My name is Megan and I’m currently on BSc Biomedical Sciences. I love to read and play archery in my spare time. I’ve grown up with mild to moderate Sensorineural and Conductive Hearing Loss in both ears. I wear Phonax Marvel hearing aids (above) to help me navigate various environments and reduce background noise so that I can follow what is going on around me.

At birth, I didn’t pass the initial Otoacoustic Emissions test. After further testing, my parents realised I couldn’t hear properly. However, this was masked by glue ear. I was properly diagnosed with Bilateral (hearing loss on both sides) Sensorineural loss after i had grommets inserted at 18 months. Later, I was also diagnosed with permanent conductive loss due to hypermobility (not glue ear). However, the permanent conductive loss fluctuates.

You might be wondering … what is Sensorineural and Conductive Hearing Loss? A sensorineural hearing loss is caused by the loss or damage to the tiny hair cells located in the cochlear or the inner area. This means that the tiny hair cells in my cochlear can no longer transmit sound from the inner ear through the auditory nerve in the brain. Conductive Hearing Loss for me is caused by problems with the three small bones in my ear, as they do not conduct the sound properly.

The reason why I chose this module was because I am interested in learning more about how hearing aids and cochlear implants work, as well as the latest advancements in hearing technology. It’s a very personal subject to me.

As a natural scientist, my interests remain very broad, however, I mainly focus on organic chemistry and aspects on immunology and pharmacology. I began studying cellular biology in my first years at University, but have since diverted my interest along the immunotherapy pathway focusing on selective toxicity.

This module will allow me to extend my understanding of real-life applications and ethics behind the closed doors of engineering replacement body parts. I am particularly intrigued to look closer at the medical ethics aspect of the module, as a future in ethics or patent law is something I am considering. Equipping myself with the knowledge and reasoning behind the implications of stem cells and medical devices, will help me to learn the foundation of assembling scientific reasoning which I can apply to further and current examples in the medical industry and impact such inventions will have on society.

I am excited to explore prosthesis and the mechanics involved in installing false limbs, something which I have never looked into before. This module is very significant and I believe it is important to spread the awareness behind new and technological advancements.

In line with the ethos of the Natural Sciences course, this interdisciplinary module focuses on improving student skill set beyond written exams, via reflective learning and interactive discussions.

A short video describing the key aspects of medical ethics.

Amy Sturgeon

When looking at University degrees, I came across Biomedical Engineering which immediately struck my attention as I love the idea that something you have built could potentially improve the life of many people. However, my lack of maths and physics understanding led me to choose a different degree.

One particular research that I found particularly interesting was something known as a Sapien transcatheter heart valve, which is a valve that can be introduced to the patient without the need of an open heart surgery.

The valve is introduced through the femoral artery and the inflation of a balloon allows it to be placed in the correct place in the heart, allowing patients without the ability to undergo complex procedures to obtain a new heart valve.

Do you want to find out how stem cells are being used to help treat disease and allow us to live better, for longer?

University of Southampton UOSM2031

As a second year biomedical science student I was given the chance to choose three optional modules for semester two. I knew I wanted to chose Vertebrate Development and Medical Microbiology, but what else? Going through each and every one of the optional modules we had and reading about their contents this first sentence for the Engineering replacement body parts modules intrigued me. I find stem cells fascinating and the range of uses they have is amazing.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been in the kitchen creating recipes and treats like potions a bubble bath when you were young. Baking has always come naturally to me and I find my most creative moments decorating an 8 inch cake in preparation for a big event or brainstorming a treat table for a baby shower. Baking is where I feel my happiest and being able to recreate people’s dream cakes and bakes is extremely fulfilling.

Creation of the brand name

I had been selling the odd box of cupcakes here and there but it wasn’t until lock-down of 2020 where I truly embraced my baking side and decided to take a more professional approach towards my products and how I advertised them. With all the free time on my hands, I began to think and generate a name that reflected both what I do and me as a person. The initial naming process resulted in “sweettoothcupcakes” after discovering that this business name was only taken by a Lady in the states but it just didn’t feel personal to me. After much more deliberating and logo designing, the name of Taylomadecupcakes was born which reflected my name as the personal element, the main basis of what I do (bake) and my speciality – cupcakes! The name fitted perfectly and closely followed was the logo that is still used and incorporated in my products today.

My name is Emma and I have Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy is a heart condition where the left ventricle of the heart is larger than it should be and the muscle is thinner than it should be. This means that it is a lot harder for my heart to pump blood around my body.

I was diagnosed at the age of one after having parvo virus. This is what triggered the beginning of my symptoms. Dilated cardiomyopathy is also known as “sudden death syndrome” as many people never experience symptoms, in this way I was lucky.

My mum took me into the hospital and they noticed that all of my organs had a lot of fluid surrounding them, and I even had fluid on my lungs. I was nearly in kidney failure and heart failure.

I was rushed to the Royal Brompton Hospital in London where I was put into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). My mum was then informed that I had a 1/3 chance of death, 1/3 chance of having a heart transplant, and 1/3 chance of being on medication for the rest of my life. It dawned on her then… none of those options were me getting better.

Thankfully I was very lucky. Despite being on the list for a heart transplant, there was a new drug that was available called Carvedilol, this along with six other medications and a strict high calorie diet, saved my life.

Now, with the help of daily medications I am able to live my life normally. I just have to go once a year for a series of investigations and be slightly more careful than most at exercising and high adrenaline activities.

It is miraculous really, I feel incredibly lucky to be alive and live in an age that I can rely on medication for the rest of my life.