Thesis title: Evaluating the Potential of Personal Cooling Bed Systems for Sleep Thermal Comfort and Sleep Quality in Overheated Bedrooms
Tell us about your work and time with the ERBE CDT
From the very beginning, I was fortunate to have an excellent supervisory team who supported me throughout my PhD journey. The CDT provided the resources and guidance that enabled me to carry out human-participant experiments, collect real-world data, and present my findings at international conferences. Beyond research, I had the opportunity to serve as Student Representative on the ERBE CDT Advisory Board and as Chair of the Doctoral Researcher Experience Board at Loughborough University. One of the most rewarding aspects of my time with ERBE CDT was the chance to connect with fellow researchers, academics, and industry professionals from a wide range of institutions.
What was your PhD about?
My research evaluated the effectiveness of low-energy personal cooling bed systems as a targeted intervention to improve sleep thermal comfort and sleep quality in overheated bedrooms. I also explored how the indoor thermal environment influences sleep quality during the summer months.
What were the highlights of your PhD/ERBE?
Being part of ERBE CDT was an incredible opportunity, particularly as an international student. It provided a strong platform to develop my research, interpersonal, and professional skills, and prepared me for the next stage of my career. The interdisciplinary, collaborative environment, combined with the financial and academic support and extensive networking opportunities across partner institutions, played a vital role in shaping my PhD journey.
What are you doing now/what’s next?
I am currently taking a short break after completing my PhD. In October, I will be joining the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) in London as Domestic Sector Technical Manager. In this role, I will lead the organisation’s Domestic Agenda, focusing on key initiatives that shape the future of domestic building services and energy efficiency.
