Case study: Improving bone health with research collaborations beyond academia

Dr Fay Manning, Lecturer in Medical Imaging at the University of Exeter, demonstrates how collaborating with industry can turn innovative medical research into clinical interventions that change lives.

Our case study series features inspiring researchers discussing their careers and sharing tips on how they engage beyond academia to drive change. A new case study, looking at the work of Dr Fay Manning, is now available.

To find out more about Fay and her work beyond academia, check out the full case study here.

A case study document of Dr Fay Manning. In the top right corner is a photo of Fat positioning a patient's arm beneath an X-Ray machine, and the DBAA logo. The text of the case study reads: Improving bone health with research collaborations beyond academia Dr Fay Manning, Lecturer in Medical Imaging at the University of Exeter, demonstrates how collaborating with industry can turn innovative medical research into clinical interventions that change lives. Fay’s research focuses on fractures, falls and frailty. Throughout her career, she has partnered with industry and the NHS to develop and implement groundbreaking interventions that enhance mobility and improve the lives of people affected by musculoskeletal conditions. Her academic career started with a deep curiosity in the human body. Working as a research assistant while completing her BSc in Sports and Exercise Science catalysed a fascination in the research process that would lead her to complete degrees in Sports and Exercise Science Physiology (MSc) and Biomedical Physics (PhD). Her postdoc was with a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) study, engaging with patients and commissioners to assess the impact of an exercise programme on falls. This shaped her belief that successful interventions require both clinician confidence and patient trust. “Working with NHS commissioners really helped me understand decision making in healthcare. Great ideas will only reach the patient if they are commissioned by healthcare systems.” The patient has always been at the heart of Fay’s work, and working with industry enables her to make a difference in people’s lives. Alongside her current lecturing role, Fay is collaborating with industry to translate her research ideas into real-world solutions. Working beyond academia requires a different communication style and she has learnt to confidently advocate for her work to unlock new funding opportunities. One project involves working with IBEX, a medical analytics company, to implement an X-ray system software that can identify osteoporosis early, with the potential to slow down progression through early interventions. Another groundbreaking project she is involved in is developing a health monitoring system that tracks the forces going through the body during exercise and everyday activities, supporting people with osteoporosis to exercise safely and effectively.