Dr Radhakrishna Prabhu

Tell us something people may not know about you.

I enjoy photography, especially nature photography. Light is part of my research and I like seeing the changes in the colour of nature across the seasons and enjoy how photography plays with light.

What made you apply to become a Reader?

I have been involved in teaching and research in RGU for a long time now, but most of my work is around research. You’ll know more about me through my research, and I take that and apply it to my teaching: research-inspired teaching. I think I’m better suited to research related tracks, which is why I applied.

Tell us about your research

It’s about the interaction of light and materials. A deep understanding of this effect has led to multidisciplinary research, mostly around sensors. Recently, we were given a proof of concept project to develop a sensor that’s compatible with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This project was to help doctors identify the thin layers of biomolecules deposited in the brain that can cause Parkinson’s. Doctors want to remove this layer -- a very fine micron layer -- through non-invasive surgery. It could involve the use of lasers or focused ultrasound, but this is done under the imaging conditions of MRI to selectively remove the biomolecules layer. If you remove too much, it’s going to affect other bodily functions. The challenge of the MRI system is that it has a huge magnetic field. An electrical sensor won’t work because of the magnetic field interaction. Most ordinary sensors won’t work. They were looking for a new type of sensor which is compatible with the magnetic field. I’ve been working on optical based fibre sensors for the last ten years and we came up with a solution. A tiny fibre, which can go through the spine to reach this part of the brain and sense what's happening. We’ve proven that this sensor, based on light, works under a huge magnetic field. It’s a collaborative project between RGU and the University of Dundee.

I have been extending the same technology in other areas, like oil and gas for remote sensing. You can monitor things remotely by putting the fibre through the well – kilometres down the line – to get pressure readings from a remote location.

Another use of our sensors is for GPs with the need for a tabletop method to detect early levels of cancers in blood within a few minutes. We're developing a tiny biochip which takes only a prick of blood to detect cancer levels at the earliest stages. It’s about the sensor and the instrumentation which can give early indications of cancers, antibodies or antigens or DNAs in the blood.

What are you most proud of?

Most of my early career research was on the security side of things. This was confidential and I was not as well-known as a result. Later, I took on research that I could publish. I took the experience from the confidential work and began linking it to the teaching side and my later research. I ended up in a lot of publications. This enhanced my visibility outside RGU and I’ve been involved in organising conferences, which has led to international collaborations and projects. It’s that journey that I am most proud of: from being a person sitting in the lab working on confidential projects to being a well-known figure internationally in my field.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I want to come up with new solutions to current problems. I work with industry because most of my work is applied research. Every day, I try to improve the lifestyle or living conditions of people to help solve societal problems. It’s about coming up with new ideas involving optical sensors to solve these problems.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

As a platform, RGU has given me a lot of opportunities to work in different areas. It’s given me the freedom to interact with other faculties both inside and outside RGU. I’ve been working with other Scottish and UK universities, as well as moving into the international level. It’s this academic freedom that I’m enjoying to use new technology to try and solve not just local issues but international societal problems.

Reader is a Grade 9 role which looks to promote those who have achieved a significant level of activity in Research. If you are interested in applying for a Reader position, take a look at the Annual Appointment Process document on RGyoU.