Designing with Purpose: NCAD MDD Thesis Supervision

This summer, I had the privilege of supervising thesis projects for the MSc Medical Device Design programme at NCAD. These projects, rooted in live industry briefs, offered students a unique opportunity to bridge academic research with real-world development, an experience I was proud to help shape and guide.

My role involved supporting students throughout the lifecycle of their thesis, from early research and concept development, through iterative prototyping and validation, to final specification and professional presentation. I drew on both my industry background and academic experience to help students make strategic decisions, communicate their design rationale, and meet the rigorous standards required for medical device innovation.

One of the standout aspects of this work was the live industry engagement. Students tackled real healthcare challenges presented by medical device companies, and in doing so, they were exposed to the same pressures and expectations that define professional practice, user-centred design, regulatory awareness, functional prototyping, and stakeholder communication.

Supervising this kind of work is a unique blend of mentorship and collaboration. It’s about helping students see both the detail and the bigger picture, guiding them to ask better questions, test their assumptions, and deliver concepts that not only work, but matter.

As the field of medical device design continues to evolve, it’s clear that education rooted in real-world engagement is more important than ever. I’m proud to have played a part in that process this summer at NCAD.

Class of 2024-2025:

Lochlann O Regan

Aoife Gallagher

Klara Rasmussen

Cianan O'hAnluain

Sarah Foley

Jack Kellett

Jenifer Williams

Ganapathy Gopal

Fatimah Abdullahi Wan

Aoife Gallivan

Maria Poch Esteve

Alexa Broen

Mid Point Discussion - High & Low Points