An engineering undergraduate from the Australian National University (ANU) helped to design a capsule to enable more reliable and affordable diagnosis of coeliac disease while on a scholarship at Harvard Medical School.
Mechanical and materials systems engineering student Emily Campbell StudIEAust said that she recently worked with the Tearney Laboratory, part of the Harvard Medical School, in adapting their capsule design to optimise the visualisation of villi, which are damaged by coeliac disease.
“Detecting variations in villi morphology is important in the diagnosis of coeliac disease, so it is essential that the images obtained by the capsule are detailed and true representations of the villi,” Miss Campbell said.
“While I was there, I collaborated with other research groups who had access to advanced 3D printing technology that we used to create moulds for models of the small intestine, and I also worked on testing the behaviour of swine tissue and different capsule design ideas.”
After winning the $10,000 ANU Health Science and Technology Scholarship, Miss Campbell lived in Boston for two months where she carried out the research.
Miss Campbell recently presented her project at the annual Young Engineers Australia Undergraduate Project Presentation (UPP) night, where she won the $500 first prize.
Engineers Australia Division Manager Keely Quinn said one of the most impressive aspects of Miss Campbell’s’ project presentation was that it described the use of cutting-edge methodologies to effectively address an age-old and common medical condition.
“Current diagnostic methods of coeliac disease are expensive and unreliable and so what made Miss Campbell’s project presentation stand out was the use of modern 3D printing, which allowed for fast production and trialling of a technology that will provide a reliable and inexpensive diagnostic tool,” Ms Quinn said.
“We all know someone who suffers from coeliac disease and the new capsule technology that Miss Campbell has helped design engaged the judges with its real-world and very relatable outcomes.”
The UPP was sponsored by Thales and the ANU Engineering Students' Association and was open to all engineering students at the ANU, University of Canberra and University of New South Wales.
UPP judge Neil Greet FIEAust said that the UPP event is valuable for students and industry alike.
“The UPP event provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their projects beyond the walls of the university, and in turn, industry gets an insight into the high calibre of student and new thinking coming from universities,” Mr Greet said.
“Miss Campbell’s project presentation showcased new bio medical technology, which systematically incorporated many aspects of modern engineering within the project.
“It is this ability to leap forward in thinking at an undergraduate level that is highly impressive.”
Miss Campbell said that entering the UPP was a valuable learning experience for her and other participants.
“To win the presentation prize was a great confidence boost … and I think every student walked away with a feeling of accomplishment and pride, ready to continue taking opportunities like this one on,” Miss Campbell said.
Email to find out more about the next Young Engineers Australia Undergraduate Project Presentation (UPP) night.
Image: Andrew McLarty TMIEAust (ITE&E Branch Chair), Neil Greet FIEAust (Canberra Division Past President), Emily Campbell StudIEAust, John Best (Vice President Strategy and Technical, Thales) and Kerry Lunney FIEAust CPEng EngExec NER APEC Engineer (Technical Director and Chief Engineer, Thales).