Research Projects
Doing research as a high school student in Iceland isn’t easy. My school didn’t offer any guidance, programs, or opportunities for research outside the classroom, and as far as I know, most high schools in Iceland don’t, especially not in anything related to biomedical engineering. That’s why I’m genuinely proud to have taken part in both of the research projects below.
I’ve learned so much from these experiences: how real labs operate, how scientists think, and how ideas move from curiosity to experiment to discovery. These projects gave me my first true glimpse into the world of biomedical engineering, and they've only made me more excited to keep pursuing it.
Össur Research Project
Össur is an Icelandic company specialising in prosthetic engineering and manufacturing. Seeking exposure to the biomedical industry, particularly in Iceland, I reached out to the company and was offered a research project.
The project focused on materials used in prosthetics and how they influence the user experience. It provided me with insight into the intersection of engineering, material science, and human centred design. This experience gave me a deeper understanding of the biomedical field and reinforced my interest in pursuing it further.
Private Analysis paper - kari stefansson
I reached out to world renowned geneticist Kari Stefansson, seeking insight into the field of genetics and bioinformatics. During our conversation, he shared his perspective on how Iceland’s unique population makes it an exceptional place to study genetics and large scale medical data.
Following our discussion, he sent me an upcoming medical research proposal and asked me to write an analysis and provide my insights. I spent weeks refining my work, eager to impress a role model whom I had long admired.
He was so impressed with my analysis that he offered to write me a letter of recommendation. This experience not only deepened my understanding of genetics and research methodology but also showed me the value of reaching out, taking initiative, and striving for excellence.