Meet Monash University’s latest Women in STEMM Student Leaders – Meagan Roff
Undergraduate - Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Research focus: Digital stethoscope technology for neonates
Meagan Roff is a recipient of a 2023 Women in STEMM Student Leader Award. These awards aim to recognise, celebrate and support women students at Monash University who are contributing to innovation in healthcare and medical technologies. MIME spoke to Meagan upon accepting this award.
What is your chosen degree and what inspired you to pursue this path?
I am currently in the final year of my Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. My passion for improving people’s lives, and a fascination for medicine, inspired me to pursue this path.
Additionally, I have a particular interest in Paediatrics and how innovative research can transform medicine and patient outcomes. Last year, I completed a BMedSc (Honours) where I researched the utility of Digital Stethoscope technology in neonatal (newborn) care, testing a novel digital stethoscope designed specifically for neonates.
What is your favourite aspect about this STEMM field?
My favourite aspect of medical technology lies in its ability to improve the timeliness and accuracy of diagnosis, as well as the management and follow-up of medical conditions. Ultimately, this has the power to enhance patient outcomes.
Can you elaborate on your contribution to innovation in healthcare and medical technologies?
My research focused on testing a novel Neonatal Digital Stethoscope.
Digital stethoscopes offer additional features compared to traditional stethoscopes, including sound amplification, noise cancellation, and integration with Artificial Intelligence (AI). This integration augments sound quality, estimates vital signs, and identifies pathological sounds (e.g. heart murmurs, respiratory disease).
In a recent systematic review published in ‘Newborn’, I evaluated the utility of digital stethoscopes in neonatal care. While highlighting their benefits across various neonatal domains, the review revealed a significant drawback: commercial digital stethoscopes generate low-quality neonatal sounds. This is likely due to the fact that they have not been specifically designed for newborns. As a result, these low-quality sounds compromise both human and AI interpretation, thereby diminishing the benefits that digital stethoscopes have to offer.
Following this, I have focused on assessing the sound quality of the Neonatal Digital Stethoscope. This device was uniquely designed by Monash engineers to meet the specific needs of neonates. Comparing the Neonatal Digital Stethoscope’s performance in capturing newborn heart sounds with two commercial digital stethoscopes, our results affirmed its ability to produce higher-quality sounds. These findings validated the device’s feasibility and indicated areas for device improvement. Our next steps involve extensive testing across various neonatal sounds and conditions, while also advancing our AI-driven neonatal disease detection software. Ultimately, a device capable of producing high-quality neonatal sounds holds promise to enhance both human interpretation and AI capabilities, potentially improving neonatal healthcare.
Can you tell us a little of your leadership experience?
In addition to my academic pursuits, I am committed to the Monash University community and supporting fellow medical students. For the past two years, I have been a member of the Teddy Bear Hospital committee, taking on the role of Treasurer this year. The Teddy Bear Hospital is a student-led paediatric-interest group that organises for university students to volunteer at local primary schools, where they run health-based workshops aiming to enhance basic health literacy and reduce ‘white coat’ anxiety in children.
Furthermore, for the past two years, I’ve been involved in tutoring activities, supporting third-year medical students at their hospital placements through the Academic Mentor Program, and conducting weekly clinical-based lessons. I’ve also provided academic guidance to Indigenous medical students at Monash University through the Indigenous Academic Enhancement Program.
These experiences have ignited my passion for teaching and mentorship, which I hope to pursue in my future career as a doctor.
The MIME Women in STEMM Student Leader Awards recognise student leadership. What does receiving this award mean to you?
I am very grateful to have received the MIME Women in STEMM Student Leader award. This award holds special significance as it not only recognises my achievements and contribution to research and leadership but also highlights the importance of women’s representation and empowerment in STEMM fields.
What will the $1,000 cash prize to support your studies go towards?
I will be presenting my research at the 2024 Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand (PSANZ) held in Christchurch, New Zealand. The prize money will help to cover the associated costs of this conference.
What are you most looking forward to in regard to the MIME networking opportunities afforded to you due to receiving this award?
I am looking forward to meeting like-minded people interested in research and STEMM, and having the opportunity to discuss my research.
Why do you think awards like this are important for Women in STEMM?
Awards like these recognise women’s contributions in STEMM, reinforce the value of diversity and inclusion, and inspire the further pursuit of STEMM disciplines.
What is your advice for women in STEMM or those thinking about a career in STEMM?
My advice to Women in STEMM is to believe in yourself and your abilities, pursue your interests and don’t shy away from challenges, even if they seem daunting. Remember, you have the capability to succeed, so give everything a go – you’ve got this!