Bionics Institiute PhD candidate, Ajmal Azees, has been awarded a prestigious MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholarship.
Supported by the MedTech Actuator and the Menzies Foundation, 10 high potential PhD researchers are awarded a MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholarship annually to support their academic development.
“I applied for the MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholarship because it presents a unique opportunity at the intersection of science, research, and entrepreneurship,” said Ajmal.
“I believe that by immersing myself in this ecosystem of innovation, I can contribute not only to the advancement of medical technology but also learn how to effectively bring these innovations to market.”
Ajmal is currently under the supervision of Associate Professor Rachael Richardson and is investigating how a hybrid approach of light and electricity can enhance neural stimulation, which can lead to better outcomes in hearing, eye and pain research at the Bionics Institute.
“The MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholarship will profoundly impact my development and my contributions to the Bionics Institute,” he explained.
“By acquiring entrepreneurial skills and learning how to bridge the gap between research and commercialisation, I will be better equipped to translate our research findings into practical solutions that can benefit patients and society.”
Ajmal has displayed prodigious research talent during his PhD candidacy and won the RMIT Round of the Three Minute Thesis.
The Bionics Institute has a proud history of developing exceptional PhD students, and Ajmal is the second Bionics Institute student in consecutive years to be awarded a MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholarship, following Ishara Paranawithana in 2022.
