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Staff Profile

Dr Jennifer Olsen

Lecturer in Mechanical Enginering/ Marin

Background

I am currently a lecturer in Mechanical Engineering, leading "MEC8056: Medical Devices Regulatory Requirements".


My main research themes are:

  • Upper-limb prosthetics, with a focus on safety, design, and sustainable manufacturing
  • Orthopaedic implant failure and wear analysis
  • Innovative assistive devices.


Through my research I have gained experience in mechanical testing, wearer feedback, additive manufacturing and EMG signal processing. I have supervised MSc and undergraduate students within the SoE working on a range of projects in the area of prosthetics, orthotics and assistive technology. I have also supervised a cross-disciplinary vacation medical studentship. I have previously guest lectured at Strathclyde University for undergraduate Prosthetics & Orthotics students. I have a keen interest in STEM outreach, having worked with Newcastle University's SAgE outreach team for seven years prior to commencing my current position.

Teaching

Teaching

MEC8056, Medical Devices Regulatory Requirements (Module Lead)


I have guest lectured on the University of Strathclyde's Prosthetics and Orthotics undergraduate course, teaching additive manufacturing best practices for medical devices. I have seven years of experience in outreach events and STEM teaching at primary, secondary and HE/FE levels.


Supervision

I currently supervise several undergraduate/MSc projects within the field of biomedical engineering. I have previously supervised summer vacation research interns, and currently advise several students from the Faculty of Medical Sciences on their extra-curricular STEM projects.


Research

Research Activity

  • 2019-2023, PhD programme in Electrical and Electronic engineering, Newcastle University - "Towards Modernising Trans-radial Prosthetic Socket Creation With Digital Methods"
  • 2023-2024, EPSRC Doctoral Prize Fellowship. Currently working towards developing safety testing procedures and standards for upper-limb prosthetic sockets.
Publications