Development of 2D and 3D Ultrasound Super-Resolution (US-SR) Imaging for the Clinic
Lead Research Organisation:
King's College London
Department Name: Imaging & Biomedical Engineering
Abstract
Cancer is among the leading causes of death worldwide. Cancers generate their own network of blood vessels to provide nutrients and oxygen to grow and spread. Detecting these developments early and treating them increases the chances of survival. However, current imaging methods are unable to detect these microscopic structures deep within the body. Therefore there is a crucial need to develop new imaging techniques that can fill this requirement. Additionally, imaging techniques which can look at the full 3D region of disease are urgently needed to reliably assess these.
The research in this proposal is designed to develop and demonstrate an ultrasound imaging technique known as ultrasound super-resolution (US-SR) in 2D and 3D in the clinic. US-SR is able to image extremely fine details of the blood vessel network, previously unseen with standard ultrasound imaging. This technique involves adding small amounts of microbubbles into the blood stream, which show up on the ultrasound images because the sound is more strongly reflected from the bubbles than other tissues. These bubbles circulate harmlessly within the vessels until they dissolve after a few minutes. By pinpointing the location of these travelling bubbles over time, we can build up an image which 'paints out' the vessel structures containing those microbubbles. The ability to see these small vessels using ultrasound, which is able to image at depth (>10 cm) in humans, has the potential to identify these important changes in the vascular network
Currently, however, US-SR has only been demonstrated in a small number of patients, it requires long scan times (in the range of 10s of minutes depending on the target) and ultrasound use in hospitals is generally limited to 2D. Within this proposed fellowship, it is my aim to firstly, develop faster ways to acquire the data needed to create these images. Secondly, to demonstrate the use of 2D US-SR in a large number of patients. And lastly, to use these developments to move 3D US-SR into the clinic.
Successful 3D clinical US-SR demonstration could propel this technique into clinical practice. Its use could provide safe, low-cost microscopic assessment of blood vessels associated with disease. This could be crucial to patients with a wide range of micro-vascular related diseases including cancer due to early diagnosis and treatment. Given that US is an affordable imaging technique compared to for example x-ray CT and MRI, this could also provide significant cost-savings for the NHS.
The research in this proposal is designed to develop and demonstrate an ultrasound imaging technique known as ultrasound super-resolution (US-SR) in 2D and 3D in the clinic. US-SR is able to image extremely fine details of the blood vessel network, previously unseen with standard ultrasound imaging. This technique involves adding small amounts of microbubbles into the blood stream, which show up on the ultrasound images because the sound is more strongly reflected from the bubbles than other tissues. These bubbles circulate harmlessly within the vessels until they dissolve after a few minutes. By pinpointing the location of these travelling bubbles over time, we can build up an image which 'paints out' the vessel structures containing those microbubbles. The ability to see these small vessels using ultrasound, which is able to image at depth (>10 cm) in humans, has the potential to identify these important changes in the vascular network
Currently, however, US-SR has only been demonstrated in a small number of patients, it requires long scan times (in the range of 10s of minutes depending on the target) and ultrasound use in hospitals is generally limited to 2D. Within this proposed fellowship, it is my aim to firstly, develop faster ways to acquire the data needed to create these images. Secondly, to demonstrate the use of 2D US-SR in a large number of patients. And lastly, to use these developments to move 3D US-SR into the clinic.
Successful 3D clinical US-SR demonstration could propel this technique into clinical practice. Its use could provide safe, low-cost microscopic assessment of blood vessels associated with disease. This could be crucial to patients with a wide range of micro-vascular related diseases including cancer due to early diagnosis and treatment. Given that US is an affordable imaging technique compared to for example x-ray CT and MRI, this could also provide significant cost-savings for the NHS.
Technical Summary
Non-invasive imaging of the microvasculature is crucial for the early detection and intervention of diseases such as cancer and other microvascular related diseases. This proposal addresses a crucial clinical challenge: the lack of a sensitive, safe, repeatable method for detecting, characterising and monitoring such diseases. Recently developed ultrasound super-resolution (US-SR) is able to resolve microvascular details far beyond the diffraction limit at depth (>10 cm) in vivo. To transfer this technology into society, clinical translation and 3D US-SR development is urgently needed.
Aims:. This research is designed to provide advances in areas of maximal clinical relevance through systematically designed experiments, recent technological advances, and clinical guidance and support. The results will provide both validation, and a solid grounding in basic science for the fast developing field of US-SR. The core objectives are:
1)To develop novel advanced, acquisition strategies and real-time software using deep learning, advanced signal processing methods, and the activation of sparse contrast agent to provide improved detection accuracy, localisation rates, and automation.
2)To design, develop and test (in vitro and in vivo) the accuracy and clinical relevance of structural and functional parameters for disease characterisation.
3)To formalise clinical 2D US-SR and establish clinical acceptance. This involves the demonstration of the diagnostic power of US-SR parameters over large clinical datasets from existing studies.
4)To develop and implement clinical 3D US-SR with the aid of advances made in 1)-3), a healthy volunteer pilot study and existing patient studies.
By making maximal use of planned or existing trials, I will avoid the need for significant additional human involvement. Throughout this translational project, methods will be evaluated by an extensive network of clinicians and researchers, allowing continuous feedback and ongoing knowledge
Aims:. This research is designed to provide advances in areas of maximal clinical relevance through systematically designed experiments, recent technological advances, and clinical guidance and support. The results will provide both validation, and a solid grounding in basic science for the fast developing field of US-SR. The core objectives are:
1)To develop novel advanced, acquisition strategies and real-time software using deep learning, advanced signal processing methods, and the activation of sparse contrast agent to provide improved detection accuracy, localisation rates, and automation.
2)To design, develop and test (in vitro and in vivo) the accuracy and clinical relevance of structural and functional parameters for disease characterisation.
3)To formalise clinical 2D US-SR and establish clinical acceptance. This involves the demonstration of the diagnostic power of US-SR parameters over large clinical datasets from existing studies.
4)To develop and implement clinical 3D US-SR with the aid of advances made in 1)-3), a healthy volunteer pilot study and existing patient studies.
By making maximal use of planned or existing trials, I will avoid the need for significant additional human involvement. Throughout this translational project, methods will be evaluated by an extensive network of clinicians and researchers, allowing continuous feedback and ongoing knowledge
Planned Impact
Patients, the NHS, clinicians, the education sector, researchers and industries will benefit from this research. The proposed research could propel ultrasound super-resolution (US-SR) into the clinical world. Clinical 2D US-SR will be implemented within the time-frame of the Fellowship. Its real-world deployment could provide repeatable, safe, low-cost microscopic assessment of vasculature. This could aid clinicians with early disease detection, diagnosis, intervention and treatment monitoring in cancer, as well as a wide range of microvascular related diseases, e.g. those associated with diabetes and ischemia. Early detection and clinical intervention can significantly increase the chances of survival for almost all cancer patients. The work has the potential therefore to enhance the quality of life for many people, and in turn contribute to the nation's improved health. Clinicians and the patient population could thus be a beneficiary of this research within the next 5-10 years. In the future, US-SR may also be able to inform a personalised treatment plan based on characterisation of the vascular network and behaviour. More sensitive, personalised diagnostic modalities would have huge worldwide benefits to the future of cancer treatment and monitoring. This could potentially occur within the next 15 years.
Given that US is an affordable technology compared to e.g. x-ray CT and MRI, this technology could also provide significant cost-savings for the NHS. In addition, real-time US-SR could aid in assessing disease conditions in a fraction of the time required for the aforementioned imaging modalities, improving clinical efficiency and reducing clinical time requirements. Furthermore, improved resolution of microvascular structure and flow may introduce new indicators to aid diagnosis and could further expand the use of contrast enhanced US in primary care. This, as well as promoting the use of 3D clinical probes, and microbubble (MB) contrast agents in both a clinical and research setting would benefit companies and industries active in US medical diagnostics and MB manufacturers, e.g. Bracco, as well as clinicians and researchers, during the time-frame of the project. This could avoid more expensive clinical examinations and hence reduce healthcare costs. Further cost-savings gained through early cancer detection and intervention would result from increased chances of successful treatment, improved survival rates, and reducing the need for costly late-stage cancer treatments. Furthermore, newly developed acquisition protocols and software offers opportunity for commercialisation and industrial development. Researchers and the education sector will also benefit during and after the project finishes through dissemination and communication about the research in the academic environment, summer schools, and through public engagement activities.
Widespread implementation of 3D US-SR will likely be slower then 2D due to the current limited availability of 3D clinical probes, however this is predicted to drastically increase in the next few years due to recent advances in ultrasound (US) hardware and software. Successful demonstration of 3D US-SR could help to expedite translation of 3D equipment to the clinic, thus benefiting both clinicians and medical diagnostic companies e.g. Phillips and GE.
Both the Fellow and Research assistant will develop investigative research skills, interpersonal and communication skills across different audiences, e.g. academics, clinicians and the public. Furthermore, skills involved in working in an interdisciplinary environment, with clinicians, patients and researchers in different areas of expertise will be hugely valuable. The fellow will also develop project management and leadership skills needed to effectively deliver this ambitious project. This will aid in providing skilled people to the workforce.
Given that US is an affordable technology compared to e.g. x-ray CT and MRI, this technology could also provide significant cost-savings for the NHS. In addition, real-time US-SR could aid in assessing disease conditions in a fraction of the time required for the aforementioned imaging modalities, improving clinical efficiency and reducing clinical time requirements. Furthermore, improved resolution of microvascular structure and flow may introduce new indicators to aid diagnosis and could further expand the use of contrast enhanced US in primary care. This, as well as promoting the use of 3D clinical probes, and microbubble (MB) contrast agents in both a clinical and research setting would benefit companies and industries active in US medical diagnostics and MB manufacturers, e.g. Bracco, as well as clinicians and researchers, during the time-frame of the project. This could avoid more expensive clinical examinations and hence reduce healthcare costs. Further cost-savings gained through early cancer detection and intervention would result from increased chances of successful treatment, improved survival rates, and reducing the need for costly late-stage cancer treatments. Furthermore, newly developed acquisition protocols and software offers opportunity for commercialisation and industrial development. Researchers and the education sector will also benefit during and after the project finishes through dissemination and communication about the research in the academic environment, summer schools, and through public engagement activities.
Widespread implementation of 3D US-SR will likely be slower then 2D due to the current limited availability of 3D clinical probes, however this is predicted to drastically increase in the next few years due to recent advances in ultrasound (US) hardware and software. Successful demonstration of 3D US-SR could help to expedite translation of 3D equipment to the clinic, thus benefiting both clinicians and medical diagnostic companies e.g. Phillips and GE.
Both the Fellow and Research assistant will develop investigative research skills, interpersonal and communication skills across different audiences, e.g. academics, clinicians and the public. Furthermore, skills involved in working in an interdisciplinary environment, with clinicians, patients and researchers in different areas of expertise will be hugely valuable. The fellow will also develop project management and leadership skills needed to effectively deliver this ambitious project. This will aid in providing skilled people to the workforce.
Organisations
- King's College London (Fellow, Lead Research Organisation)
- Royal Berkshire Hospital (Collaboration)
- University of Florence (Collaboration)
- London South Bank University (Collaboration)
- IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON (Collaboration)
- KING'S COLLEGE LONDON (Collaboration)
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Project Partner)
- University of Padua (Project Partner)
- University of Oxford (Project Partner)
- Imperial College London (Project Partner)
People |
ORCID iD |
Kirsten Christensen-Jeffries (Principal Investigator / Fellow) |
Publications
Harput S
(2020)
3-D Super-Resolution Ultrasound Imaging With a 2-D Sparse Array.
in IEEE transactions on ultrasonics, ferroelectrics, and frequency control
Zhu J
(2019)
3D Super-Resolution US Imaging of Rabbit Lymph Node Vasculature in Vivo by Using Microbubbles.
in Radiology
Luchette M
(2023)
570: AN IN SILICO MODEL OF CIRCLE OF WILLIS BLOOD FLOW IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH SEPSIS
in Critical Care Medicine
Peralta L
(2020)
Coherent Multi-Transducer Ultrasound Imaging: first in vivo results
Christensen-Jeffries K
(2021)
Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in Pediatric Imaging
Peralta L
(2020)
Effects of aberration on super-resolution ultrasound imaging using microbubbles
in The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
Description | Advanced Ultrasound Imaging for Early Cancer Detection and Diagnosis |
Amount | £99,769 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EDDPMA-Nov23/100022 |
Organisation | King's College London |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2024 |
End | 04/2025 |
Description | Centre of Medical Engineering Public Engagement Grant scheme |
Amount | £3,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | King's College London |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2022 |
End | 07/2023 |
Description | EPSRC DTP Studentship |
Amount | £83,934 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/W524475/1 |
Organisation | King's College London |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2023 |
End | 07/2026 |
Title | Aberration simulation model |
Description | This simulation combines the established K-Wave model which the marmottant microbubble model into a single simulation model with realistic aberration masks in order to investigate the effects of aberration on ultrasound super-resolution imaging. This is a way of establishing its effects through realistic in vivo tissue without the use of real subjects/animals, and with the benefit of having ground truth for validation purposes. |
Type Of Material | Computer model/algorithm |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | This has resulted in an improved understanding of the effect of aberration on deep ultrasound signals in the body and has produced a publication listed in the outcomes sections for publications including (DOI: 10.1109/IUS52206.2021.9593820) |
Description | Collaboration with Antonios Pouliopoulos |
Organisation | King's College London |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We will be sharing our expertise and intellectual input in microbubbles and contrast enhanced ultrasound imaging since we have a shared interest in the use of microbubbles in ultrasound. I will also provide training of his students/staff on our research systems and equipment in the lab. We will offer the shared use of our lab space and lab equipment, and therefore will also provide training for the required equipment. |
Collaborator Contribution | Antonios is an expert in the use of ultrasound and microbubbles to treat brain diseases and so his intellectual input, expertise and shared knowledge will be very valuable. We will be sharing lab space, and therefore will be able to share and have access to shared equipment. We will also have access to experts in performing interventional ultrasound in vivo experiments which may be beneficial. |
Impact | We have put forward a number of project proposals with co-supervision to supervise prospective students with our combined expertise. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Collaboration with Cardiac Modelling and Imaging Biomarker Team |
Organisation | King's College London |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | This collaboration involves access to equipment and facilities, including high frame rate ultrasound imaging research systems (ULA-OP systems) and ultrasound imaging lab, as well as ultrasound imaging and contrast expertise and intellectual input. |
Collaborator Contribution | The partners contribute their expertise within the field of cardiac imaging and cardiac pressure estimations, and perform the experimental research. |
Impact | 10.1109/TUFFC.2019.2948759 10.1109/IUS52206.2021.9593833 |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Collaboration with Dr Jim Watchorn |
Organisation | Royal Berkshire Hospital |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Hospitals |
PI Contribution | Intellectual input and expertise in terms of contrast enhanced ultrasound imaging of the vasculature and in particular using super-resolution imaging. Providing guidance on the imaging protocol for research data collection for a study on ICU patients. Data analysis of subsequent data. |
Collaborator Contribution | Access to data. Clinical expertise in Intensive Care and Nephrology, in particular Sepsis and the vascular presentation of patients with septic shock. Intellectual input in nephrology and complex vascular function. |
Impact | Research dataset from ICU patients |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Collaboration with Dr Peralta |
Organisation | King's College London |
Department | Division of Imaging Sciences and Biomedical Engineering |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | My contribution to this collaboration is my expertise in super-resolution ultrasound imaging and bubble physics, as well as shared lab equipment and training. |
Collaborator Contribution | Dr Peralta has expertise using the K-wave simulation platform, and has already performed investigations into the effects of aberration on ultrasound imaging. Together with my expertise in super-resolution imaging and bubble physics, this allows us to form a collaboration to investigate this important topic. |
Impact | DOI: 10.1121/1.5146890 DOI: 10.1109/IUS52206.2021.9593820 DOI: 10.1109/IUS52206.2021.9593571 DOI: 10.1109/IUS46767.2020.9251837 DOI: 10.1109/IUS46767.2020.9251331 DOI: 10.1109/ULTSYM.2019.8926265 |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Collaboration with Imperial College London |
Organisation | Imperial College London |
Department | Department of Bioengineering |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | My contribution involves intellectual input and expertise in super-resolution ultrasound imaging and contrast enhanced ultrasound imaging. Furthermore access to data, equipment and facilities when needed. |
Collaborator Contribution | My partners contribution involves intellectual input and expertise in a wide range of ultrasound, signal processing, engineering, and imaging. Furthermore access to data, equipment and facilities when needed. |
Impact | 10.1109/IUS46767.2020.9251478 10.1109/IUS46767.2020.9251336 10.1109/IUS52206.2021.9593820 10.1121/10.0004529 10.1109/TUFFC.2019.2943646 10.1055/a-1917-0016 10.1109/IUS54386.2022.9958903 |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Collaboration with James Choi |
Organisation | Imperial College London |
Department | Department of Bioengineering |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | I am contributing expertise and intellectual input, as well as the use of our imaging equipment and facilities. This includes training and imparting knowledge on imaging, microbubble imaging and super-resolution to his team. They also have access to our lab, equipment e.g. high frame rate ultrasound system, data and training. We are also collaborating on developing new complimentary ideas, sharing phantom knowledge and sharing microbubble based knowledge. Group members have also attended our group meetings to get feedback and advice. |
Collaborator Contribution | James is an expert in the use of ultrasound and microbubbles to treat brain diseases and so his intellectual input, expertise and shared knowledge will be very valuable. We will be meeting regularly, and sharing a PhD project student. This will mean having access to his lab space, valued equipment, expertise and his teams extensive knowledge on many aspects e.g. phantoms, microbubble dynamics and therapy. |
Impact | 10.1121/10.0010944. Another output is a 'Centre of Doctoral Training in Smart Medical Imaging' PhD project due to commence Sep 2023 entitiled: 'Bubble Brilliance - - how microbubbles provide contrast in ultrasound imaging'. This project will be co-supervised by James and I, with multi-disciplinary research involving biology, chemisty, physics, engineering for the application of non-invasive surgery. The proposed work is a study in physics and engineering; and in the development of a new microvascular imaging algorithm. The student will be investigating the physics of bubbles and ultrasound while analysing data using signal and image processing. We will also be engineering a new medical imaging technology that will be able to image the microvasculature. As a result, this work is within the remit of the EPSRC and the CDT in Smart Medical Imaging. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Collaboration with London South Bank University |
Organisation | London South Bank University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | My contribution included access to lab facilities, intellectual input, and use of research equipment, including high frame rate programmable research ultrasound systems (ULA-OP 256 systems). |
Collaborator Contribution | Contributions made by the partners included expertise in the area of mechanical engineering and bone characterisation. Collaborators performed experimental studies with phantoms and resulted in a conference publication. |
Impact | 10.1109/IUS46767.2020.9251566 10.1109/IUS46767.2020.9251336 10.1109/IUS52206.2021.9593571 10.1109/TUFFC.2019.2943646 |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Collaboration with Maria Thanou |
Organisation | King's College London |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | I am contributing expertise and intellectual input, as well as the use of our imaging equipment and facilities. This includes training and imparting knowledge on microbubble and nanodroplet imaging to her students. They also have access to our lab, equipment, data and training. We have been performing calibration experiments as well as exploratory experiments to characterise their new nanodroplets. Group members have also attended our group meetings to get feedback and advice. |
Collaborator Contribution | Maya and her team have expertise in nanomedicine. They have contributed their expertise and intellectual input, and have been performing experiments in our lab. We have submitted two CDT PhD projects to co-supervise, and equipment funds to buy shared equipment. One of these projects was chosen by a student and will begin Sep 2023. |
Impact | CDT PhD Project Student who will start on the project: 'Nanodroplets for brain tumour imaging and therapy' in Sep 2023. This is a multi-disiplinary project involving biology, chemistry. engineering and physics. It will involve the development of nanodroplets for super-resolution ultrasound imaging. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Collaboration with University of Florence |
Organisation | University of Florence |
Country | Italy |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | I have been using research systems developed by the team at University of Florence to perform my research and have a close working relationship with their team regarding its use within super-resolution ultrasound imaging and publish my work on this topic in collaboration and dialogue with them. Therefore there is exchange of expertise and intellectual input. This year, a student of theirs will visit our lab for 3 months to work on a project with our equipment which has compatibility with their system. This will enable valuable knowledge exchange, and in addition we will train the student in the use of our additional equipment, and the student will be able to train us in the recent developments of their research system. |
Collaborator Contribution | These collaborators have provided us with research equipment, ongoing equipment and software support and guidance, as well as lab visits. They train us with the use of this system and any updates and problems we meet. They are always available to provide product support and developments. This year, a student of theirs will visit our lab for 3 months to work on a project with our equipment which has compatibility with their system. This will enable valuable knowledge exchange, and in addition we will train the student in the use of our additional equipment, and the student will be able to train us in the recent developments of their research system. |
Impact | 10.1109/IUS46767.2020.9251336 10.1109/IUS52206.2021.9593571 10.1109/IUS46767.2020.9251837 10.1109/TUFFC.2019.2943646 10.1109/IUS46767.2020.9251331 |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Collaboration with Wenfeng Xia |
Organisation | King's College London |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We are using my expertise and intellectual input into collaborative work with photoacoustics. This will also involve the training of staff by my team. It has also included access to equipment and lab facilities. |
Collaborator Contribution | We are using Wenfeng's expertise and intellectual input of photoacoustics into collaborative work with super-resolution and microbubbles. This will also involve the training of my team by Wenfeng's team. It may also included access to photoacoustic equipment and lab facilities. |
Impact | This is new research that will be conducted by our teams combining Photoacoustic technology with our team's work on super-resolution/microbubbles |
Start Year | 2023 |
Description | Conference Challenge Organising and Advisory Committee |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Although the challenge has been organised over the past year, the submission has not happened, so the impact is difficult to ascertain as yet. It is intended to spark collaboration, discussion, shared knowledge and shared data and image processing capabilities between the wider participants (which will be in the 100s). These impacts/outcomes have already happened between the members on the organising committee, for example organising this challenge has sparked debate, discussion and collaborative work on how best to formulate this challenge and create and distribute the challenge data, as well as on the wider subject of super-resolution itself. Further impacts and outcomes are expected once the challenge has been completed at the upcoming conference. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://2022.ieee-ius.org/ultra-sr-challenge/ |
Description | Hosting a School Lab visit for 'I Can Be' Charity |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | I Can Be is a charity which pairs up socially disadvantaged school girls with inspiring women in the work place. I hosted a group of 7 and 8 year old girls from disadvantaged backgrounds selected from London schools at my institution (St Thomas's Hospital). I organised activities for them to do related to my work, answered questions about my career, work, role, and took them on a tour. It is hoped that this would inspire young girls from disadvantaged backgrounds into the possibility of careers in STEM subjects. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.icanbe.org.uk/ |
Description | I'm a Scientist, Get me out of here |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | 'I'm a Scientist, Get me out of here' connects school students with scientists working in the profession/research from across the UK. This sparks questions and discussions about what it means to be a scientist, what it is like working as a scientist, and encourages children to think about science professions as an option for their future career. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Institute of Physics Summer Reading Challenge |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | The annual Summer Reading Challenge was held in libraries across Islington. This year's theme, 'Gadgeteers', was designed to spark children's curiosity about the world around them. With resources and activities from the Science Museum, the challenge focuses on inspiring children to see the science and innovation behind everyday objects, showing that reading and science are for everyone. The aim was to read six books over the summer, for a chance to win prizes. All completers will receive a certificate and medal. We also provided science based interactive activities for them to take part in. Parents and children provided great feedback, questions, discussion about careers in science, including some particular interest in pursuing physics in the future. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.iop.org/events/iop-summer-reading-challenge-islington-libraries-0 |
Description | Institute of Physics Summer Superhero Open Days |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | The IOP limitless campaign and Superheroes Unlimited summer exhibition engaged audiences with physics with numerous exhibitions and events. In total, the campaign reached over 2,800 people who were inspired to support and potentially become the science superheroes of the future. Children and adults were excited to take part in interactive activities, discuss potential future roles in science, and promoted lots of discussion about physics and role models/career aspirations. Feedback from children and adults were brilliant. Following the success, there are now future events being organised (e.g. Summer Festival in Bristol), School workshops organised from to being noticed and approached at the events, indication of increased interest in science by the attendees, a request to do a school assembly about a science career, and an internal grant funding for future Public Engagement events at local schools. Testimonial from organiser - 'In the Superheroes Unlimited exhibition, we were delighted to work with Kirsten to reimagine her work at the KCL School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences and create the science superhero UltraSonic. Young people, their families and their teachers were inspired by the character's powers to create special bubbles and control them with unltrasound. The exhibits and accompanying experiments sparked the imagination to think about the role of physics in medicine and its application to the challenges that we all face. At family events - young people were excited to meet our "real life superhero" and the activities she brought with her were a huge hit with visitors young and old alike! Visitors loved using a real-life ultrasound tool to solve puzzles and have a scan to take home as a souvenir. Our campaign, Limit Less, wants to demonstrate the societal impact of physics on the global issues that young people care about so we were thrilled to work with Kirsten to share her work and give young people a positive role model working in such an exciting application of physics." |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.iop.org/explore-physics/superheroes-unlimited |
Description | New Scientist Live |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | More than 25, 000 people attended this event over the weekend, children and adults. They interacted with our activities, got a souvenir to take home with them, and took part in many interesting questions and discussions. The Hospital of the Future stand was voted most popular feature at New Scientist Live and has generated links to and requests from schools and other organisations for further outreach events. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/hospital-of-the-future-voted-most-popular-feature-for-second-consecutive-... |
Description | School Visit (St Mary's of the Angels School, London) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Visited a school to host a workshop with approximately 30 pupils. We demonstrated the power of sound/ultrasound and illustrated bubble oscillations to young children through interactive activities, with the hope to inspire them follow a STEM career. This sparked questions and discussion afterwards, and the school reported continued excitement about the workshop afterwards. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | School Work Experience Visit 2023 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | We hosted 4 work experience students for 1 week from a local London School. We organised tours, interactive activities and workshops for them to engage with our research and learn about potential future career pathways. The students expressed an interest in studying related subjects in the future, and a possible career in this field. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Twitter Outreach during British Science Week |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | I took part in posting #MIStories (medical imaging stories) on Twitter via the School account which involved showing examples of our research and research images in occasion of the British Science Week (6th-15th March 2020 https://www.britishscienceweek.org/) for further public engagement of our work beyond the normal peer group, and enabled engagement via social media (Twitter, LinkedIn). The images may further be used on the School/CDT website, and in printed form for public engagement events in the future. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://twitter.com/KingsImaging/status/1239853988507340801?s=20 |