Entries for the 2027 IET Postgraduate Research Awards are now open 

Gabriuel Abrahams 

One of this year's recipients is Gabriel Abrahams, a DPhil candidate in Engineering Science at the University of Oxford and winner of the IET Postgraduate Scholarship for an Outstanding Researcher.  

Gabriel's research sits within the rapidly growing field of engineering biology. His work focuses on developing technologies that use electromagnetic fields and bioengineered proteins to read, control and influence biological systems. The long-term potential applications range from healthcare and medical research to sustainable industrial processes.  

The award will support Gabriel as he continues to develop magneto-responsive proteins and work with collaborators across physics, biochemistry, bioengineering and biology to advance the technology.  

Reflecting on his achievement, Gabriel said: 

"I am immensely grateful to the IET for this recognition and honoured to receive this award, which provides fantastic support for the next phase of my research."

Gabriel's work represents just one example of the breadth of research recognised through the 2026 awards. This year's winners are tackling challenges across healthcare, engineering biology, sustainable energy, biomedical engineering and advanced manufacturing.  

For many recipients, the awards provide more than funding, offering confidence, visibility and opportunities to build collaborations and accelerate the impact of their research. 

Lucy Hodgins 

Lucy Hodgins, a PhD candidate at the University of Southampton, is one of our Postgraduate Research Award winners and a great example, explaining: 

"The award has boosted my confidence in myself as a researcher and opened the door to exciting collaborations that wouldn't have been possible otherwise." 

Her research works to develop assistive technologies for stroke rehabilitation and the award will support research collaboration and dissemination. 

Alongside Gabriel and Lucy, the 2026 winners are researching a wide range of technologies with the potential to make a real-world impact. 

Alongside Gabriel and Lucy, the 2026 winners are researching a wide range of technologies with the potential to make a real-world impact. 

Xufu Ren 

At the University of Cambridge, Xufu Ren is researching high-efficiency, high-power-density power conversion technologies for future AI data centres. Driven by the rapidly growing energy demands of artificial intelligence, his work focuses on improving the sustainability and efficiency of power systems through innovations in converter architecture, circuit topologies and magnetic design. 

Xufu said: "This is a tremendous honour and recognition of the impact of my research, and it motivates me to continue developing more efficient and sustainable power conversion technologies for future AI data centres." 

Latifah Almulla 

Latifah Almulla, a DPil candidate at the University of Oxford, is developing next-generation bioelectronic and microfluidic implants for targeted brain drug delivery. Her work combines innovative drug delivery systems with integrated sensors capable of real-time physiological monitoring, helping bring new treatment approaches for neurological disorders a step closer to reality. The Hudswell International Research Scholarship will support the next stage of her research, including pre-clinical studies. 

Reflecting on her award, Latifah said: “I am honoured to receive the Hudswell International Research Scholarship; it's a great recognition of my research and will support the next stage of developing innovative brain implant technologies to pre-clinical studies." 

Yiming Li 

Also, at the University of Cambridge, Yiming Li is working at the intersection of ultrasound, microfluidics and biomedical device engineering. His research focuses on surface acoustic wave technologies that could improve both disease diagnosis and therapeutic delivery, including innovations to help treat neurological diseases and make healthcare more accessible and cost-effective. 

Yiming said: "Winning this award is a great honour and encouragement for me to continue developing engineering solutions with meaningful real-world impact."

Matthew Burgess 

At the University of Oxford, Matthew Burgess is exploring advanced biomaterials capable of delivering electrical and mechanical stimulation within the body, with applications including wound healing and cardiac care. Beyond the lab, Matthew's ambition is to become a venture scientist, helping bridge academic proof-of-concept research and clinically deployable medical devices. 

Matthew said: "I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity that this funding gives me to further investigate the exciting possibilities for tissue engineering and critical-care biotechnology."