tech4health student presents at Functional Near Infra-Red Spectroscopy (fNIRS) Conference in Cambridge

Written by Elaine Keegan, 2nd Year CDT student

As part of my mini project, Biomechanically Adjusted Neurovascular Function Assessment (BANFA), I had the opportunity to attend the fNIRS annual conference held in Cambridge. Functional Near Infra-Red Spectroscopy is a widely used technique that uses light (near infra-red) to detect levels of oxygen, etc, in the blood. As I learnt while away, there seem to be infinite applications of these sensors.

My supervisor and I both attended the conference and took part in the sponsor workshops. I found the workshops to be really interesting and worthwhile. We got to have a go with some of the equipment and see what information they can gather.

Day one was the official opening of the conference and the first poster session of the two days. It was a great experience talking to everyone, and I was really inspired by some of the applications of NIRS that were being used!

Day two of the conference included the second of the poster sessions, where once again there was some really interesting work being presented. During the presentations, I learnt about some amazing applications of fNIRS including mind reading, assessing the quality of baby’s sleep and how babies react to real and fake laughter.

The conference finished up, and I had some time to wander the city before heading for my flight home. I got some really good photos to remember my trip by!