Oxford Engineering researchers recognised in IET Postgraduate Research Awards

DPhil candidates Latifah Almulla and Matthew Burgess at our Institute of Biomedical Engineering (IBME) have been recognised in the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Postgraduate Research Awards 2026. Latifah has been awarded the Hudswell International Research Scholarship, while Matthew has received the IET Postgraduate Prize 2026. Awarded through a competitive international selection process, the IET Postgraduate Research Awards recognise excellence and innovation in engineering research and support the development of future engineering leaders.

Latifah, a member of Professor Christopher Proctor's research group, is developing bioelectronic and microfluidic implants for targeted brain drug delivery. Her research combines drug delivery with integrated sensing technologies that monitor physiological responses in real time, providing feedback to guide therapy. This approach could enable more precise and adaptive treatments for neurological disorders while supporting the development of closed-loop therapeutic systems.

Latifah Almulla said: "I am delighted to have been selected as this year's recipient of the Hudswell International Research Scholarship. Receiving this recognition from the Institution of Engineering and Technology is particularly meaningful at this stage of my DPhil, and I am honoured that my research has been recognised. The award will support the next stage of my DPhil research through pre-clinical in vivo studies that could advance its translational potential. It also reinforces my aspiration to pursue academic research and develop innovative bioelectronic and microfluidic systems that can improve the treatment of neurological disorders."

 Matthew is a postgraduate researcher in the SMART Biomaterials team, supervised by Professor Malavika Nair. His research focuses on the development of ionomeric extracellular matrix (iECM) actuators – fully resorbable biomaterials capable of delivering electrical and mechanical stimulation from tissue to the cellular scale. Using these materials as the foundation of tissue-engineered scaffolds, his work explores the potential of multimodal stimulation for regenerative medicine applications, including wound healing and cardiac repair. The materials are designed to degrade naturally once their therapeutic role is complete.

Matthew Burgess said: "Receiving the IET Postgraduate Prize is a tremendous honour and a real validation of the work we are doing at Oxford. The materials we are developing, capable of stimulating and interacting with living tissue, open up genuinely exciting possibilities for tissue engineering that we are excited to explore. As I approach the end of my DPhil, this recognition comes at an especially important time. It will directly support my development as an independent researcher, enabling me to begin creating engineering solutions for critical-care biotechnology and to lay the groundwork for the next stage of my career."

The IET Postgraduate Research Awards are designed to promote excellence in engineering research and support high-quality engineers in developing successful research careers.

The awards form part of the IET's wider commitment to inspiring and supporting the next generation of engineers and technicians. For more information about the IET Postgraduate Research Awards, visit www.theiet.org/postgradawards.