Dr Jufan Zhang is the finalist of the 2024 UCD Research Impact Case Study Competition

UCD Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact Professor Kate Robson Brown has announced the winner and ten finalists of the 2024 UCD Research Impact Case Study Competition. The annual competition encourages researchers from all disciplines to share how their work has made a positive difference to wider society.

Dr Jufan Zhang from UCD Centre of Micro/Nano Manufacturing Technology (MNMT-Dublin),  School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, is among the finalists for his project “Anywhere, anytime, anybody: administering medication at home with microneedle injections”. 

Needle phobia is an intense fear of needles in medical settings and can lead people to avoid or delay medical care. Dr Jufan Zhang’s team develops user-friendly microneedle devices for easy self-administration of medications carried out by the family of the patient. This minimises pain for children and significantly reduces their fear of receiving medication by injection. This research has led to two grants from Enterprise Ireland, the establishment of a spin-out company, four industrial collaborations, a filed patent, four types of products, and several invited conference talks and personal awards for Dr Zhang.

Check the details and watch the videohere

Congratulations!