University Of Ulster

Dr Rachel Williams from the department of Clinical Sciences at the University of Liverpool was a recent visitor the Nanotechnology and Integrated Bioengineering Centre (NIBES) at the University of Ulster to deliver the Northern Ireland Biomedical Engineering Society (NIBES) 2008 Spring Lecture, in conjunction with the Institute of Materials (IOM3). Her talk entitled “biomaterials for the Restoration of Vision” highlighted her research into how biomaterials can be applied to restore our sight and described exciting clinical and commercial developments in this area. She also managed to set in context the importance of such research and identified some notable challenges that lie ahead if the key aim of restoring sight is to be realised in the future. Dr. Adrian Boyd, a lecturer in biomaterials at NIBEC and the current president of NIBES welcomed Dr. Williams to NIBEC and highlighted NIBES continued commitment to bringing over researchers of the highest quality from the UK (and beyond) to deliver such high profile lectures. In particular Dr. Boyd emphasised the importance of allowing local undergraduate and postgraduate students with ambitions to work in the biomedical engineering sector the opportunity to engage with researchers from other institutions and countries in order to broaden their perspectives on the challenges involved.