PhD student presents her research to Parliament
Hashini Thirimanne, who is studying for a PhD in Electronic Engineering, was a finalist in the STEM for BRITAIN competition, competing against other researchers at the House of Commons.
Shortlisted from hundreds of applicants, Hashini presented her research to politicians and a panel of expert judges as part of the STEM for BRITAN poster competition for early stage and early career researchers on 12 March.
Hashini’s research focuses on a new generation of X-ray detectors which could revolutionise many detector applications. Based in Surrey’s Advanced Technology Institute, she has collaborated with the Royal Surrey County Hospital, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and Siemens Healthineers, Germany during her PhD.
Hashini said: “I applied to take part in STEM for BRITAIN as I wanted to present the innovation I’ve developed throughout my PhD studies to a larger audience. Being part of the Awards finals at the House of Commons was a unique experience. I was ecstatic to present my work in front of many Parliamentarians and the feedback and the enthusiasm I had was immense. The day definitely made my PhD journey much more worthwhile and rewarding.”
Stephen Metcalfe MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, said: “This annual competition is an important date in the parliamentary calendar because it gives MPs an opportunity to speak to a wide range of the country’s best young researchers.
“These early career engineers, mathematicians and scientists are the architects of our future and STEM for BRITAIN is politicians’ best opportunity to meet them and understand their work.”
Read more about Hashini’s PhD research.
STEM for BRITAIN is run by the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee in collaboration with the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Institute of Physics, the Royal Society of Biology, The Physiological Society and the Council for the Mathematical Sciences, with financial support from the Clay Mathematics Institute, UK Research and Innovation, Warwick Manufacturing Group, Society of Chemical Industry, the Nutrition Society, Institute of Biomedical Science and the Heilbronn Institute for Mathematical Research.
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