2 December 2005

Young engineers go to Parliament

Two postgraduate students from the University of Dundee will show off their innovative research work at a reception for some of the UK's brightest young engineers at the House of Commons in London next week.

Katie Went, a student in the Division of Applied Computing and Tanya Waaser, a student in the Division of Civil Engineering, will present posters detailing their research at the SET for Britain Special Reception for Younger Engineers on Tuesday December 6th.

As part of her final year project Katie, who graduated from Dundee earlier this year with a 1st class Honours Degree in Applied Computing and Mathematics, created a prototype of a computerised prescribing system which could be used in hospitals to improve the drug treatment process for patients in Intensive Care.

The system was developed with a clinical advisory team at Ninewells Hospital. Katie is now continuing to develop the system - called E-Kardex - as she studies for her PhD in improving software development for safety critical systems. She is continuing to work closely with NHS Tayside on refining the E-Kardex system.

Katie was awarded the University's prestigious Queen's College Scholarship to fund her postgraduate study.

Tanya's research involves studying methods for stabilising slopes and preventing erosion. This will enable, for example, concrete walls by the side of motorways to be replaced by landscapes featuring plants and trees.

Dr Douglas Naysmith MP hosts the reception at the House of Commons. SET for BRITAIN (Science,Engineering & Technology for Britain) supports, encourages and promotes Britain's younger researchers in SET - a vital asset and investment for the UK.

For more information contact:

Roddy Isles,
Head of Press
Tel: 01382 344910,
out of hours: 07968298585,
Email: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk