Dr. Sunish Mathews is a Lecturer in Medical Engineering and Technology.  His academic journey reflects a strong interdisciplinary foundation, with expertise spanning applied physics, biomedical optics, and medical device innovation.

He earned his PhD from Technological University (TU) Dublin, Ireland, where he also continued as a postdoctoral researcher. Prior to joining Dundee, Dr. Mathews was a Research Associate at University College London (UCL) in the Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering. There, he was part of the Photoacoustic Imaging Group and worked closely with the Wellcome/EPSRC Centre for Interventional and Surgical Sciences (WEISS). Alongside his academic role, he also served as a part-time Senior Sensor Engineer at Echopoint Medical Ltd.

Originally from the picturesque town of Kottayam in Kerala, India, Dr. Mathews holds a Master’s degree in Applied Physics from CMS College, Kottayam (affiliated with Mahatma Gandhi University). He began his professional career in teaching, primarily at the senior secondary and pre-university level, before moving into research. He later held a research assistant position at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, which laid the foundation for his doctoral studies in Dublin.

Dr. Mathews’ research focuses on the development of innovative fibre optic sensing technologies to advance diagnostic, imaging, and therapeutic capabilities in interventional surgery and healthcare. His work is driven by a translational approach, aiming to bridge the gap between engineering innovation and clinical application.

At the University of Dundee, he is establishing a research laboratory dedicated to Sensorized Interventional Devices, with a vision to seamlessly integrate advanced sensing technologies into commercial medical devices, enabling faster clinical translation and improved patient outcomes.

Following his PhD at Technological University (TU) Dublin, Dr. Mathews led the development of miniature sensors based on photonic crystal fibres, designed to provide real-time force feedback in handheld laparoscopic surgical tools. This work laid the foundation for his continued focus on minimally invasive technologies.

At University College London (UCL), he contributed to multiple high-impact projects involving fibre optic sensors for minimally invasive procedures. As part of the Photoacoustic Imaging Group, he developed highly miniaturized, single-element photoacoustic probes for visualizing blood vessels during needle-based interventions. With the Interventional Device Group, he led the development of a multimodal imaging probe for interventional cardiology, integrating Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Photoacoustic (PA) imaging into a single catheter-based platform.

In collaboration with King’s College London, Dr. Mathews served as the sensor lead on a pioneering project to develop an ultrasonic needle tracking system for fetal medicine. He was responsible for the design and fabrication of a sensorized needle embedded with fibre optic ultrasound sensors, culminating in the first clinical prototype of the tracking system.

During his time at Echopoint Medical Ltd., he managed production runs of fibre optic pressure sensors for catheter-based cardiovascular applications. His role included ensuring adherence to rigorous Quality Management System (QMS) standards, with the goal of advancing the technology toward first-in-human clinical use.

Dr. Mathews contributes to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in Biomedical Engineering, bringing an interdisciplinary background in physics, engineering, and medical technology to the classroom. His teaching is rooted in fostering critical thinking, creativity, and real-world problem-solving through research-informed and project-based learning.

He is the module lead for:

• Thermodynamics (BE21004) – delivered in Semester 1 at NEU Shenyang, China, as part of the Joint Education Programme in BEng (Hons) Biomedical Engineering JEP
• Biomedical Engineering Design (BE32001) – delivered in Semester 2 in Dundee for the BEng (Hons) Biomedical Engineering programme

He also supports the delivery of the following modules:

• Biophotonics (BE41001) – BEng (Hons) Biomedical Engineering
• Advanced Biomedical and Surgical Technologies (ME52001) – MSc Biomedical Engineering
• Advanced Biomedical Imaging Technologies (ME52004) – MSc Medical Imaging

Dr. Mathews designs his teaching to bridge theory and application, encouraging students to engage with authentic, engineering oriented and clinically relevant challenges. Through the use of open-ended design tasks, collaborative group work, and formative feedback, he supports students in developing both technical proficiency and design confidence, preparing them for careers at the intersection of healthcare and technology.