North West HealthTec Cluster lead elected president of the European Low Gravity Research Association

21 Oct 2021 01:36 PM

Congratulations to Dr Phil Carvil on news of his election as President of the European Low Gravity Research Association.

Dr Carvil leads the development of the North West HealthTec Cluster and is co-leading the proposed development of a North West Space Cluster. His role to develop these initiatives is funded through a joint partnership between the Science and Technology Facilities Council and the Innovation Agency.

Dr Carvil recently said:

“I remember attending my first scientific symposium by ELGRA in 2015 (in Corfu) as a student, presenting the PhD research I was undertaking at King's College London which was evaluating a proposed countermeasure for astronauts to wear in space. At the time I was excited to see the breadth of research and innovation aligned to the space sector and gravity-related research and wanted to be part of shaping and developing this area.

“It has been a pleasure to work with and meet so many engaged individuals and organisations, from researchers and students to industry and policy makers and I can’t wait to see what the next few years bring and the opportunities we can co-create.”

The cluster model aims to bring local, region and national organisations related to a specific sector together to support a shared vision of enhancing collaboration, connection and opportunites for research and innovation. The HealthTec Cluster was launched in 2019 and brings together nearly 50 stakeholder organisations, from our local universities and regional health partnerships to national funders and has supported wide collaborations. Recent examples of where sectors such as space research has influenced and supported health and life sciences innovation include improved connectivity for remote monitoring to telemedicine.