Augmented Biomaterials Lab, Dyson School

I helped FIBE to explore the feasibility of reusing potato harvest waste in Jersey to create a wider circular economy for potato farming and the global fashion industry. Responsibilities involved going on a field trip to Jersey and engaging in trial waste collection, interviewing farmers to find pain points and potential opportunities to add Fibe’s activities into the Jersey potatoes supply chain. My main contribution was collating all the findings into a graphic design report to be submitted to an Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) grant and the Design Museum, developing my proficiency in Figma’s graphic design and rigorous academic research in agri-waste fibre production.

Furthermore, I developed my entrepreneurial skills in the Global Challenge Lab 2023 to apply my research in circular economy of islands. I was responsible for team management and creating the final pitch deck, and my group was one of six out of 70+ teams to become finalists.

Finally, I developed laboratory skills through the physical prototyping of a sustainable leather alternative out of grape waste at lab scale. I made suitable experimental plans and produced lots of leather samples, and the outcome was a biomaterial that could be sustainably sourced from the wine industry.