SensUs Interviews:
Amy Yewdall

Hereby we proudly announce our Master of Ceremonies of SensUs 2018! Amy Yewdall is a young, talented and enthusiastic postdoctoral researcher at the Technical University of Eindhoven. To introduce her to you, we spoke with her about her role in SensUs 2018, biosensors and the SensUs concept.

1. Can you tell us something about yourself?

My name is Amy Yewdall and I hail from New Zealand. I am working here at the TU/e, as a postdoctoral researcher with the aim of creating ‘artificial cells’ by harnessing biological and synthetic materials to mimic certain aspects of life. My research provides not only insights into the mechanisms that drive biologically-relevant processes, but also, a platform for the creation of new technologies.

Outside of science, I enjoy an active lifestyle involving hiking, cycling and playing Ultimate Frisbee to balance out my primary passion of eating delicious food.

2. What is your opinion about biosensors?

Biosensors give people the power to answer simple questions about their health without the need for lab tests. This affords people the control and privacy over their own healthcare, and can also connect them to the science behind it. My diabetic or expecting friends have all used some form of biosensor to assess their health. So as a scientist, it is satisfying to see research having an obvious useful impact on society!

3. What is your vision about the future of healthcare and biosensors?

As healthcare becomes more personalised and specialised, biosensors can fill the niche of providing technologies that answer healthcare questions in a rapid and easy way. Making these devices accessible to underprivileged communities, with innovation being developed in parallel with affordability, can revolutionise global healthcare. I suppose it would be great to see biosensors play a larger role in making healthcare accessible to everyone.

4. How are you involved in SensUs?

I am excited to represent you as Master of Ceremonies for the event! Entertaining crowds with some Kiwi-flavour is something I have always relished. I especially look forwards to meeting the students and scientists behind the innovations, and am happy to be part of connecting biosensors to the public sphere.

5. What is your opinion about SensUs and how do you envision its future?

I admire the SensUs concept, especially how it is student driven and for students. You are the future of research and getting students engaged from the bottom-up is a really promising leap for such technologies! This sort of event helps everyone better communicate science and collaborate on new ideas with each other. With the SensUs competition growing each year, it would be fantastic to see teams from even further abroad, such as from New Zealand, participate as well.