Dr Andre Attard

In the role of an SRO, invaluable research management experience was gained through the management of 14 overlapping research projects undertaken within the Institute of Engineering and Transport (IET). Furthermore, during this term, responsibility of Project Coordinator in a €300k ERASMUS+ KA2 research project with 8 European partners and the active participation in 5 locally funded research projects provided exposure to the complex mechanics behind a wide variety of prominent funding modalities and the respective engineering research projects and international networks.

Acting as the operational arm of the Director of Research, I was the focal point for applied research within the Institute of Engineering and Transport (IET).

• Built institution's research portfolio in accordance with long-term strategic plan.
• Established strategic goals for broad-scale research through acquisition of appropriate funding and program support.
• Worked in conjunction with director to plan for and assess college progress towards research excellence.
• Supported the IET’s Institute Research Committee as an executive member to help build a culture that is conducive to that of an active research mindset.
• Promoting research endeavours within the IET to attract new researchers and grow established research teams. The number of IET researchers during my remit was doubled, while 5 new IET research themes were established (for a total of 8) during my tenure.
• Supported pre-award research teams with proposal writing guidance and review for grant applications to provide comprehensive funding for prospective research projects. 12 projects were submitted during my remit, of which 7 were awarded (1 pending outcome) - a 58% success rate.
• Concurrently supported 14 post-award research teams in achieving their research funding targets. Determined and managed schedules and budgets for each project, while ensuring that financial and operational metrics are being adhered to.
• Active member of the MCAST Research Ethics Committee, representing the IET.
• In-house expert and point-of-reference for European and local funds.
• Developing and maintaining tailor-made databases to carry out monthly reporting on the research endeavours within IET.
• Actively supporting the management and administration of the Master by Research (MRes) course.

Led and managed projects within Baxter’s change control management (CCM) process, from initiation through closure. The role focused on sustaining medical delivery product portfolios by adapting them to supplier changes, quality and value improvements, and manufacturing improvements. This position entailed the preparation of impact assessments, developing change plans, writing and executing robust engineering studies and developing detailed project schedules in line with corporate procedures and policy.

Department: Mechanical Engineering

Taught Modules: Biomechanics (MEC4001) & Statics (MEC1101)

Actively involved in all areas of academia. Engaging and challenging students to realize their full potential and develop the skills they learned throughout their undergraduate course. Module management duties consisted of:

• Re-designing and management of taught modules.
• Development of lectures and teaching material along with practical lab sessions and tutorials.
• Designing of inter-linked assignments focusing on hands-on experience in biomechanics related work.
• Assessment of students’ work and progress throughout the semester.
• Acting as a personal tutor to all students via one-on-one sessions.
• Correcting and marking student assignments and presentations.

Department: Biomedical Engineering

Taught modules:

• 2nd Year B.Eng. (Hons) module - Engineering Mechanics tutoring: Teaching students to analyze static and dynamic rigid body problems. The module also aimed to provide structural analysis and elementary stress analysis and introductory fluid mechanics knowledge, as appropriate for biomedical engineering. This included the exam paper and assignment corrections.
• 3rd Year B.Eng (Hons.) module – Practical Biomechanics: Teaching students about the mechanical principles that can be applied to human structure and function, allowing analysis of human movement and the musculoskeletal system. Basic mechanics (statics, kinematics and dynamics) were taught in two dimensions. The biomechanics of human gait walking and running were introduced both in theory and practice. Practical case studies were analytically analyzed with students to support them in grasping the concepts of normal gait dynamics, muscle function, work and power.
• 3rd Year B.Eng (Hons.) module - Biomechanics of Human Movement tutoring: Teaching students to develop knowledge, understanding and practical experience of kinematic and kinetic analysis of human movement, including supporting them during group practical assignments and correcting said assignments.
• M.Sc. module - Numerical Modelling in Biomedical Engineering tutoring: Practical teaching in the use of numerical modelling tools, in particular Matlab, in a Biomedical Engineering context. Case studies that require the use of numerical modelling were presented from the departmental research portfolio. These case studies were explained in detail, together with teaching new methodologies to answer specific research questions.

The main duties and responsibilities were focused around sustaining product portfolios of pharmaceutical medical delivery systems (including but not limited to intravenous sets), solution and administration sets, premixed drugs and drug-reconstitution systems, IV nutrition products, infusion pumps and renal home dialysis systems.

• Conducted engineering and detailed experimental tests to collect design data and assist in relevant research endeavors.
• Performed validation and testing of medical delivery systems and components to support development of product portfolios.
• Performed simple calculations according to procedures and maintained accurate records.
• Generated engineering and technical documentation to facilitate product development collaboration.
• Analyzed and calibrated equipment, established conditions and prepared reports.
• Processed and evaluated the introduction of new materials to determine changes in mechanical and physical properties of medical device components.