Charlotte Bridgewater, a 22-year-old Mechanical Engineering student, has been named TCT Sanjay Mortimer Foundation Rising Star 2024.
The award was presented during the annual TCT Awards dinner, hosted by science and technology presenter Dallas Campbell, at the National Conference Centre in Birmingham.
Charlotte's academic journey at Newcastle University has been marked by her passion for biomedical engineering, with a special focus on assistive devices. For her dissertation, she is developing the 'TuCan,' a device aimed at making it easier to open beverage cans.
The Sanjay Mortimer Foundation (SMF), named after another young engineer who studied at Newcastle University, supports neurodiverse individuals aged 11-25 who are passionate about STEM.
On her winning the award, Charlotte said, "I'm passionate about the engineering work and study that I do, and I'm excited to continue and hopefully reach new heights with the help of the SMF. It's been fantastic starting to work in a way that's more accessible to me and I look forward to where it might take me."
Jenny Olsen, Charlotte's academic supervisor in the School of Engineering said, "I'm thrilled that Charlotte has been recognised by the fantastic Sanjay Mortimer Foundation for her enthusiasm, talent, and creativity. Lottie is a hard-working student, well-deserving of this award. I hope her win inspires other young people to reflect on what sparks their own curiosity, and channel this into making and creating something exciting and thoughtful, the way Lottie has with her assistive-technology focused university project."
The foundation provides grants, resources, work experience, and more, recognising that neurodiverse talent often faces unique challenges that can impede their entry into STEM fields. SMF support empowers these individuals, building their confidence and enabling them to succeed in industry fields where they can grow and contribute meaningfully.
Teula Bradshaw, Executive Director of the SMF said, "We were overwhelmed by the exceptional quality of entries, with each applicant showcasing their struggles, combined with an evident enthusiasm for engineering, making it an incredibly challenging decision. Charlotte's passion for helping others shone through, and this, combined with her resilience against adverse situations while also being an exemplary ambassador for neurodiverse women in engineering, meant she wholeheartedly deserved to win this unique prize."
As part of her prize, Charlotte will receive access to SMF support plus a limited edition 3D printer.
Applications for SMF support are now open and more information is available on the SMF website.
See Charlotte receiving her award on YouTube.