Dr Vijayalakshmi Ahanathapillai
Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Engineering, Course Leader
School of Health Sciences
- Email:
- viji.ahanath@bcu.ac.uk
Viji received a B.Eng in Electronics and Communication Engineering (1999-2003) from Thiagarajar College of Engineering in India, and a PhD in Electronic and Electrical Engineering from the Centre for Signal and Image Processing at the University of Strathclyde (2005-2010).
During her PhD research, Viji developed an automated diagnosis algorithm to process echocardiography images, which could improve precise location of heart muscle damage and detect its viability. Specifically, the algorithm involved reducing noise, enhancing echo scan images, and applying wavelets along with spatial / temporal processing techniques for heart wall detection. Statistical pattern recognition and classification techniques are then applied to both locate and quantify the abnormal heart wall movement. This research was carried out in close collaboration with Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, and the cardiology department at the Glasgow Western Infirmary Hospital, and resulted in the development of a new Myocardial Ischemia Detection Algorithm (MIDA).
Upon completing her PhD, Viji worked as an Image Processing Algorithms Engineer for Lucis Software Ltd., working on industrial non-destructive testing application. She then held a post-doctoral position at the Institute of Digital Healthcare (University of Warwick) to develop wearable devices and new instruments/services that will assist the elderly in maintaining their independence and their daily activities.
She has also worked at the Learning and Development Centre (University of Warwick) to assess the impact of learning and development provision for research active staff at the University. This specifically included carrying out needs analysis in order to identify any support, learning and career development opportunities that would be beneficial for ethnic minority research active staff working in the UK. Most recently, she has worked as a development scientist at Malvern Panalytical Ltd, developing novel image processing algorithms for nanoparticle sizing instrument range.
In 2019, Viji joined Birmingham City University as a lecturer in Biomedical Engineering. Viji’s research interest includes, signal and image processing, biomedical engineering, wearable technology, artificial intelligence and big data for healthcare applications.