Lucy Gates , 2014

Arthritis Research UK PhD Fellow

Hi, I'm Lucy Gates and I studied within Health Sciences at the University of Southampton.

I was keen to find a University which offered excellence in research as well as close involvement with the NHS. This University has strong links to both.

I am funded by Arthritis Research UK, which offers fellowships for allied health professionals, to study whether foot and ankle assessments can be used to improve the prediction of outcomes following knee replacement (TKR).

The long term aim of my study is to provide a better understanding of foot and ankle assessments so that more effective treatment for patients who have knee replacement surgery can be developed.

By measuring and observing people's foot and ankle characteristics I hope to influence the use of assessments like these within the NHS.

The excellent facilities available here are what initially drew me to the Faculty.  In particular there's a valuable gait analysis laboratory which enables me to measure movement dynamically and quantifiably.

As well as the excellent research facilities available here I've also found the mentoring to be outstanding.   

Health Sciences' musculoskeletal department has strong links with the University of Oxford and I have supervisors and colleagues at both establishments.

With collaboration across the two Universities becoming stronger all the time, we are working together to discuss future ideas and how we put these forward to gain funding.

PhD students are also actively encouraged to make collaborations across the Faculties which allows for a huge amount of beneficial networking. 

Alongside this I've gained tremendous support from academic forums, general meetings and focus groups, and I feel extremely well looked-after here.

My plan is to continue to pursue an academic career and I'd like to move on to undertake a post-doctoral PhD.