Focused Energy:

Prof. Sandy Cochran is an experienced researcher who has worked across many aspects of ultrasonic technology through his primary focus on the devices that generate and detect ultrasound. Topics he has studied include underwater sonar, non-destructive evaluation, acoustic tweezing and medical imaging as well as therapeutic applications. He particularly appreciates the many different aspects of ultrasound that allow a broad approach to be taken, with serendipity often leading to interesting scientific and engineering research insights and applications.

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Dr Tom Gilbertson (Honorary Consultant Neurologist and Senior Lecturer at the University of Dundee) is scientific & clinical lead for Scotland’s MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) neurosurgical service, treating movement disorders without a single incision.

By combining brain imaging, behavioural science, and time spent understanding what matters to patients, his research explores how changes in brain networks can disrupt the background processes that keep us able to choose our next step.

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Dr Isla Barnard is a computational physicist working at the interface of academic physics and clinical medicine at Ninewells Hospital, University of Dundee. She is drawn to the challenges in delivering focused ultrasound to deep brain targets, and her long-term goal is to use high-performance computing to ask deeper questions about how acoustic and thermal processes can be harnessed to interact with the brain.

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Priyanka completed her integrated B.Tech and M.Tech in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology at Amity University, India, and gained industry experience through an internship at India’s National Physical Laboratory before joining the FUSE CDT for her PhD at the University of Glasgow. Her research focuses on wearable ultrasound devices, specifically developing application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) for SonoMyoGraphy applications in robotic prosthetics and human augmentation.

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Saeed brings a background in Electrical Engineering and Non-Destructive Evaluation to his research on the inspection of complex components. His work focuses on using artificial intelligence techniques, such as imitation learning and behaviour cloning, to translate human expert knowledge directly to robotic systems. He’s particularly interested in how this approach can enhance both the efficiency and accuracy of ultrasonic inspection processes.

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Xanthe’s background is in physics, and during the final year of her MPhys degree, she developed a keen interest in medical physics and specifically ultrasound, which led her to join FUSE for her PhD journey. Her research focuses on wearable ultrasound for head and neck imaging, particularly for speech and swallowing assessment by speech and language therapists.

Leah graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University with a BEng in Electrical and Electronic Engineering with specialisms in Mechatronic Engineering before joining FUSE. Her PhD project, “Nanobubbles for Earlier Pancreatic Cancer Detection,” focuses on using novel nanobubble ultrasonic contrast agents to determine the stage of pancreatic cancer. Using Super Resolution Ultrasound Imaging techniques, her work locates and tracks these contrast agents to create super-resolved images beyond classical diffraction limits, mapping their trajectories and velocities as they travel.

Dorka completed her BSc in Immunology and Pharmacology at the University of Strathclyde, followed by a Master’s degree in Precision Medicine and Pharmacological Technology, awarded jointly by the Universities of Glasgow, Strathclyde, and Aberdeen. Dorka’s research interests lie at the intersection of human biology and technology. She is currently engaged in the development of retinal tear and detachment phantoms in partnership with the ophthalmic devices company, Keeler.