From Science Fiction to Reality: How Engineering Is Rewiring the Body and Powering the Future

What if we could repair the body not with drugs, but with smart electronics that talk directly to our nerves? Bioelectronic medicine is an exciting new field aiming to do just that - using tiny devices to read and influence the signals that control how we move, feel, and function. In this talk, I’ll take you on a journey through how scientists and engineers are beginning to “build replacement parts” for the nervous system. We’ll explore real-world examples, from helping restore movement after spinal cord injury, to improving bladder control, to the rapidly growing world of brain-computer interfaces that can connect the brain to machines. Along the way, I’ll share stories from cutting-edge research, including experimental devices being tested in humans, and discuss what it takes to turn bold scientific ideas into safe and useful treatments. Whether you’re curious about the future of medicine or just want to understand how technology is reshaping our bodies, this talk will offer a glimpse into a future where electronics and biology work hand in hand.

Fusion powers the stars - but can we make it work on Earth? In this talk, we’ll explore how superconductors are bringing fusion power closer to becoming a realistic source of clean energy. Clara will introduce the fundamentals of superconductors and the potential they hold, highlighting their major real-world applications before turning to their role in fusion reactors. Along the way, we’ll dive into cutting-edge physics and materials science, and explore whether fusion could power our future.