Vitae 3MT® 2025

Miranda (QIANYU) Wang, Durham University – 2025 finalist

Miranda Qianyu Wang, LLB (Hons), MPhil, is a PhD researcher at Durham Law School, specialising in the interdisciplinary fields of neurolaw and neuroethics. Miranda’s research examines the legal and ethical implications of neuroscientific evidence within the criminal justice system. By exploring the intersection of law, neuroscience, and criminal behaviour, she provides insightful comparative analyses on how justice systems might better integrate neuroscientific findings. Additionally, her work examines the critical discussions on fundamental rights, addressing the ethical and legal challenges that neuroscientific evidence poses to individual rights.

Mariam Hammoud, Queen Mary University of London – 2025 semi-finalist

Abubakar Yunusa, Robert Gordon University – 2025 finalist 

Abubakar Yunusa is a PhD researcher at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, specialising in hydrogen injection and mixing optimisation in natural gas pipelines. His research integrates computational fluid dynamics (CFD), coefficient of variation (COV) metrics, and machine learning to enhance hydrogen conformance, supporting safer and more efficient transitions to low-carbon energy systems. With nearly a decade of experience in process and flow assurance engineering, Abubakar bridges technical expertise with real-world challenges in the energy transition. He was recently named the winner of RGU’s 3MT competition and is proud to represent the university at the national stage of the Vitae 3MT® 2025 competition.

Sofia Ferreira, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – 2025 semi-finalist

Anna Voytyukova, Swansea University – 2025 semi-finalist

I am an Engineering Doctorate student at Swansea University, researching sustainable methods to recycle paint from pre-painted metal, a polymer material that surrounds us everywhere from facades to kitchen appliances, but has never been recycled before. With a BEng in chemical engineering and an MSc in nanotechnology, along with hands-on experience with real-world recycling challenges, I am passionate about finding a feasible solution for my research problem. As an international student and non-native speaker, I want to show that language is no barrier when you are dedicated to what you love and believe in.

Caitlin Campbell, Ulster University – 2025 finalist

Caitlín is a clinically active optometrist and PhD researcher from Ulster University, passionate about preventing avoidable vision loss and supporting those with visual impairment. Her PhD focuses on developing methods to better detect vision changes in the eye disease glaucoma, the leading cause of permanent blindness worldwide. Her research specifically addresses the diagnostic challenge of detecting glaucoma in short-sighted (myopic) eyes, where standard clinical tests often fail. Through the development of a new vision test, her work aims to enable earlier detection of glaucoma-related vision loss, accelerate access to treatment, and preserve vision.

Yuxuan Wu, University of Birmingham – 2025 finalist

Yuxuan is a PhD candidate in Management at Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham. As a researcher, Yuxuan has a general interest in the intersection of New Technologies and Work and Employment. Her research is typically phenomenon-driven and is pragmatic in theory choice. Her PhD research focuses on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the future of work in the professions, based on the exploration of cases where AI is applied in the medical imaging domain in the NHS settings. Beyond research, Yuxuan enjoys different genres of music as a vocalist, watches movies, musicals, plays, and stand-up comedies, and is recently into playing tennis.

Dhanushka Hewaralalage, University of Central Lancashire – 2025 semi-finalist

I am a final-year PhD candidate at the School of Engineering, University of Central Lancashire, specializing in space mechanisms and lubricants. My doctoral research is centered on Spacetribology for small spacecraft missions, where I am investigating the degradation of lubricants . A key component of my work involves designing a small satellite for in-orbit testing of these materials. My research builds upon a Master of Philosophy degree (2021), a B.Sc. (2014), and nine years of prior experience in vacuum engineering and astronomy instruments.

Vic Pickup, University of Reading – 2025 finalist

Vic Pickup is the author of three poetry books: Lost & Found (Hedgehog Press, 2020), What Colour is My Brain? (co-written with Jules Whiting, Hedgehog Press 2022) and The Omniscient Tooth Fairy (Indigo Dreams, 2023). She has also edited Reading Poets: A New Anthology from Two Rivers Press (2024). A long-time lover of romance novels, Vic is currently entering her fourth year as a postgraduate researcher at the University of Reading, working in the Mills & Boon archives held in the institute’s Special Collections. She is the co-organiser of Poets’ Café Reading and Reading Stanza group, both of which are affiliated with The Poetry Society. www.vicpickup.com.

Lucy Hodgins, University of Southampton – 2025 semi-finalist

Lucy is a second-year PhD student developing control algorithms to help stroke patients regain movement in the hand and wrist. She also hosts the podcast Coffee and Control, where she interviews researchers in her field about their work. Passionate about science communication, Lucy has performed science-based comedy in Southampton, London, and at the Brighton Fringe Festival.

Cesar Portillo, University of West London – 2025 finalist

Cesar Portillo is a sound engineer and PhD candidate specialising in immersive audio and accessibility for visually impaired audiences. His practice-led research investigates how spatial sound and haptic feedback can transform virtual environments into inclusive narrative spaces. He has worked on award-winning games and cinematic experiences with major studios, including Warner Bros. and Pinewood Studios, and was a finalist in the Santander X 2022 competition for his innovative approaches to VR accessibility. Cesar’s collaborations span global platforms—most notably with Dust, where he produced How to Be Human, their first accessible production, reaching over two million viewers. From the Audio Engineering Society in Italy to Nanjing Tech Week in China, he continues to advocate for experimental, multisensory accessibility in the creative industries.

Laima Tokhi, University of Westminster – 2025 semi-finalist

Laima Tokhi is a first-year PhD student at the University of Westminster with a passion for uncovering the mysteries of ion channels and their role in cellular physiology. Her research focuses on targeting Kv1.5, a voltage-gated potassium channel for the treatment in Atrial Fibrillation. Using whole-cell patch clamping, Laima investigates the biophysical properties and pharmacological modulation of Kv1.5 to better understand how its dysfunction contributes to arrhythmias. Through her work, she hopes to advance knowledge that could inform future therapies for cardiovascular diseases. Laima’s research bridges electrophysiology and pharmacology to explore how ion channel biology impacts human health.