2024 MDC Excellence Award Winners

We are delighted to announce the winners of the eleventh annual MDC Excellence Awards 2024. These awards are given in recognition of the outstanding achievements of our postgraduate researchers (PGRs) and their supervisors across a host of different categories.

You can read more about their amazing achievements below.

Best Outstanding Research Contribution - recognising research outputs of the highest quality.

Fatmah Ghuloum (Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health)

During the first year of her PhD Fatmah published a review article in Materials Today Bio, a leading journal in the field (IF: 8.2), meticulously outlining the current advancements and potential future directions in engineering cell-instructive biomaterials for modulation of cell signalling, showcasing her deep understanding and innovative outlook on the subject. Her subsequent research article in Biomaterials Advances (IF: 7.9), another leading journal in the field of tissue engineering, presents her novel interdisciplinary research into the molecular mechanisms underpinning the cell-instructive effect of topographically patterned materials, with the potential to significantly enhance regenerative therapies. She is currently working on her third publication, extending her research to human primary stem cells and translational application.

Mohammad Ahamd Al-Jarrah (Faculty of Science and Engineering)

Mohammad was awarded the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions–International Training Networks. He is currently a Post doctorate Research Associate at the University of Manchester. Mohammad's publication record in esteemed journals and conference proceedings, including IEEE transactions on wireless communications and IEEE IoT journal, underscores his remarkable scholarly excellence and impact in the academic community. Moreover, Mohammad participated in writing successful research proposals with his supervisors. He participated in various activities pertaining to organization of conferences, for instance, Technical Program Committee (TPC) in the IEEE conference on Global Communications, 2023. He is an active member and reviewer for global leading journals such as IEEE Transactions on Communications, IEEE IoT Journal, etc. Furthermore, he served as a grant reviewer for EPSRC-UKRI applications.

Best Contribution to Internationalisation - recognising the PGRs who best encapsulate the spirit of internationalisation at Manchester.

Benjamin Stewart Moore (Faculty of Science and Engineering)

Benjamin Moore completed his Chemistry Master’s with Industrial Experience at the UoM, including a placement at Lonza Speciality Ingredients. His dissertation addressed improving gas separation technologies using novel polymer synthesis under the supervision of Prof. Peter Budd. He started his PhD in Chemical Engineering in the Membranes for Electrochemical and Separation Technologies research group under the supervision of Dr. Maria Perez-Page, as part of the SynHiSel EPSRC Programme Grant and European Project LEGOCHIP. His PhD project is developing a biological sample pre-treatment using 2D material-based membranes for biomedical application. In his first PhD year, he did a research placement at the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Barcelona (Spain) and began a collaboration with the University of Bath, developing new membranes to be integrated with biosensors by the addition of novel 2D materials and setup module development. He has presented his work in multiple membranes SynHiSel Showcases across the UK.

Luman Zhou (Faculty of Humanities)

Luman contributed a lot of her time and energy, and clearly added a significant contribution to internationalisation. She has been adept at serving as a bridge between students from The University of Manchester and other universities to participate in EBM, RIS and UMPA activities, helping them to find a sense of belonging and home. Luman has participated in and organised numerous events (approximately 10) helping international students and professionals originally from overseas (not only from China but a variety of countries, including those from Africa, South-East Asia and Europe) to adapt to the British environment as well as facilitating British people to engage and understand those from international backgrounds throughout her current two-year term.

Best Contribution to PGR Environment - recognising the outstanding achievement or contribution of PGRs towards the enhancement of the research environment.

Phoebe Harding-Walker (Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health)

Phoebe’s advocacy has significantly enhanced the UoM Postgraduate Research (PGR) environment for all PGRs. Her achievements as SHS PGR representative included introducing new PGR forums and diverse feedback channels, amplifying PGR voices in committee meetings, and securing cost-of-living payments for vulnerable PGRs. As Vice-President of the UoM PGR Association, she prioritises PGR experience, implementing a university-wide experience survey and establishing a new complaints policy. In parallel, Phoebe focuses on disability advocacy, organizing inclusive events, participating in awareness initiatives, and contributing to the development of a UoM Autism training module, all drawing on her lived experience as an autistic PGR. Her commitment to improving the PGR experience through principled, intersectional advocacy is evident, promising a continued positive impact in her future career.

Kai Prince (Faculty of Science and Engineering)

Kai is committed to equality of access and engagement for all. Kai’s effective contributions to equality and accessibility include: using his comprehensive knowledge of university support structures to help many other PGR students; improving accessibility in the Library and AGLC buildings through better signage and changes to the My Learning Essentials resource; contributing expertise to a departmental working group on finding a balance between accessibility and engagement; and bringing together different groups working on neurodiversity training for staff.

Kenn Rushworth (Faculty of Humanities)

Kenn has played a pivotal role in ensuring that the PhD community in the Politics Department is a vibrant, welcoming, and successful space. During the uncertainties we all experienced during lockdowns, Kenn was integral in fostering an inclusive, supportive, and upbeat atmosphere for all PhD researchers. Since then, he has maintained this dedication, without pausing for a moment’s acknowledgement. Over three years as a Representative, Kenn has been an ever-present ally, from lobbying successfully on behalf of his peers’ needs, to supporting colleagues when applying for external funding. We will miss him now that he has completed his PhD - he has made our PGR Environment a more interconnected, confident, and developmental place.

Best Contribution to Society (Local Community) - recognising the outstanding achievement/contribution of an individual or group to the social and economic well-being of our communities.

Nicola Lester (Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health)

Dr. Lester's postgraduate research has community engagement at its core, and has led to a career trajectory emphasizing social responsibility. Collaborating with Manchester Museum and Bright Futures Educational Trust, she identified barriers to museum engagement for ethnic minorities and demonstrated how museum-school collaboration may enhance language development in minority ethnic children. Beyond research, Dr. Lester contributed to Imagine Me Stories, addressing underrepresentation of minority ethnic children in children’s literature. Dr. Lester’s clear commitment to community engagement and social responsibility inspired a successful a British Academy Innovation Fellowship proposal; the project will explore the impact of representation in books minoritised children's self-esteem. Overall, Dr. Lester’s postgraduate research reflects her dedication to improving education accessibility for minoritised children both locally and nationally.

Henrik Wong (Faculty of Science and Engineering)

Henrik has shown a deep commitment to serving his local community. He has conducted many outreach events such as visiting his old sixth form to promote life at the University, science discovery day with high school and sixth formers, and promoting science to the local Cantonese Community. He has been an active student ambassador since 2020, dedicating his time and energy to make a difference in the lives of those around him. This commitment to service, coupled with his academic prowess, makes him an ideal candidate for the Best Contribution to Society – Local Community award (1.2.3).

Recently, Henrik participated in an outreach event, the Year 12 Discovery Day, serving as a demonstrator and guide for Year 12 students. He assisted students in choosing the right subjects, sharing insights from his own experiences. Moreover, he spoke about his life at the University of Manchester, highlighting the importance of embracing both the student culture and the professionalism the university fosters. This commitment to sharing knowledge and fostering local community collaborations further exemplifies Henrik's dedication.

Best Contribution to Society (Research Impact) recognising the outstanding contribution of an individual or group to the social and economic well-being of our communities.

Rhiannon Hawkes (Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health)

Rhiannon has worked closely with colleagues at NHS-England to ensure that her research findings are used to improve the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme. Between May and September 2021, Rhiannon worked with NHS-England and Solutions for Public Health to update and improve the behaviour change content stipulated in the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme Service Specification. This led to various policy changes, including:

  • A requirement for provides to include a logic model or clear justification for inclusion of specific behaviour change content in their programmes.
  • A requirement for providers to include comprehensive staff training in how to deliver planned behaviour change content.
  • A requirement for providers to clearly describe how they will support service users with behaviour change techniques, including support with setting, monitoring and reviewing health goals.

Elisabeth Allen (Faculty of Science and Engineering)

Libby Allen is an exceptional PhD Researcher, who actively contributes to society/local environment. Libby presented her microfibre pollution research at the UN Climate Conference in 2021, and developed outreach material for multiple events, including the most recent Green Together event hosted at the Central Library in Manchester in March 2024.

Libby has played an integral part within the newly formed WOVEN network, which was supported by the University of Manchester, University of Melbourne, and University of Toronto funding scheme. She further contributed to the Do Less Campaign, initiated by the US-based NGO 5Gyres. Libby is an outstanding individual, who actively makes a difference, whether this is through her outreach ventures or by being an active member of the research community.

Supervisors of the Year - recognising those PGR supervisors who create the most supportive, stimulating and inspirational research environments.

Dawn Dowding (Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health)

Professor Dawn Dowding has fostered a global, inclusive environment, dismantling barriers for nurses entering research and with students travelling from as far as New Zealand to work with her. Dawn’s students have generated innovative and clinically-meaningful outputs, published in world-leading informatics journals and presented at international conferences. As her students’ progress through their careers, Dawn's mentorship remains constant, instilling confidence and ambition in her students and encouraging them to push boundaries, overcome obstacles, and become leading digital health researchers. From initial meetings to seeing Dawn on-stage during their graduations (usually with a tear in her eye), Dawn’s passion for supervision shines through and it’s impossible not to be inspired by her unwavering dedication for guiding students along their academic journeys.

Vahid Niasar (Faculty of Science and Engineering)

Professor Vahid is an outstanding mentor who has significantly enhanced our team's adaptability and skills through his exceptional leadership and innovative problem-solving approach. Under his leadership, we work in a highly collaborative environment characterized by open communication, inclusivity, and respect. This has enabled us to tackle challenges creatively and resiliently, leading to unparalleled achievements and productivity. His ability to identify and utilize each team member's strengths has been the driving force behind our success. This nomination highlights his profound impact on our professional development and the success of our research group, promoting a culture where innovation thrives. Professor Vahid's mentorship, hard work, and integrity values have made him an exemplary role model.