This work was my thesis project for the Medical Visualisation and Human Anatomy programme. The aim of the project was to create realistic-looking breast tissue training simulations (“phantoms”) with diverse skin tones that also demonstrated different levels of breast density under ultrasound. Two phantoms were developed, one in a light-medium skin tone with a higher density, and one with a dark skin tone and lower density. Only low-cost materials and basic equipment were used in construction, making creation and distribution of the phantoms accessible. The phantoms were critically evaluated and contrasted by participants with various life science backgrounds, all of whom found the phantoms to be useful training tools and the presence of diverse skin tones to be an important addition.

This project allowed me to combine my interests in women’s health, diversification of healthcare educational materials, and healthcare accessibility. While some tweaks to the design are required, there is potential for future development and commercialisation of these breast phantoms into a low-cost alternative to those currently on the market.

This interactive application was my first experience creating in Unity 3D. Inspired by my previous background in neuroscience, I opted to create a learning tool for simplifying and visualising the drug action of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a commonly prescribed type of medication used to treat depressive disorders. The application allows the user to release serotonin from the presynaptic neuron into the synaptic cleft, where it interacts with the postsynaptic neuron. The user is able to directly compare the action of serotonin in the synapse both without and with the presence of an SSRI.