About
Who Am I?
I’m Jatinder Dhaliwal, a graduate from Queen Mary University of London with a MEng in Biomedical Engineering. Over my academic career, I have had the opportunity to learn and develop myself in both research and industry, which has allowed me to understand my passions and continues to shape my path for the future.
My background involves biological research, engineering design and manufacture, and computational programming. Biomedical Engineering embodies interdisciplinarity, and provides opportunities to work with people from many different backgrounds. As a result, I have completed a variety of projects and developed strong communication skills with peers and professionals, and hope to continue working with people from all around the world.
What Drives Me?
How can we integrate engineering and computational technologies into research to interpret complex biological systems? I aim to answer this question in each project I take part in. I am very interested in technology like wearable sensors, medical imaging, and AI, because I believe they can improve the way we perform research. The complex data obtained from experiments can be difficult to organise and interpret, which creates a need for more efficiency and improving analysis methods. Through my future career, I want to contribute to this by combining my knowledge of human biology with my skills in engineering and programming, and using those to develop innovative research methods.
My Academic Journey
The first year of my Biomedical Engineering degree was focused on building engineering-specific skills, including mathematics, programming languages such as Python and MATLAB, using computer-aided design (CAD) software like SOLIDWORKS and Creo, and understanding materials engineering concepts. Some modules included elements of laboratory work, where I learnt fluorescent microscopy, micropipetting, and many other lab techniques. Many projects I completed were introductory but paved a strong foundation for the following years.
In my second year, I began to use the engineering techniques from the first year in a biomedical context. A project I really enjoyed was looking at the bioelectricity of movement, where I performed electromyography (EMG) scans to analyse electrical activity in muscles during exercise and at rest, and compared the results to patients with neuromuscular disease. I also studied the use of materials in biomedical applications, including dental implants, total hip replacements, and biodegradable polymers for drug delivery systems. Overall, this year provided an understanding of how to develop transferrable skills which apply to many topics.
In the summer after my second year, I had a fantastic opportunity of visiting Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore. While I was there, I took part in a one-month summer exchange programme, studying the principles and applications of Bioprinting. I was introduced to various tissue engineering applications, organ-on-chip technologies, and also got to see bioprinting in practice. This course encouraged me to research tissue engineering further, and showed me the potential of healthcare technology.
The third year of my degree introduced a year-long, integrated design project. The title that stood out to me was “Precise Nutrient Delivery for a Tissue Engineering Bioreactor”, with Professor Karin Hing as my supervisor. Having studied about bioreactors in Singapore, I had a good base of knowledge, and decided to test myself in this project with a design-based role. Outside of the project, I studied the biomechanics of cells and tissues, regenerative medicine, and simulation tools including finite element analysis (FEA) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD).
In my fourth and final year, I chose an industry/research project, where I worked in a team of engineers to create a mobile application for skin cancer classification. I contributed to the back-end of the application by curating a high-quality image dataset of skin lesions, and developed a deep learning algorithm to classify lesions. Some other projects I completed were – evaluating the effectiveness of amperometric and impedimetric sensors for cardiac troponin detection, designing and 3D printing a biomimetic mouthpiece attachment for asthma inhalers, and analysing the regulatory pathways for an AI-powered tool for cardiovascular disease.
Outside The Degree
Alongside my studies, I have taken part in a variety of different activities and hobbies, allowing me to maintain a balanced lifestyle. As a 2nd Dan Black Belt in Kyokushin Karate, I have the responsibility to share my knowledge and motivate others, which has improved my communication and leadership skills. It has also encouraged me to take care of my body by cooking and going to the gym regularly, creating a routine that is enjoyable and productive.
Karate has helped me develop a grounded view on the world, in that we are defined by the small actions we perform every day, and the end results are simply a byproduct of those actions. As I continue to see progress in my martial arts journey, this philosophy guides all aspects of my life.
During university, I had many opportunities to travel around the world. One of the most memorable was my trip to Asia, where I spent one month in Singapore, followed by Japan and South Korea, travelling independently for the first time. It was an incredible experience, as I was able to immerse myself in different cultures, meet people from many backgrounds, and develop a greater appreciation of the world around me.
Although I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, it also provided a huge opportunity for growth, because I was in full control of my time. As someone with an ambitious mindset, I wanted to make the most of every day and try to do as much as possible, which resulted in a rewarding trip, but left little room to freely explore. Since then, I have learnt to slow down, be present, and embrace unexpected moments, as those are often the most special.
Finally, I have part-time tutored GCSE and A-Level students for over one year. Tutoring has shown me the difference between understanding a concept and teaching others the same concept. Each of my students had different capabilities and preferred ways of learning, so I had to adapt each session and learn new methods to explain the same ideas to multiple students.
This experience has translated very well into my professional life, as I am able to speak clearly to those who are less experienced, while still being able to understand people with a similar level of expertise.
Moving Forward
Looking ahead, I am excited to explore how I can create a meaningful impact on research and healthcare. Having had the opportunity to learn across multiple disciplines, I want to keep an open-minded attitude towards my career path, and develop as a researcher and problem-solver.
I look forward to any opportunities that allow me to collaborate with others and share ideas to solve scientific problems. I am confident that my experiences will provide a good trajectory for the future, and help me embrace new challenges.
