Blog posts

Connecting with patients and learning from the experts: Inside Imperial’s Medical Ultrasound MSc

“Learning a new skill in the medical field in 12 months sounded ridiculous, but it’s achievable if you put in the work.”

Balancing academic study with networking and even running a university society, we speak to Shahd Najjar about her experience on Imperial’s Medical Ultrasound (Vascular) MSc.

The Medical Ultrasound (Vascular) MSc gives students the opportunity to explore the scientific theories of medical ultrasound, before developing their skills on a placement in a hospital department.

Shahd tells us about what she learned from her time studying the course, and offers advice to prospective students.

Could you tell us a bit about yourself and what brought you to Imperial? 

I am an international student from Saudi Arabia. After finishing my BSc in Neuroscience, I was a bit lost and noticed that my degree lacked practice and actual life skills; I had only gained theoretical knowledge. The MSc course at Imperial was interesting, top-rated and more importantly, gave me hands on experience. 

What inspired you to pursue an MSc in Medical Ultrasound? 

Medical Ultrasound is an amazing for diagnosis and pre-surgical planning. The amount of knowledge that can be acquired through one scan is baffling.  

What have been the most valuable skills or knowledge you’ve gained from the course?  

During my hands on work with the NHS, I had the amazing chance to connect with patients, speak to them and perform scans. 

What is the most important thing you learned from Dr Mohammed Aslam, the course director? 

I observed him work for a full shift, skipping his lunch hours just to make sure patients are not waiting for too long in the waiting room. He makes sure that each scan is thorough, precise, and all the requirements of a scan are met. His work ethic is amazing and should be learned from – no matter how tired he is, he gives 100% to patients and not only that, he is so dedicated to his students.   

Were there any particular modules, projects, or experiences that stood out to you? 

One great thing was attending so many conferences during this degree. Talking to professionals and innovators in the field gave a real taste of the job and helped me in shaping my future career plans. 

How do you see this course influencing your future career or educational path? 

I’ve learned a lot, talked to a lot of people, and connected with NHLI community. I attended a workshop with Dr Barbara Casadei; it was amazing to have the opportunity to speak to her and learn about her plans. 

What have you gained from your time at Imperial, professionally, academically, and personally? 

Learning a new skill in the medical field in 12 months sounded ridiculous, but I have realised that learning something new and developing new skills is achievable if you put in the work. 

Has anything surprised you about the course or your time at Imperial? 

I was surprised to see that a work-life balance was achievable. I never thought I could have a nine-to-five job, but it was not that bad! Studying and working also seemed farfetched, but I travelled to Europe and fun created memories alongside achieving my academic goals. I also led the Saudi Society at Imperial where me and my team held great activities and had a lot of fun doing so. I was very involved in my university experience, as well as doing great academically.

What advice would you give to future students considering this course? 

Have fun, work hard and never be embarrassed to ask for help. Another important point is get involved and make connections – it is a great gateway to opening up y

our mind. 

How did founding the Saudi Society at Imperial shape your experience here? 

When I first went to the welcome week at Imperial, I was amazed to see that the Saudi Society was inactive, especially since the Saudi community at Imperial is large. I re-founded it and took responsibility by hiring and leading a team. It was very stressful; however, it is such an amazing feeling to lead a group, and now I can still see it thriving! 

What does being part of a diverse academic community mean to you? 

It’s truly inspiring to see different age groups, different cultural backgrounds and academic backgrounds. I learned a lot by speaking and connecting with people. The variety of age groups was especially beneficial to me, as I have learned a lot from the older generation. They had great advice and wisdom. 

What’s next for you? Are there any exciting projects or opportunities you’re currently working on or planning to pursue? 

Yes! I’m working on a patent and founding my own health tech company. Working at the NHS, looking at patients and looking at the problems sparked an idea, although I regret not knowing about Imperial’s great programmes which help start-up companies. So, I advise future students to make use of all resources that Imperial has to offer. I’m doing great things and I’m thankful to Imperial and the NHLI for the opportunity to tell more people about my experience and create connections.  

Find out more about our Medical Ultrasound and other MSc courses.

Material deprivation increases the burden of COPD on individuals and the healthcare system

 

 

What does a future with better lung health look like — and what will it take to get there? On World COPD Day, Professor Nick Hopkinson and Dr Keir Philip from the National Heart and Lung Institute explore new evidence that highlights the urgent need for action. COPD is not just a disease of the lungs; it’s a condition deeply rooted in poverty and inequality. From early-life disadvantage to harmful exposures like tobacco smoke, air pollution, and poor housing, deprivation shapes both who develops COPD and how they live with it.

It is well established that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is linked to poverty and inequality[1] . The exposures that cause people to develop the disease – tobacco smoke and air pollution as well as occupational dust, fumes, and chemicals are linked to deprivation. Early life disadvantage – poor nutrition, infections and lack of access to healthcare, also hampers normal lung development, increasing the risk of COPD.

On World COPD Day, we have published the results of research done in collaboration with the charity Asthma + Lung UK demonstrating that material deprivation doesn’t only cause COPD. It also influences what happens to people once they have the condition, and how this in turn increases the burden on individuals and the NHS[2].

In a large national survey of 3,472 adults with COPD, we examined how material deprivation relates to emergency and unplanned healthcare utilisation (EUHU) such as attending A&E. Material deprivation refers to not being able to afford certain basic things in life like energy bills, adequate food, or keep your house warm. Many of these are basic requirements for living well with lung conditions and avoiding acute deteriorations. EUHU are costly for both the patient and the healthcare system, and accident and emergency departments are struggling to cope. In our study we found individuals experiencing material deprivation had a 27% higher odds of more frequent unplanned healthcare use, independent of age, gender and smoking status.

A particularly important finding was the strong association between inadequate home heating and cold or damp housing and increased EUHU. Over one in four participants reported being unable to keep their home adequately warm, and cold or damp living conditions were clearly linked to a higher likelihood of emergency care.

These results further extend findings that poor-quality housing—especially cold and damp environments—is closely linked to unplanned healthcare use in COPD[3]. Such living conditions are known to worsen respiratory symptoms, increase susceptibility to exacerbations, and limit the effectiveness of self-management.

The government was elected with a manifesto commitment to deliver a cross-government health mission. The introduction of Awaab’s Law requiring providers of social housing to address problems quickly is crucial step in the right direction, but it needs to be extended to private landlords as soon as possible, alongside broader redistributive policies to end poverty, in particular child poverty.

The findings of this research reinforce the need for comprehensive policy interventions to improve housing conditions and thus improve lung health, in order to reduce avoidable emergency care, alleviate pressure on the NHS, and improve the lives of the more than one million people living with COPD in the UK.

 

 

1               Williams PJ, Buttery SC, Laverty AA, et al. Lung Disease and Social Justice: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease as a Manifestation of Structural Violence. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 2024; 209:938-946

2               Adesibikan A, Williams PJ, Cumella A, et al. Relationship of material deprivation with emergency or unplanned healthcare utilisation in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: analysis from an Asthma+Lung UK survey. BMJ Open Respir Res 2025; 12

3               Williams PJ, Cumella A, Philip KEJ, et al. Smoking and socioeconomic factors linked to acute exacerbations of COPD: analysis from an Asthma + Lung UK survey. BMJ Open Respiratory Research 2022; 9:e001290

Beyond the Bench: A PhD Student’s Journey

“The intellectual challenge, the varied nature of the work, and mostly the opportunity to discover new things and contribute to advancements that could one day affect people’s lives are really what drew me into research.”

Meet Krish Sanghavi, a PhD student and part of the Snelgrove Lab at Imperial’s National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI), whose journey into research took a turn from an early ambition to study medicine. Inspired by hands-on lab work during his undergraduate and Master’s projects, Krish discovered a passion for scientific discovery and the intellectual challenge of research. Now immersed in the world of immunology and data analysis, he shares insights into the highs, hurdles, and hopes of life as a PhD student. (more…)

One Year On: A New NHS Pathway for Blood Pressure Care

“There is a growing recognition that healthcare needs to move beyond the clinic and into people’s everyday lives.”

It’s currently Know Your Numbers Week, an annual campaign led by Blood Pressure UK to raise awareness of high blood pressure and the importance of regular checks. A year on from his previous blog, How home monitoring is redefining hypertension care, we catch up with Dr Amit Kaura as he shares updates on the ongoing challenge of hypertension, including new developments in NHS care pathways designed to better support patients both digitally and non-digitally. (more…)

Meet the 2024/25 NHLI BSc Prize Winners and Nominees

“This BSc has reshaped how I see myself as a future clinician and researcher. These experiences taught me to navigate ambiguity and think critically – skills that are vital in delivering patient-centred care.”

Students on the iBSc Translational Respiratory Medicine course run by the NHLI

Each year, our Intercalated BSc (iBSc) students at the National Heart & Lung Institute (NHLI) are recognised for their outstanding achievements across our three courses: Remote Medicine, Cardiovascular Sciences, and  Translational Respiratory Medicine.

Here are our 2024/25 award winners and nominees in their own words, reflecting on their journeys, challenges, and the impact of their intercalated year at NHLI.

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From Research to Teaching: Dr Leanne Felkin on Educating and Celebrating MSc Cardiovascular and Respiratory Healthcare Students

“The more rewarding part from all of my career at NHLI is definitely my colleagues. I have never taken for granted what a complete privilege it is to be able to do interesting work with interesting people.”

Dr Leanne Felkin is the Senior Teaching Fellow for the MSc Cardiovascular and Respiratory Healthcare. A researcher turned educator, she shares her journey of transforming scientific expertise and a passion for teaching into a mission to nurture the next generation of cardiovascular and respiratory healthcare professionals.

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Growing Through Research: How Personal Story Fuels Research Passion

“NHLI and Imperial in general, feels like a place where, if you’ve got a question, someone will help you find the answer, and often from a perspective you hadn’t considered.”

Yiling Guo is currently pursuing PhD study at the National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI). Let’s hear about how her personal experiences inspired and shaped her passion for research.

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