Amy Hicks
Education and qualifications
EPSRC PhD Candidate in Digital Health and Care, University of Bristol (Oct 2020 – Sept 2024)
After completing a foundational taught year on Digital Health and Care, my research is now being conducted from Bristol Robotics Laboratory within the Soft Robotics Group.
MSc Neuroscience, University College London (UCL) (Sep 2015 – Oct 2016)
Researching within the Neuroinflammation Group, I contributed to fundamental knowledge in underlying biological mechanisms. Supporting this, I achieved excellent grades in systems and circuits neuroscience. Additionally, I was recognised within the journal club for proficiencies in evaluation of study design and facilitating critical discussion.
BSc (1st Class Hons) Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London (Sep 2011 – Jun 2014)
Reflecting my strengths in research and systems level analysis, I was excellently graded for units on cognitive neuroscience, biological substrates of behaviour, research methods and my final research project. In social psychology, I achieved grades within the top percentile of the cohort, reflecting my exceptional aptitude for this domain.
Professional experience
STEM Outreach Lead, Industrial Liaisons Office (University of Bristol) (May 2022 – Jul 2022)
Team leader for delivery of workshops aimed at introducing coding skills to autistic children. The activity, conducted in a specialist school, involved coding a game to customize the player and environment using Python and Arduino. Recognised for expertise in programming and autism, I was promoted to team leader. I ran a session to train other team members in the technical and soft skills required for the workshops and acted as lead facilitator during delivery of workshop sessions
Research Assistant, University of Bristol (Jul 2021 – Jul 2022)
Focused on improving a therapeutic soft robotic device through machine learning in a multidisciplinary project funded by EPSRC-IAA-Brigstow. Assisted in proposal writing and collaborated on enhancing personalisation and usability of the device. Led engineering efforts in sensor integration and portability, and conducted user testing. Introduced intelligent sensing for data-driven adaptation and facilitated real-time intelligent adaptation through Bluetooth integration. Conducted pilot tests, recorded physiological data, and supervised MSc student during data collection.
Associate Data Scientist, Hodge (Feb 2020 – Sep 2020)
Data scientist in banking, fulfilling final placement on graduate scheme in FinTech sector. Selected by this company due to achievements in sales forecasting, highlighted at showcase event. Initial project focussed on building, comparing and optimising sales forecast models. On completion a second larger project was awarded, using innovative methods to develop alternative mortgage prediction payment models.
Graduate Data Scientist, Propel Finance (May 2019 – Jan 2020)
During my role in this placement as trainee data scientist in an SME financer, my first opportunity was to improve sales forecasting models. I incorporated new datasets and facilitated the integration of these products into existing business intelligence streams using Tableau, leveraging tabpy for seamless implementation. Additionally, presented products to a diverse business audience, including C-suite, adapting communication to accommodate varied technical knowledge. Was awarded personal project conducting financial modelling duties, focussed on incorporating stress testing methodologies using self-selected scenario parameters.
Trainee Data Scientist, GoCompare (Oct 2018 – May 2019)
Trainee data science placement learning skills to make use of company data. Focused on developing skills to utilise company data efficiently, gaining experience in handling and cleaning large datasets for analysis purposes. Additionally, I worked with Python packages including scikit and seaborn, employing them to analyse and construct scripts on an exploratory project aimed at extracting value from green energy tariff data newly obtained by the company.
Interim Administrative Associate, i2i Recruitment (Jun 2018 – Oct 2018)
To gain office experience and enhance candidacy for desk-based positions, temporary roles involving office-based support were pursued. These roles encompassed various tasks such as data handling, appointment coordination, presentation preparation, and sales support. I demonstrated a swift adaptation to diverse procedural and IT systems, seamlessly integrating into different team cultures. Additionally, I exhibited excellent time management skills and conscientious planning, efficiently navigating through constantly changing locations across Gloucestershire.
Residential Care Facilitator, Choice Care Group (Aug 2017 – May 2018)
Providing psychological and practical care within a shared living environment for individuals with a variety of support needs stemming from learning disabilities, neurodiversity, and brain injuries, specialised for those exhibiting challenging behaviour. My responsibilities encompassed managing diverse behavioural and psychological needs, tailoring support to individual preferences and providing insightful assistance. Additionally, I optimised care plans and coordinated community outings. I was entrusted with special responsibilities, including managing challenging behaviours and accompanying residents on full-day trips for family visits, demonstrating a commitment to their well-being.
Autism Support Specialist, Private Client (Oct 2016 – Jul 2017)
Provided tailored support and companionship to an individual with autism within the household of a private client. Responsibilities included organizing recreational outings, guiding internal gym sessions, coaching social skills, facilitating volunteering engagements, and aiding in hoarding management, emotional regulation, and the development of socially adept conversational skills. Additionally, I was responsible for drawing up learning and development plans to further enhance the individual’s growth and well-being.
Freelance Creative in Botany and Horticulture, London (Jul 2015 – Oct 2016)
Established a small business specializing in diverse plant-focused projects, leveraging expertise in illustration and design. Offered services encompassing consulting, design, and installation of exterior planting, with a focus on sustainable and ecologically optimised solutions for urban roof gardens. Additionally, provided aesthetically pleasing interior planting schemes, botanical illustration, and graphic design for brand identity and marketing purposes. Also, offered floral design services for events, managing logistics and operations effectively.
Awards, certifications and memberships
- 1st Place in the Functional Fashion Competition, IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (Awarded Oct 2023)
- Student Member, The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) (Jul 2022– Present)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Data Science, Issued by University of South Wales (Awarded Nov 2020)
- Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (MBPsS), The British Psychological Society (Oct 2017 – Present)
Research experience
Personal Space Mediation through Innovative Soft Robotic Wearable
Acting as team leader I managed a multidisciplinary team through design, development and presentation of a soft robotic wearable, winning 1st place in the IEEE Functional Fashion competition at IROS 2023 conference. Subsequently expanding the team, I managed user testing and publication submission, as lead author. Managing this project required skills in leadership, communication, project planning and scoping, problem solving, conflict resolution, critical thinking and task management. My skills in applied aesthetics drove the wearable design with fashion, hard and soft element interface fabrication and textile based making knowledge at the core. For the user study I designed the strategy and protocol, obtained ethical approval, recruited participants, handled data privacy to highest ethical standards, as well as performing data processing and inductive thematic analysis.
A Playful Probe for Companion Robot Participatory Design
With a focus on developing companion robots using soft robotic methods, this project explored whether cultural probe based remote research systems could be effective for participatory robot design. Following a scoping workshop, I worked closely with participants in a pilot study, and with experts in science communication and graphic design, to create a cultural and design probe. From a diverse participant set rich results were obtained providing insights into influences on companion robot acceptability and requirements, along with actionable design principles for interaction and appearance of soft robot companions. The Buddy Book was shown to be a successful tool for remote design collaboration and provides methodological resources for future robot design processes. This project highlights my skills in innovative research methodology for participatory design and responsible innovation.
Investigation of a Minimal Model of Robotic Companionship through Exploration of an Affective Haptic Soft Robot Wearable
Produced a prototype of innovative wearable with haptic capabilities using novel pneumatic techniques. Evaluated therapeutic potential with multicultural users whilst embedded as a visiting researcher at Kyoto University. The device contained breathing and purring simulation alongside interactive capabilities, contained in a soft shell. Developed with easily accessible components and sensors, alongside simple materials, I combined these to create novel human interaction results.
Exploring Axonal Mitochondrial Dynamics
Conducted research into mitochondrial dynamics as they trafficked within axons at an interface zone between the central and peripheral nervous systems, within the Experimental Neuroinflammation Group at UCL. By employing methods in transgenic fluorescent labelling, and acquired skills with in vivo confocal microscopy, live recordings of mitochondrial movements were taken. Innovation in data analysis was required due to image disruption caused by breathing artefacts. This was resolved through a combination of programmed and manual methods, facilitating analytical results confirming mitochondrial population characteristics.
The Influence of Vigilance on Global Perceptual Bias
Within the field of attention science I performed research examining arousal effects on perceptual biases, in support of my undergraduate dissertation. Identifying an opportunity for increased ecological validity I chose to recruit, and test, participants within real world settings. Using contrasting activity types (cognitive vs physical) as experimental manipulations, I was able to show a robust difference between the effects of these streams on perceptual biases.
Professional training
Research methodology
Research Innovation Lab on Ageing in a Digital Age, Goethe University Frankfurt (24th – 28th of Jul 2023)
In a multidisciplinary team took a mixed method approach to explore trust in technology. Resulted in development of a new card game based methodology and innovative, playful future research design ideas.
Creative Methods Play: Disrupt (29th Mar 2023)
Brigstow funded workshop focussing on strategies for co-produced research. Obtained skills in viewing methodologies through a creative lens to apply innovative strategies to research plans.
Brain Computer Interface Inter AI CDT Conference (7th Nov 2022)
Set up a commercial grade mobile electroencephalogram (EEG) device and computer game interface system. Gained an understanding of how to interface brain and machine and develop these methods as research strategy. Networking opportunity with speaker led to the forging of new connections between universities and generated further contacts internally with the neurophysiology department.
Science communication and public engagement
Responsible Communication of Sci & Tech Consultant in Robotics (27th Oct 2022)
Learnt strategies to engage society and communicate research to increase visibility and impact, forge new connections, raise funds, and promote equality, diversity and inclusion.
Active Outreach Widening Participation Team (22nd Jun 2022)
Skills and knowledge for confidence in delivery of outreach and widening participation sessions, particularly for school aged children.
Social Media for Science Digital Health and Care Expert (4th Mar 2022)
Using the power of social media to expand scientific reach and foster professional connections. It emphasized the importance of crafting concise, engaging content tailored to each platform to effectively communicate scientific ideas and engage with a diverse audience.
Preparing and Delivering Effective Podcasts, Media Players International (26th & 27th of Jan 2021)
During the two-day workshop, I honed my interview techniques, delved into storytelling methods, and crafted and presented my own four minute research overview in an entertaining and effective manner.
Entrepreneurship and business
Enterprising Women 3.0, Pre-incubation programme funded by NatWest (Feb 2023 – Jul 2023)
Won a place on a six-month programme providing knowledge, access to experts and networking opportunities for entrepreneurial women. Extensive business training was provided with workshop subjects including financial management and obtaining funding, leadership and team building, market identification, intellectual property and stakeholder management.
Launchpad QTEC, SETsquared (6th – 9th Mar 2023)
Three-day intensive foundation in business management focusing on setting up a business, financial strategy, business model development and pitching skills.
Voluntary roles
STEM Youth Mentor, We The Curious (Sep 2021 – May 2022)
Mentoring underrepresented young researchers conducting a project, in collaboration with the local science museum.
Researcher, Public Engagement Digital Health Week (7th – 15th Aug 2021)
Facilitated showcase and workshop activities, clearly explaining digital health research concepts in a fun, interesting, and easy-to-understand manner.
Environmental Steward, GoodGym (Dec 2020 – present)
Running around doing environment focused labour in the community, such as ecologically friendly planting and pulling rubbish out of the river Avon.
Textile Repairer, Repair Café (Oct 2019 – Mar 2020)
Collaboration with a group of sustainably minded menders, repairing damaged items to rescue them from landfill.
Project Evaluator, Westonbirt Arboretum (Jul 2018 – Sep 2018)
Collecting and processing data from visitors to analyse educational success of arboreal pests and diseases event.
Mindfulness Trainer, Mind (Oct 2016 – Aug 2017)
Delivering mindfulness materials to youths to build awareness of mental wellbeing skills. I learnt to engagingly and appropriately convey sensitive subjects to a large audience of teenagers.
Palliative Care Befriender, St. Mungo’s Broadway (Sep 2014 – Mar 2015)
Providing support to previously homeless at the end of their lives. I learnt how to manage emotionally intense roles by maintaining good support networks in a team.
Ward Volunteer, University College London Hospital (UCLH) (Feb 2012 – Nov 2014)
Provided conversational and errand based services to support the well-being of patients and staff. Additionally, I conducted satisfaction surveys on wards and actively sought out new opportunities and individuals to provide assistance.
Vendor Ambassador, Big Issue (Apr 2011 – Sep 2012)
Attended the magazine desk for supply to vendors and visited them on pitches to provide moral support and maintain relationships between vendors and local businesses.
Competencies
- Proficient: Skilled in SPSS, SAS for statistical analysis, and NVivo for thematic analysis.
- Intermediate: Knowledgeable in Python and R programming languages, experienced in using Pandas, NumPy, and Regex for data manipulation, analysis, and preprocessing, and adept at data visualization with Matplotlib, Seaborn, and Tableau.
- Foundational: Familiar with machine learning and scientific computing tools including Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, SciPy, and MATLAB. Text analysis using NLTK and app development with React Native. Core ability in electronics with Arduino (C/C++).