皇家华人

Dr Jinke Chang (UCL Medical Sciences) used UCL Global Engagement Funds to partner with experts in China, to explore cheaper and more effective interventions to help people with hearing loss.

Hearing loss is a leading cause of disability, affecting more than 500 million people worldwide. Although technology is capable of delivering effective diagnosis and treatment for patients, more than 80% of those who urgently need treatment do not receive it. This is due to expensive treatment options, a lack of equipment, and a shortage of experienced clinicians. In addition, the great majority of patients with hearing loss live in low- or middle- income regions, and have little or no access to hearing healthcare at all.

In response to this, Dr Jinke Chang wanted to partner with academics at Xi'an Jiaotong University (XJTU) in China. Both UCL and XJTU have research interests in using advanced manufacturing technologies for healthcare applications, and a shared ethos of promoting equality and reducing disparities among economically vulnerable groups. After they were awarded the UCL Global Engagement Funds, teams from both universities were able to collaborate to push forward knowledge and research in this area.

Knowledge exchange to understand synergies

鈥淢any of the problems in hearing loss diagnosis can be tackled by using AI tools trained with clinical datasets,鈥� Jinke explained. 鈥淭ogether with new technologies in 3D printing and biofabrication, we can deliver more customised and wearable medical devices that are better and cheaper than traditional ones, which also helps patients from vulnerable groups.鈥�

The collaboration commenced with Jinke and colleagues from the UCL Division of Surgery and Interventional Science visiting XJTU in Xi鈥檃n, China. XJTU has leading laboratories for biofabrication, manufacturing system engineering and additive manufactured medical devices, and the UCL team was able to see the work happening at these facilities. The teams had numerous discussions about their areas of expertise and possible joint areas of working. In particular, they focused on how low-cost diagnosis and treatment could help patients with hearing loss. They also explored ways to transfer new technology, such as 3D printing, wearable medical electronics and AI, into real-world application.

During the visit, the teams hosted a joint symposium, which helped to identify shared research interests in hearing interventions, tracheal implants, vascular implants, and bone
reconstructions. A faculty member from XJTU subsequently visited the UCL team in London, resulting in another joint symposium focused on surgical reconstruction at the Royal Free Hospital. Discussions during this visit explored opportunities for scholarly exchanges between the two institutions. This discussion of joint research interests from this visit resulted in a colleague from XJTU being awarded funding from the China Scholarship Council (CSC), to collaborate with a faculty professor from the UCL Division of Surgery and Interventional Science.

Future collaborations

鈥淭his project sparked new collaborations between two leading universities,鈥� said Jinke. 鈥淲e united top researchers from medical science and advanced manufacturing to address urgent medical needs. Together we developed new research and entrepreneurship ideas to address the grand challenges of hearing loss devices, created new educational opportunities through the visits, and at the same time, raised the profile of UCL鈥檚 global activities.鈥�

As a result of this project, the academics have had a policy study on rare diseases in China published in an international journal. They have also submitted another research paper reflecting practical collaborations in the field of bioelectronics. The collaboration gave them important opportunities to attend conferences and engage with industrial partners to share information about their work. Additionally, the two teams have secured a CSC exchange grant that will support the exchange of 10 scholars for international collaborations and more extensive collaborative research. As a result of this project, the collaborators are planning to submit a proposal for the Royal Society Newton Fellowship this year, to initiate more joint research in the near future.

鈥淭he UCL Global Engagement Funds helped me operate more independently as an early career researcher,鈥� Jinke said. 鈥淚t's not just the financial support; there's much more to it. Developing professional skills, communication skills, and partnership management, among other things. It has also opened doors to valuable international collaborations that continue to benefit my research and career. I feel really proud of what we are doing, and hopefully we can deliver more exciting research in the near future.鈥�

Links:

• 听 听
• 听 听
• 听 听听
• 听 听UCL Faculty of Medical Sciences
• 听听UCL in East Asia
• 听 听UCL and China
• 听 听Find out more about funding opportunities offered by UCL Global Engagement

Featured image:

The photo features Dr听Jinke Chang at the British Society of Audiology conference, presenting research outcomes on the latest hearing devices and engaging with representatives from an industrial audiology testing company.