By Dr Miriam Hurley
Dr. Miriam Hurley is a Postdoctoral Fellow in Cardiac Electrophysiology and Experimental Lead in the Systems Physiology Lab at The University of Leeds. Her focus is in developing and applying multi-scale imaging modalities to study the functional and structural properties of the heart. This focus has been applied to the investigation of cardiac remodelling in heart failure and the study of Purkinje fibres in mechanically-induced arrhythmias.
Dr Miriam Hurley was a 2024 Research and Knowledge Exchange Award recipient. We followed up with Miriam to find out more about her project and the outcomes.
What was your project?
I was honoured to receive a Research and Knowledge Exchange Award in 2024, which supported the development of a collaborative partnership with the University of Auckland, New Zealand. The physiology department and the research group led by Dr Marie-Louise Ward are internationally recognised for their work on mechanically stimulating cardiac tissue and measuring the resulting changes in calcium function. I was particularly keen to learn this technique and bring this expertise back to Leeds to enhance our ability to study stretch-activated arrhythmias across different regions of the heart.
In exchange, the Auckland group were interested in developing their capabilities in advanced imaging techniques, particularly expansion microscopy, alongside fundamental image analysis approaches. This created a mutually beneficial opportunity for knowledge exchange that allowed both groups to expand their technical skillsets and research capacity.
What were the outcomes of your project?
The project enabled me to establish international collaborations that would otherwise not have been possible. These connections have been strengthened through subsequent interactions at international conferences and continued collaborative work. A new collaboration with the University of Zaragoza has emerged following the completion of this project, directly stemming from the data obtained during my time in Auckland. This collaboration has already contributed to the development of a new imaging methodology, which has since been presented at several conferences. During my visit, I also worked closely with the imaging department at the University of Auckland, gaining valuable insight into their analytical approaches while sharing my own expertise in imaging and analysis techniques. This exchange of knowledge has helped broaden the methodological toolkit of both research groups.
How did receiving the Research and Knowledge Exchange Award support you?
Without the support of the Physiological Society, I would have been unable to visit Auckland. The visit enabled me to gain valuable experimental knowledge, with pilot data being successfully obtained. This data has furthered our understanding of the research topic and fed into the research outputs of other research groups here at Leeds. Specifically, I am currently applying for funding as I transition to independence from the role of an early career researcher. The collaborations solidified, techniques learnt, and the data collected from obtaining this award have formed a substantial part of the grant proposals being submitted.
Do you have any advice or recommendations for potential future applicants?
- Be proactive. Reach out to potential host institutions early to explore possible collaborations and identify opportunities for multiple researchers to become involved. Many researchers are very open to new collaborations, particularly when there is a clear opportunity for mutual knowledge exchange.
- Remain flexible. Plans may evolve once you arrive at the host institution. There may be additional experiments underway or new skills and perspectives you can gain beyond what was initially planned. Being open to these opportunities can significantly enhance the value of the visit.
- Plan how you will use the data. Having a clear idea of how the data will be used once you return – such as a planned manuscript or grant proposal – can help focus your work during the visit and allow you to clearly communicate your goals to the collaborators.