Overview

Ryan is developing the stakeholder involvement strategy for the Raman Nanotheranostics (RaNT) research programme at the University of Exeter.

He works with people that have experience of living with cancer, clinicians, and other healthcare professionals, incorporating their vast and varied experiences of the UK’s cancer care pathway into the design and implementation of this evolving clinical technique.

He also engages with members of the public who might have no experience of a cancer diagnosis, but who’s perspectives as the potential patients of tomorrow, will play an important role in the successful roll-out of this ground-breaking clinical procedure.

What is RaNT?

Raman Nanotheranostics (RaNT) is a £5.7 million project developing a new technique which aims to detect and treat cancers – even those deep inside the body – non-invasively, using tiny, specially designed gold particles and infra-red laser light.

This interdisciplinary, multi-institutional research programme is funded by the EPSRC. The team is led by Prof. Nick Stone at the University of Exeter, with research partners at the University of Cambridge, the UCL School of Pharmacy and the STFC Rutherford Appleton Labs.

Ryan Before RaNT...

Ryan earned his PhD in biomedical physics from the University of Exeter in 2018, shining a light (quite literally – using lots of lasers and light scattering techniques!) on how the body’s connective tissue works at the molecular scale.

Whilst studying for his doctorate, he stumbled across the enticing world of science communication and discovered a love of connecting non-scientists to the world of living research. For those 5 years, he volunteered as the Outreach Officer for the Biomedical Physics Group, helping deliver the university's widening participation programme.

Now he’s outside of the laser lab in the daylight, helping researchers work together with the public to create the most relevant, impactful advances in science and technology.

Find Me On:

LinkedIn | Twitter @EdgintonRS

Education & Employment

• 2021 – Pres. Communities Engagement Manager: EPSRC RaNT Programme
• 2020 – 2021 Public Engagement Assistant: EPSRC RaNT Programme
• 2014 – 2018 Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) – University of Exeter
• 2009 – 2013 Master of Physics (MPhys Hons.) – University of Exeter