Last Thursday marked a significant milestone in my journey at the UTS Faculty of Engineering and IT. Not only was it my final day, but it also gave me the chance to exhibit my work in the Capstone Showcase, where I presented my project focused on making intervertebral disc research more accessible.

My project aims to revolutionise how we understand and treat spinal diseases. Through research in the lab, I developed a biomimetic intervertebral disc model using sustainable materials like luffa and alginate. This model presents a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to traditional synthetic materials used in spinal research, closely mimicking human disc properties, which I believe will greatly aid in future research and treatments.

I would like to thank my supervisors, Dr. Javad Tavakoli and Helen Xu, for their support and guidance throughout this Capstone journey. Their insights and encouragement have been invaluable in the completion of my project.

Congratulations to all my peers who participated in the Capstone Showcase and to those wrapping up their studies. The variety and depth of projects solving real-world challenges have been truly remarkable. I also want to give a special shoutout to my friend and table buddy, Jessie Nguyen, who swept the Capstone Showcase with her outstanding project on endometriosis detection, winning both the Judge's and People's Choice Awards. Her work highlights the importance of recognising and addressing often overlooked diseases like endometriosis.

As I close this chapter at UTS, I am looking forward to embracing the new opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. A big thank you to everyone who has been part of my journey. The knowledge and experiences gained here will be invaluable as I move forward in my career.

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