School of Computing, Engineering and Intelligent Systems

04/06/2026

🎓 PhD Opportunity: AI & Wearable Technology for Parkinson’s Disease (PD-LIFE Project)

Interested in using AI and wearable technology to improve the lives of people living with Parkinson’s disease?

Ulster University is seeking a PhD researcher to join the pioneering all-island PD-LIFE collaborative programme, dedicated to advancing the understanding, monitoring, and management of Parkinson’s disease.

This fully funded 3-year PhD project will focus on developing AI-powered wearable technologies that can monitor, classify, and predict Parkinson’s symptoms using multimodal sensor data. Working within a multidisciplinary team across multiple universities, you’ll gain valuable experience in artificial intelligence, digital health, and participatory research while contributing to innovative, person-centred healthcare solutions.

✅ Fully funded studentship (£26,585 stipend + tuition fees + research support)
✅ Cutting-edge research in AI, wearable technology, and healthcare
✅ Collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment
✅ Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on future Parkinson’s care

If you have an interest in AI, wearable technologies, and healthcare innovation, we encourage you to apply.

Further details are available at: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/doctoralcollege/find-a-phd/11b-intelligent-systems/1843524

Implementing AI‑Enabled Wearable Technologies for Symptom Prediction in Parkinson’s Disease: A PD‑LIFE Project

02/06/2026

✨ Congratulations Dr Kaniska Samanta ✨

We are delighted to congratulate Kaniska Samanta on the successful defence of his PhD thesis, "Closed-Loop Fatigue Monitoring and Adaptation in Brain-Computer Interfaces for Personalised Neurorehabilitation". 🎓🧠

Kaniska completed his doctoral research under the supervision of Dr Saugat Bhattacharyya, Prof Girijesh Prasad and Prof KongFatt Wong-Lin within the Computational Neuroscience and Neurotechnology Team, making a significant contribution to latent brain state monitoring and personalised brain-computer interfacing. 🧠⚙️✨

We extend our sincere thanks to Dr Emmet McNickle (Queen’s University Belfast) and Dr Nazmul Siddiqui (Ulster University) for their time, expertise and rigour in examining the thesis. 👏📚

We wish Kaniska every success in his future endeavours and look forward to the continued impact of his research on neurorehabilitation and beyond. 🚀

Please join us in congratulating Dr Kaniska Samanta! 🎉🎓

29/05/2026

✨ Congratulations to the winners of our Final Year Project Competition! ✨

We are delighted to celebrate the outstanding achievements, creativity and innovation demonstrated by our Computing and Engineering students.

The Project Excellence competition, sponsored by the Engineers and Scientists in Business Fund (ESBF), showcased exceptional projects featuring technical excellence, real-world impact, innovative problem-solving, and impressive research and development skills.

From AI and software engineering to robotics and engineering design, our students continue to push boundaries and deliver inspiring solutions to real-world challenges.

A huge congratulations to all finalists for their hard work, dedication and professionalism throughout the competition.

The winning students for Engineering were:

🥇 1st: Dylan Mooney
🥈 2nd: Rosie Wildwood
🥉 3rd: Reuben Orr

And for Computing:

🥇 1st: Jack Kyle
🥈 2nd: Nathan Gallagher
🥉 3rd: Chloe McCarter

We would also like to thank our industry judges and colleagues for supporting the event and helping us recognise the next generation of innovators and engineers.

Special thanks to Ivan Smith (Terex), Gary McGuire (Seagate), James Deery (Vertiv), Martin Lynch (Kainos), Kaitlyn Nicell (AE Global), Elln-Louise Legge (Arclin/DuPont), Aaron Donaghey (Alchemy), Myia Boyle (Alchemy), Fergus Begley (UU), Sean McCaul (UU), and Johnny Wallace (UU).

👏 Well done to everyone involved — the future of computing and engineering is bright!

27/05/2026

✨ Congratulations Dr Brendan Lenfesty ✨

We are delighted to congratulate Brendan Lenfesty on the successful defence of his PhD thesis, "Data-driven system identification and neural circuit modelling of perceptual decisions".

Brendan completed his doctoral research under the supervision of Professor KongFatt Wong-Lin and Dr Saugat Bhattacharyya within the Cognitive Neuroscience and Neurotechnology Team. 👏

We extend our sincere thanks to Professor Jiaxiang Zhang and Dr Cian O'Donnell for their time, expertise and rigour in examining the thesis.

Please join us in congratulating Dr Brendan Lenfesty!

26/05/2026

✨ ISRC Research Seminar | Speaker: Dr Ingrid Odermatt, Brain-Computer Interfaces for neurorehabilitation ✨

Dr Ingrid Odermatt (Queen's University, Belfast) delivered an engaging ISRC Research Seminar exploring how motor imagery can support brain–computer interface (BCI) control and neurorehabilitation.

The seminar highlighted how imagined movements can activate sensorimotor brain regions even in the absence of movement or sensory input, with applications ranging from cortical mapping in tetraplegia to home-based neurofeedback interventions for stroke rehabilitation using mobile EEG systems.

Many thanks to Dr Ingrid Odermatt for an insightful seminar and to Dr Cian O’Donnell for organising the event.

14/05/2026

✨Celebrating women in mathematics and STEM at yesterday’s Women in Maths event! ✨

We were delighted to welcome Sumeeta Gupta (Kumon Study Centre Director & Organiser of NI Maths Fest), Lauren McBurney (Computer Science student) and Ava Rijkers (PhD Researcher) for an inspiring afternoon of talks, discussion and networking.

The event featured:

📽️ A documentary on Maryam Mirzakhani
👩‍🔬 Discussions on the importance of women in STEM
💡 Information about the Magee Women in STEM Society and NI Maths Fest
📚 Talks highlighting influential Irish women mathematicians and scientists
☕ Networking over tea, coffee and refreshments

A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to making the event such a success - our speakers, organisers and attendees. The event was jointly organised by the ISRC, the Institute for Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) and the Magee Women in STEM Society.

12/05/2026

✨ Ulster University 2026 Research Excellence Awards ✨

Congratulations to Professor Michaela Black on receiving an Ulster University 2026 Research Excellence Award 🎉

Recognised for her outstanding contribution to research, innovation and collaboration, Professor Black is leading the way in Sustainable, Responsible and Ethical AI through her inspiring mantra: RAISE – Responsible AI iS an Enabler.

Her work spans European healthcare research projects focused on improving health and well-being services for citizens, including advances in diabetes, lung cancer and cognitive health. Alongside this, her passion for collaboration and public involvement continues to shape policy, healthcare interventions and innovation strategies.

She currently leads two major centres: the AI Collaboration Centre (£16.3M across two campuses) and the City Deal Innovation Centre CARL (£11M, Derry/Londonderry), successfully growing staff capacity, stakeholder engagement, innovation opportunities, solutions and research capability to help secure sustainable futures for both.

Such a well-deserved recognition for outstanding leadership, impact and commitment to research excellence 👏

08/05/2026

✨ ISRC Research Seminar | Speaker: Dr Shaun McFadden, Computational Methods in Materials Science and Engineering ✨

Dr Shaun McFadden, Senior Lecturer in the School, delivered an insightful ISRC Research Seminar exploring computational methods in alloy solidification science and crystal formation.

The seminar highlighted how advanced experimental platforms, including the International Space Station, ESA sounding rockets and synchrotron facilities, are being combined with computational modelling and computer vision tools to better understand crystal growth, grain textures and alloy solidification processes.

Many thanks to Dr Shaun McFadden for an engaging seminar and to Dr Cian O’Donnell for organising the event.

06/05/2026

✨ISRC Event – Women in Maths ✨

The ISRC, the Irish Branch of the IMA and the Magee Women in STEM Society are pleased to mark International Women in Mathematics Day with an in‑person event at Ulster University.

On Wednesday 13 May at 1pm, we will host a screening of Secrets of the Surface: The Mathematical Vision of Maryam Mirzakhani, followed by short talks highlighting the work and impact of Irish women mathematicians and scientists.

📍 Ulster University, Derry~Londonderry Campus (Room: MU125)
☕ Refreshments provided | ✅ No booking required

01/05/2026

✨ Artificial Intelligence (AI) Advisory Panel, helping to shape Northern Ireland’s AI future ✨

Well done to Professor Michaela Black on joining the new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Advisory Panel, helping to shape Northern Ireland’s AI future.

The panel, which recently chaired its first meeting under the Department for the Economy NI Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald, brings together experts from industry, academia, and government to provide a coordinated approach to realising the transformative potential of AI across society and the economy.

A significant and well‑deserved recognition of Professor Black’s expertise and leadership in the AI space.

🔗 Read more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eKEAAxde