Alec Berry

Background

About Alec Berry

I am a recent graduate from Oxford University, having studied Engineering Science. After graduating I joined Inspiritus Health as the first employee. Inspiritus Health is a medical device start-up which aims to reduce the time patients spend on mechanical ventilation by up to 30%. As Product Engineer, I am responsible for leading the design of the StimSpirit, a non-invasive device that maintains diaphragm strength from day 1 of mechanical ventilation, whilst also providing real-time information to clinicians about the state of their patients respiratory systems. These two features combine to reduce the time patients spend on mechanical ventilation, and assist clinicians in making better informed decisions, improving patient outcomes. My work on the monitoring system led to me being shortlisted for Young Pioneer of the Year by the IET, as well as resulting in an upcoming clinical collaboration with the University Hospital of Wales to test a prototype of part of the StimSpirit in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Whilst at Oxford I had a strong interest in Medical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering, taking as many modules as possible which involved these. Alongside these I took modules involving control theory, machine learning and machine vision, providing a broad background of knowledge which has wide applicability. I received the Lubbock scholarship, which is awarded to the highest scoring engineer at Balliol College in each year. My work at Inspiritus Health has led to me being shortlisted for the IET Young Pioneer of the Year award, as well as for the IET Health Technology Award, both of which I will receive the results for in December. My engineering and leadership skills have previously been recognised by the IET when I was awarded with an IET Diamond Jubilee scholarship which I held during my time at Oxford. Alongside engineering, I enjoy rowing, having represented Oxford in the 2023 Lightweight Boat Race.