“Our researchers have innovative ideas many of which can have applications outside their lab. However, the transition of lab research to real life application is a journey that needs time, resources and multidisciplinary expertise. This is the domain of my work, where I build strategies and work with diverse teams with an aspiration to make this journey successful. It helps a lot that at OnePlanet, working on real life applications of scientific research has been the goal from the very beginning.
'To make an impact in a competitive world, we are stronger when we work together’
Neha Awasthi, project leader/domain expert in biosensors, is creating partnerships between Radboud scientists and OnePlanet Research Center on emerging sensor technology applications in human health and environment. OnePlanet is a partnership of uu77, Radboudumc, Wageningen University & Research and nanotechnology research and development centre imec that, supported by the Province of Gelderland, is working towards innovative solutions for healthy life, environment and food.
One Planet Research has four themes: health, environmental monitoring, agriculture and food processing. Several Radboud researchers are active within these themes. For example, there is a large project, MOCIA, that deals with how nutrition and behavior can affect cognitive decline. In another project, Radboud team of scientists are investigating the biodiversity of healthy soil. Another nice example is the smart pill, a capsule with sensors to measure biomarkers in gut. The technology was developed by imec within OnePlanet with the application expertise of Radboud and Wageningen University. It will soon be tested on patients within uu77 Medical Centre. Together with Radboud researchers, I am involved in further developing the ingestible pill with new sensors to monitor the activity of human microbiome.
My role involves listening to new ideas, critical thinking and impact evaluation, then identifying opportunities for collaboration and creating a common vision to move the idea forward. Interestingly, it takes trust and teamwork for such a collaboration to begin and stay going. I stay at the core of this process contributing with insights and troubleshooting when needed. I studied Physics and have an interdisciplinary scientific background. This helps me better understand the applications of sensor and digital technology within OnePlanet and also make scientific contributions on a relevant topic when needed.
uu77 wants to make social impact. By being active in OnePlanet, we bring expertise together and actually make that impact. I am proud and happy to play a role to fulfill this vision of our university.”
Contact information
If you, as a researcher or student, would also like to contribute to the mission of OnePlanet and uu77: a healthy world for everyone, please contact Neha Awasthi.
- Contactpersoon
- Dr N. Awasthi (Neha)
