hey, hello, hi!
Welcome to the first instalment of Girls Who’s new blog series: Women in STEM Wednesday. The aim of the series is to provide a better explanation of different areas within STEM as well as the numerous different paths you can take to get there.
Our first Women in STEM Wednesday is… ME. I’ve been writing a “What is Medical Engineering?” blog post for what feels like forever, and I’ve really struggled defining it, so I thought I’d combine it with this one!
I’ve already got a whole blog post where I introduce myself and tell you a bit about me, which you can see here! But if this is your first time here (welcome!), I’m Meg, I’m 24 and currently in my 5th (and final) year of a Medical Engineering degree with an integrated Masters at Cardiff University!
What is Medical Engineering?
So Medical Engineering. The easiest way to describe it is a cross between medicine and engineering, as it says on the tin. Basically, anything remotely clinical/medical/surgical that can be changed/developed is classed as Medical Engineering. Think prosthetics, medical imaging devices (x-rays/CT scanners/MRI machines/radiotherapy machines), surgical devices and implants, ventilators. But also human and tissue engineering research so think stem cell therapy, brain injury, orthopaedics (bones).. The list is endless which is why I love it.
What pathway did you take to get to your degree in Medical Engineering?
I took the “classic” route of GCSEs and then A Levels at a science and technology focused school. I did Maths, Further Maths and Physics at A Level and I also took Textiles at AS Level. I originally applied to university to do Physics but after deciding to take the year to improve my A level results (and gain a bit of life experience) I reapplied to do Medical Engineering. Also, for what its worth, my science teachers at the time didn’t think I was capable of doing triple science so I ended up doing double science. So when teachers make you feel like your GCSE choices define your life, they perhaps aren’t quite correct.
Why did you choose Medical Engineering?
If I’m honest, I think I would have applied to do Medicine if I’d done the right A levels for it. I guess that says I’ve always had an interest in all things medical. I’ve also always been good at STEM subjects – or at least in comparison to ‘wordy’ subjects like English. Combine them together and you get Medical Engineering. I actually hadn’t considered engineering at all until I spoke to one of my maths teachers who was an electrical engineer before becoming a teacher. I did some research and stumbled across Medical Engineering and absolutely loved the sound of it. A perfect combination of all the things I was interested in.
What is Medical Engineering like at university?
So firstly, it’s worth noting that some engineering degrees come with accreditation to professional bodies (e.g. my degree is IMECHE accredited which means that the Institute of Mechanical Engineers considers my degree as a professional qualification. It essentially allows me to gain chartered engineer status should I do the work required for it). This accreditation is good (although not a necessity) but it has meant that my degree has been very structured with minimal chance of optional modules. It also means I’ve had to do a set amount of mechanical engineering to gain the accreditation. Examples of my modules are: electrical engineering, thermofluids, materials and manufacturing but then also anatomy and physiology, biomechanics, tissue engineering, forensic bioengineering – it’s definitely been extremely varied. I’ve also had a large number of different projects which have definitely been more ‘medical engineering’ than my modules. I’m currently part of a project that is computationally modelling the scenario of a human heading a football with the aim of defining what would be classed as a “bad header” and in turn could cause brain injury. Last year I also designed a CPR dummy that used the chest compression movement to create its own power so it could be used in rural/remote locations! So yeah, basically projects are a lot more interesting than the modules but the modules are mostly governed by IMECHE!
What’s been your favourite part of your degree?
This is actually a really hard question to answer because although I spend 90% of my life moaning about my degree, I actually really enjoy it (ask me the same question mid April when I’m up to my eyeballs in deadlines and you’ll get a very different answer). If I had to chose one favourite part, it would probably be my 4th year projects. I mentioned in a previous blog post how much of a football fan I am, so working on a project focussing on football heading, which FIFA have been involved in, has been AMAZING. Also, one of my favourite things is being around people who get as excited as me about nerdy things in engineering. For example, I’m part of a project where we are creating an algorithm that increases the accuracy of diagnosing asthma in A&E/ER and basically every meeting we get excited talking about the endless possibilities involved with the algorithm – I know, nerdy right?
What have you liked the least about your degree?
There have been some modules that have been SO HARD. This year I had one called Theory and Applications of the Finite Element Method which essentially is looking at computationally modelling real life objects and scenarios. In general it’s done using computer software but it can also be done using programming software. This module wanted us to use a programming software to model a hip prothesis. It was so difficult, time consuming and just mentally draining (think 4hr+ Teams calls and many a tears shed). I have also struggled sometimes with how a lot of modules were aimed at mechanical engineers which meant there were very little examples provided of how the theory we were learning applied to Medical Engineering – this did change a lot when I reached 3rd though.
What advice would you give to young girls who are interested in pursuing a career in STEM?
Ok, I mean, I created a whole blog as a way of giving advice to young girls interested in STEM so summing it up in a paragraph is going to be hard. But my number one thing would be BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. It doesn’t matter if you trusted your judgement and made a mistake – that’s how you learn. Believe in yourself, your ability and believe that what is meant to be, will find a way to be. Additionally, don’t let anyone tell you there is only one ‘set’ way of achieving something (schools are terrible for doing this!!). I have created Women in STEM Wednesdays to show everyone there is no set way of going into STEM. There is no ‘image’ of an engineer, or a scientist, or an architect, or any other occupation that you need to somehow shape yourself to fit. ALSO (ok last one I promise), say yes to every opportunity (within your means, of course). Even if the opportunity scares you, or you don’t feel good enough for it, say yes and worry about that later. One thing I wish I could change about my 14 year old self is not saying yes to more opportunities that actually interested me because I was scared I didn’t deserve them, or was going to embarrass myself during them. There’s a saying that life wouldn’t give you the challenge or opportunity if it didn’t think you could handle it (or something properly more poetically written than that – typical engineer). But basically: be unapologetically yourself, be brave, believe you have the ability and say YES to every opportunity.
That concludes our first ever Women in STEM Wednesday! Thank you for making it this far. I hope that all the other girls taking part enjoy writing theirs as much as I did! Send me a message on my Facebook page which can be found here, or on instagram @girlswhostem_ if you want any more information about Medical Engineering, as a degree or just in general.
All my love, Meg x
Girls Who STEM 
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