Gold Development Award for researcher
28 April 2021
Dr David Elwyn Williams (BEng 2014, PhD 2019), researcher in medical engineering, has been granted £5,000 by the Worshipful Livery Company of Wales, as the winner of its Gold Development Award 2021.
The Worshipful Livery Company of Wales’ Gold Development Award is intended to provide a substantial award to a young person who has demonstrated a major contribution to the arts, science, or technology for the benefit of the people of Wales.
The award for 2020-2021 was granted to Dr David Elwyn Williams of Cardiff University’s School of Engineering for his pioneering work on the development and validation of a system to measure the internal movement of knee and ankle joints during the activities of daily living. David designed and supervised the building of the unique biplane video X-Ray system, based in the University's Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Facility, now used extensively to carry out examinations of joints.
In addition to his main activity as a Research Associate, David has extended his profile by taking an active role in promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths as a STEM ambassador at Cardiff University helping to set up the first Biomechanics Day in Wales.
The award will enable David to further his work, allowing access to the Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanner at Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC) and the provision of specialised IT equipment.
David applied for the Gold Development Award so he could lead his own pilot study and collect crucial proof of concept data that will assist a planned Research Fellowship application in the future.
Discussing his Gold Development Award win, David said: “I would like to thank the Worshipful Livery Company of Wales for their fantastic support over the last year. I would also like to thank my line manager Professor Cathy Holt who has supported me throughout my career and this application. Professor Holt continues to help push and support me towards my own research independence.”
This is the second time Dr Williams’ work has been acknowledged by the Livery. David also won the Engineering Travel Award for his research in 2020.
The award was presented virtually by the Master, Mr Peter Coleman at a virtual ceremony on 26 March 2021.