reliability of statistical models. This project aims to develop an algorithm that optimally segments time series data by minimising within-group variance, enhancing clustering and classification performance.

In addition to segmentation, this project explores Bayesian inference techniques to construct predictive credible bands, which offer a probabilistic framework for forecasting. Unlike frequentist methods, Bayesian credible bands incorporate prior knowledge and better account for uncertainty, making them particularly valuable in real-world applications where data may be sparse or highly variable. By implementing Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods, this research seeks to improve the accuracy of uncertainty quantification in FTS forecasting models.

Over the course of eight weeks, the intern will conduct a literature review, develop and implement segmentation algorithms, apply Bayesian inference techniques, and validate methods through simulations and case studies. The intern will gain experience in statistical programming, data analysis, and computational modelling while contributing to an active area of research. The project not only enhances technical expertise but also provides an opportunity for the intern to engage in impactful research with potential applications in finance, energy, and other industries reliant on time series forecasting.

 

2) Dr Thomas Prellberg and Dr Matthew Lewis        

Email: t.prellberg@qmul.ac.uk , matthew.lewis@qmul.ac.uk

Project Title: Combinatorial search algorithms - AI and Machine Learning vs Integer Optimization

Project background:

This research internship will explore how modern tools using Large Language models compete against traditional methods such as state-of-the-art integer optimisation [2]. Based on code made available on GitHub [3], this project seeks to explore in the context of the no-three-in-line problem [4] whether PatternBoost [1] provides a viable alternative.

The project will be structured as follows

• implement recursive search for the no-three-in-line problem
• implement integer programming for the no-three-in-line problem using Gurobi
• understand the implementation of PatternBoost [3] by exploring some of the provided case studies
• implement no-three-in-line within PatternBoost
• provide a GitHub repository for the project

The main work for this project will be coding in Python, but some of the work will involve modifying existing Julia code. Knowledge in Python (e.g. by having taken MTH4000 and MTH5005) is required, and a willingness to learn Julia is expected.

[1] F. Charton et. al., "PatternBoost: Constructions in Mathematics with a Little Help from AI", https://arxiv.org/html/2411.00566 

[2] https://gurobi.com 

[3] https://github.com/zawagner22/transformers_math_experiments 

[4] "Gurobi vs the no-three-in-line problem", https://11011110.github.io/blog/2018/11/12/gurobi-vs-no.html 

 

3) Dr Eftychia Solea

Email: e.solea@qmul.ac.uk

Project Title: The statistical analysis of brain data 

Project background: In neuroscience, uncovering interactions and dependencies within neuroimaging datasets is crucial for understanding brain function. These dependencies highlight brain areas that coordinate during specific tasks or share common features during resting states. This so-called functional brain connectivity is a key biomarker for predicting brain diseases and comparing individuals or populations, provided it can be reliably estimated from neuroimaging data.

In this project, the student will work under my supervision to apply advanced machine learning techniques, including graphical models and neural networks, to estimate brain connectivity from public real-world brain imaging datasets, such as the ADHD-200 and ADNI datasets. These datasets contain brain signals from patients diagnosed with ADHD and Alzheimer's disease, respectively. These applications will applications will enhance our understanding of ADHD and Alzheimer’s.  The student will gain hands-on experience with advanced statistical and AI tools, as well as practical training in applying these methods to real-world medical data to tackle critical challenges in brain disease research.  The student will contribute to data preprocessing, preliminary data analysis, model application and they will write scientific reports by summarising their findings.  The student will present their findings at the Undergraduate Research Seminar at SMS. These activities will allow them to develop essential skills such as critical thinking, problem formulation, statistical and computational skills, writing, and presenting. This experience will prepare the student for pursuing advanced degrees in modern statistics and AI.

4) Professor Claudia Garetto

Email: c.garetto@qmul.ac.uk 

Project title: Linear algebra for hyperbolic equations

Project Background: In my research I study a special class of partial differential equations called hyperbolic equations. They appear in many physical phenomena, like earthquakes, tsunamis, wave propagation, etc. From a mathematical point of view, they are studied making use of special techniques involving linear algebra, i.e., matrices and vectors. I have developed many of these techniques for systems of first order hyperbolic equations and I want to test them now on equations of higher order: 2, 3, 4 etc. In this 8 week project we will analyse some toy models and test these linear algebra techniques on hyperbolic equations of order 2, 3 and 4. 

1) Dr Cristina Giordano         

Email: c.giordano@qmul.ac.uk            

Project Title: From Waste to Value: Nanomaterial Design for Sustainable Energy Solutions

Project Statement: The project concerns the conversion of agricultural waste (biomass, such as cherry stones) into functional nanomaterials via sol-gel based procedure designed by our research group. The prepared nanomaterials will then be used to catalyse the conversion of more biomass, in a sustainable green circle, with the aim to reduce waste, and produce added-value products and green fuels, thus alleviating current energy issues. Nano catalysts composition will be tuned to go from mere metallic nanoparticles to multi-metallic nanocomposites. Within the project, skills such as nanoparticles preparation, characterisation and testing will be acquired, alongside data analysis and presentation skills, both in the form of written report and, if wished by the student, also via oral presentation in form of seminar for the hosting research group.