15:05 - 16:05 | VC Theatre (Level 0)
Ms Clarisse Schembri Frendo
Department of Mathematics and Science Education/ Department of Leadership for Learning and Innovation, Faculty of Education
Immersive Virtual Reality (iVR) is increasingly promoted as a means of enhancing science learning, yet its pedagogical value depends on how it shapes cognitive engagement and meaningful learning. This mixed-methods study investigates students’ perceptions of iVR and its effects on the teaching and learning of biology from an educational neuroscience perspective, drawing on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Cognitive Affective Model of Immersive Learning (CAMIL). A longitudinal crossover design was implemented with 118 Year 8 students who alternated between iVR-mediated and traditional biology lessons. Quantitative data comprised repeated self-report measures aligned with TAM and CAMIL constructs, together with pre- and post-knowledge assessments. Qualitative interviews and classroom observations provided deeper insight into student experience and classroom dynamics.
Students initially had positive perceptions of iVR, but TAM-based ratings of perceived usefulness and behavioural intention declined over time, particularly among the group that used iVR in the first phase. In contrast, CAMIL-related measures indicated that iVR lessons were experienced as engaging and immersive, although perceptions of agency and control were more mixed. Across phases, all students demonstrated significant gains in biological knowledge of the content focused upon, with those in iVR-mediated lessons performing at least as well as, and in some comparisons slightly better than, peers taught via traditional methods.
The findings suggest that iVR can enrich biology education when carefully aligned with pedagogical design and cognitive-affective goals. Additionally, an educational neuroscientific framework is valuable for understanding how immersion, perception and presence interact in secondary science classrooms.
Ms Rebecca Camenzuli | Co-researchers: Prof. Josephine Milton, Dr Tania Muscat, Prof. Josephine Deguara, Dr Charmaine Bonello, Dr Rosienne Camilleri and Ms Michela Vella
Department of Early Childhood and Primary Education, Faculty of Education
This study focuses on initial teacher education (ITE) programmes in five Universities and Colleges across the European Union and compares them with UM’s ITE programmes. It forms part of a larger research project on Addressing Linguistic Diversity in Malta: Teacher Education and Classroom Pedagogy in Early and Primary Education. This part of the study examines how the ITE programmes offered by UM compare with those in other member states that share a common geographical, historical or linguistic background with Malta, and how these programmes prepare pre-service teachers for the growing linguistic diversity in schools. The ITE programmes were compared and analysed based on the key curriculum components identified in Raud and Orehhova’s (2002) study of teacher education curricula. The findings reveal that inclusion and diversity are currently being given importance across all the programmes analysed. However, the UM’s ITE programmes tend to be heavily based on methodology, thus indicating that this is a priority for Maltese schools, whereas programmes in some other institutions focus more on language-related areas. Some institutions also regard Early Childhood Education as an area of specialisation in its own right and distinguish it from Primary Education. In such cases, different curriculum areas are given importance, including practical teaching experience. Recommendations are made for improving Malta’s ITE programmes and the areas that may require more attention.
Dr Tania Muscat and Dr Jonathan Borg
Department of Early Childhood and Primary Education | Department of Inclusion and Access to Learning, Faculty of Education
This qualitative study examines the Karl Vella Foundation (KVF) Educational Support Programme, which provides personalised academic assistance to children who are critically ill, have a seriously ill family member, or have lost a relative due to illness. Recognising the educational and emotional challenges such circumstances create, the KVF extends its services beyond psychological and emotional support to include tailored academic intervention.
The research explores the perspectives of five warranted primary school teacher-tutors and five parents or caregivers whose children benefit from this initiative. Data are generated through semi-structured, one-to-one interviews and are analysed thematically to identify key themes and insights. Early findings indicate the KVF programme helps sustain academic continuity through a flexible, person-centred model that combines online and in-person tutoring.
Teacher-tutors emphasise the significance of empathy, adaptability, and consistent communication with families, while parents/caregivers underline the programme’s positive influence on their children’s motivation, study momentum and overall wellbeing. Both groups recognise the importance of the Foundation’s holistic approach, which integrates academic and psychosocial support enabled through a reliable professional community service network. Although logistical challenges occasionally arise, the initiative demonstrates strong potential in maintaining educational engagement among children experiencing illness-related family adversity.
The study contributes to the growing body of research on inclusive and compassionate education, highlighting the transformative impact of community-based interventions on the social and emotional wellbeing and academic growth of children exposed to adverse childhood experiences related to illness.
Dr Lucianne Zammit
Department of Education Studies, Faculty of Education
The study investigates the ethical complexities surrounding the integration of Generative AI (GenAI) into Maltese secondary education. Drawing on qualitative data from students, teachers, and a Head of Department, it explores how GenAI tools such as ChatGPT are perceived and used in educational contexts, with particular attention to academic integrity, access, and evolving pedagogical practices. Thematic analysis revealed four central themes: the ethical boundaries of AI use, the need for structured AI education, issues of fairness and digital equity, and the future orientation of AI integration in schools. While participants acknowledged GenAI’s potential to support personalised learning and critical thinking, they also expressed concern over misuse, unequal access, and a lack of clear guidance. Teachers emphasised the importance of ethical modelling, while students called for more consistent and transparent instruction on responsible AI use. Framed through James Moor’s concept of policy and conceptual vacuums, the study highlights gaps in institutional readiness and ethical frameworks. The study concludes by advocating for comprehensive AI literacy, inclusive policy development, and professional training to ensure that GenAI enhances rather than undermines educational integrity and equity. The Maltese context offers valuable insights for other education systems navigating similar digital transformations.
Ms Marisa Galea Vella
Department of Moral Theology, Faculty of Theology
Several factors, including biological predispositions, social determinants of health and socio-ecological factors, determine children’s health. The social determinants of health identify several ‘upstream’ social factors deemed crucial to promoting children's overall wellbeing.
Children are frequently burdened with inequities beyond their control, and that could negatively affect or even impede them from achieving their maximum potential. These inequities occur for various reasons, including limited health literacy, disadvantaged socio-economic status, harmful environments, limited access to healthcare and inadequate nutrition.
Optimal child health and development is a fundamental right where children are entitled to the protection and care necessary for their well-being. The Convention on the Rights of the Child recognises that children have the right to enjoy the highest attainable standard of health. The inequities that children face raise significant normative issues grounded in various theories of justice.
The poster will present normative considerations centred on perspectives of justice in the context of child health, with a particular focus on inequities. It is asserted that the consequences of these inequities are far-reaching and possibly lifelong, requiring a moral imperative grounded in justice to mitigate these risks.
Ms Eleonora Bolsi
Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts
My research asks what intelligence is in living beings. When we are told that AI is not real intelligence, the obvious question is: what is real intelligence? Yet despite a century of theories and tests, there is still no scientifically settled definition, which makes it hard, in principle, to state how artificial agents differ from us, even if they were to surpass humans in many cognitive skills.
AI already reshapes our everyday life, and will increasingly influence our societies and politics. I argue that the confusion stems from a long reductionist drift: across psychometrics and computational modelling, intelligence has been treated as a measure or a set of skills.
To move beyond this, I propose a framework that reconnects life, intelligence, and cognition as mutually dependent dimensions of a living subject. Intelligence is a mode of being: the dialectical transition from a range of possible responses to the selection of an action or decision. Cognition, by contrast, is the meaningful organisation that emerges in organism–environment relations, through which reality becomes intelligible. These dimensions converge only in living subjects, whose autonomy involves an effort to generate order and meaning through experience.
This reframing bears directly on human–AI relations. AI systems may learn, optimise, and generate goals; yet lacking life, self-organisation, and an intrinsic negentropic drive, they are not intelligent in the ontological sense at issue. Clarifying this helps prevent reductionism about intelligence from becoming reductionism about humanity.
Ms Estelle Zahra
Department of Human Communication Sciences and Disorders, Faculty of Health Sciences
Background: The Multilingual Assessment Instrument for Narratives (MAIN; Gagarina et al., 2021) is a robust tool for assessing oral language in Malta’s unique linguistic landscape, where English and Maltese function as typologically dissimilar majority languages (Gatt & Dodd, 2022). However, previous pilot data (n=8) indicated that MAIN raw scores alone may insufficiently capture linguistic variation across participants. This internal pilot study aims to refine the design of the larger investigation into the narrative language profiles of Maltese children (aged 5–8) with and without history of maltreatment. Specifically, it evaluates the feasibility of adding two measures, the Sentence Imitation Task (SIT) which is a subtest found in the Language Assessment for Maltese Children (LAMC; Grech et al., 2011) and the Q-BEx (Quantifying Bilingual Experience, De Cat et al., 2022) questionnaire, to the existing assessment battery.
Method: Twenty-five typically developing Maltese bilingual children (aged 5–8) completed the Maltese and English versions of the MAIN, with language order counterbalanced. Analysis included narrative macro- and micro-structure using MAIN raw scores and Mean Length of Utterance (MLU), moving-average-type-token ratio, mismatch analysis to establish baseline profiles. Decisions on children’s language dominance were informed by Q-BEx data on language exposure and proficiency. Narrative language measures were compared to SIT scores.
Results: Preliminary findings suggest that allocating participants to Maltese- and English-dominant sub-groups provided a more nuanced and accurate presentation of their bilingual profiles. The SIT integrated well into linguistic analysis based on the MAIN narratives. Participant fatigue suggests a shorter Q-BEx for the full-scale study.
Prof. Kathrin Schödel and Dr Katrin Dautel
Department of German, Faculty of Arts
The poster will present a research project on ‘Islands and Environment(s)’ to be published as a special issue of the journal ‘Germanistica Euromediterrae’. Using an interdisciplinary approach combining ecocriticism in German studies, comparative literature and discourse analysis with island studies, the project seeks to explore representations and imaginations of islands and their environment(s). Both the concept of the island and of the environment are hereby critically examined. As opposed to dominant Western notions of the island, which are often characterised by binary oppositions such as land-water, inside-outside or centre-periphery, island studies assume a close connection between (is)land and water. The term aquapelago (Hayward 2012), for instance, emphasises the interlinked space of land and water. Land and water are not conceived as fixed binaries, but as non-hierarchical constellations including spaces in-between. Similarly, the concept of the environment, which suggests a dichotomy between humans and surrounding nature, is deconstructed in ecocritical approaches: like land and water, humans and environment(s) are understood in their inseparable connectedness and diverse forms of transitions.
The poster will showcase two ongoing research projects in this context: Katrin Dautel explores the representation of climate change in contemporary, comparative island literature, connecting the local with the global dimension towards a shared responsibility (Heise, 2008). Kathrin Schödel focuses on representations and constructions of island spaces in relation to concepts of property across various discourses (literary, legal, economic), linking these to politics of human-nature relations.
Prof. Hoang Nguyen
Department of Banking, Finance and Investments, Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy
This paper identifies a preliminary pattern of individual foreign investment (IFI) motivations through investment immigration programs (IIP). Unlike labour migration or refugees, IFIs are located at the intersection of investment (capital), migration policies, and individual aspirations. Despite differences across countries in encouraging or restricting IIP programs, they are still on the rise. However, systematic analysis of investor motivations remains limited. To address this gap, this study applies the MSIDA framework, which integrates four theoretical pillars: International Migration (IM), Ontological Security (OS), International Business (IB), and Political Attitudes (PA). The dataset consists of 934 coded sentences extracted from 178 academic publications, government reports, and newspaper articles covering the period from the 2000s to the present. Through document-level co-occurrence network analysis, the study uncovered a tightly integrated motivational backbone. The results show that immigrant investors are primarily motivated by aspirations for a higher quality of life, family well-being, and personal security, with financial capacity allowing them to strategically make the move. Additionally, political instability and future opportunities play an amplifying role, while economic benefits play a secondary role. This study demonstrates how financially capable individuals engage in IIPs and how their decisions have shaped a new generational migration pattern.
Rev. Prof. Charló Camilleri
Department of Moral Theology, Faculty of Theology
This study constitutes the first phase of a wider historical and pastoral investigation into prostitution in G偶ira, Malta. The present phase is confined exclusively to the systematic examination of material held in the Historical Parish Archives and seeks to analyse how prostitution was encountered, understood, and pastorally addressed by the local Catholic parish during the mid-to-late twentieth century. Through an ecclesiastical-historical and theological lens, the research examines parish correspondence, pastoral records, sacramental registers, and devotional documentation in order to reconstruct clerical attitudes, pastoral strategies, and institutional silences concerning moral marginality. A subsequent phase of the wider study will incorporate oral history interviews with retired sex workers, pastoral workers, and community members; however, these do not form part of the present proposal.
Mr Steven Camilleri
Department of Library 福利在线免费 and Archive Sciences, Faculty of Media and Knowledge Sciences
Notwithstanding various studies on the Bibliotheca Pubblica, none addressed the classification and cataloguing system adopted by Agius de Soldanis on his appointment as librarian in 1763.
Although still in its initial stages, the study investigated the general orientation of the collection and consequently the subjects that featured more prominently during the period 1763–1798. Preliminary results already show that this collection reflected the contemporary enlightenment period.
Perhaps surprisingly, it also provided subtle hints on the literary tastes of the members of the Order and their collections. An example of this can be seen in the main subject heading, Theology, a subject one thinks might consider being most popular for a religious military order. However, figures showed that this is surpassed in works by other main categories such as History and Literature, again displaying an enlightenment orientation within a traditional classification system, in which Theology is still listed as ‘Classis Prima’.
Subsequently, this will pave the way for further studies focusing on the most popular, and in some cases even prohibited, authors found within this collection, as well as serving as a basis for comparison with other similar libraries on the Continent.
Therefore, this research poster will visually display the representation of each category across the entire collection at the Bibliotheca Pubblica during the years 1763–1798. Finally, although still in progress, this poster will tentatively compare some enlightened subjects with other works which are closely tied to the Order of St. John’s raison d'être and its very survival.
Prof. Charles Farrugia
Department of Library, 福利在线免费 and Archive Sciences, Faculty of Media and Knowledge Sciences
The presentation maps the researchers’ professional experience negotiating hundreds of archival acquisitions from private hands over the last 25 years. It also plots the challenges under four different dimensions: a) legal; b) historical; c) archival; and d) emotional. It outlines Malta’s current legal provisions, as set out in a number of legal frameworks, and how they differ or align with European legislation in the sector. The same mapping is used to identify the challenges under each of the four pillars. Finally, the paper presents several proposals advocating for a new model on how such important process for the country’s national memory can be developed. It proposes new structures that aim to remove legal ambiguities, provide a tool to assess the historical and archival value of holdings, and train the negotiators to handle the emotional aspects of the process.
Mr Davis Poku Amankwa
Department of Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of 福利在线免费 and Communication Technology
The field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Natural Language Processing (NLP) has advanced significantly in recent years, particularly with the emergence of Large Language Models (LLMs). These models have transformed 福利在线免费 Extraction (IE) through zero-shot and few-shot learning, enabling the extraction of structured information from unstructured text with reduced reliance on large, labelled datasets. However, the use of a single LLM for IE remains constrained by hallucinations, the perpetuation of biases, and limited self-awareness when confidence is low – limitations that are especially problematic in the context of public records.
To address these challenges, this research investigates the potential of Multi-LLMs for information extraction and knowledge discovery from public records. The study focuses on public records in Malta and curates a diverse repository, including news archives, statistical reports, budget documents, survey data, geographic fact sheets, election results, research publications, historical texts, and annual reports published by the Central Bank of Malta. A set of domain-specific models specialised in these records is adapted, and collaborative frameworks are developed in which models interact using cooperative and competitive collaboration strategies, complemented by retrieval-augmented collaboration where appropriate.
The proposed multi-LLM framework is evaluated against single-LLM baselines, with emphasis on accuracy and reliability in extracting relevant information, generating insights consistent with established research findings based on Maltese public records, and identifying additional subtle patterns. The expected outcome is a body of research comprising effective multi-LLM orchestration approaches, an auditable extraction and provenance methodology, comparative evaluations against single-LLM baselines on Maltese public records, and a prototype implementation serving as an experimental vehicle for replication.
Mr Pierre Naulin
Department of Youth, Community and Migration Studies, Faculty for Social Wellbeing
Aims: The study explores how the intensification of video game practices over the past decade in Europe is reshaping players’ socialisation processes. Acknowledging the diversity of intensive practices and their varied effects (from consolidation to social reconfiguration) (Berry et al., 2022; Servais, 2020), this ongoing research aims to redefine the concept of intensity in video game studies, through a sociological lens centred on players' biographical trajectories and the sociocultural contexts of play (Lahire, 2019, 2023).
Methodology: Anchored in the socio-anthropology of digital practices, the methodology relies on a multi-sited ‘In-play’ ethnography that combines participant observation of intensive practices in virtual worlds and physical gaming spaces in Belgium, France, and Malta. This is complemented with biographical interviews involving a stratified sample of adult players and their close social networks (by age, gender, sociocultural background, and gaming experience).
Contributions: The research offers:
(1) theoretical advancements by reframing gaming intensity through contemporary socialisation theories;
(2) empirical value via comparative data from three European societies, enabling inter-societal and intergenerational insights into evolving socialisation processes, practices and discourses on video games;
(3) societal impact, through evidence-based recommendations for fostering inclusive digital cultures and well-being, demystifying video game engagement to promote balanced discourses on relational dynamics in hyperconnected societies.
Mr Sergio El Kesrouwani
Department of Classics and Archaeology, Faculty of Arts
Due to Malta’s rich history and its central location within the Mediterranean Basin, the waters surrounding the Maltese archipelago are densely populated with underwater cultural heritage (UCH) spanning a wide range of historical periods and diverse site typologies. The extent and variety of these UCH sites, as well as the level of preservation offered by their maritime context/environment, make them a rare and valuable archaeological and historical resource. As such, they provide critical insights into past human activities, maritime networks, conflicts and technological developments across multiple periods, significantly contributing to ongoing research and scholarly studies.
However, the very conditions that contribute to the preservation of these sites also pose significant challenges for their documentation and monitoring. Many UCH sites are located in deep or otherwise difficult-to-access waters, making diver-based survey methods impractical or unsafe, while logistical constraints further limit the scale and frequency of documentation efforts. To address these challenges, the Department of Classics and Archaeology employs an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) platform equipped with a dedicated camera module, enabling non-intrusive, high-quality camera-based photogrammetric surveys. This approach allows for the generation of georeferenced, scaled three-dimensional models, orthophotos, and digital elevation models (DEMs), providing robust datasets for research, monitoring, and digital archiving.
These datasets form a robust digital record that is essential for developing a long-term underwater cultural heritage (UCH) database, supporting site monitoring and research. In addition, the visual nature of photogrammetric outputs provides accessible, engaging material for public dissemination, thereby increasing awareness, understanding, and appreciation of Malta’s underwater cultural heritage.
Dr Emanuele Colica
Department of Geosciences, Faculty of Science
Sea caves are dynamic coastal environments where erosion, structural instability and limited accessibility make monitoring and communication challenging. This contribution presents a multi-sensor workflow to establish a digital twin baseline of Ta’ Marija Sea Cave (Ras il-Pellegrin, Malta). UAV photogrammetry of the cliff façade is integrated with close-range terrestrial imagery and snorkelling-based underwater acquisition, and cross-checked with a short-range smartphone LiDAR patch for local scale control. Datasets are processed and merged in Agisoft Metashape using a Structure-from-Motion/Multi-View Stereo pipeline with image quality screening, high-accuracy alignment, dense reconstruction, and mesh/texture generation. The resulting integrated model provides a unified, georeferenced representation of above- and below-water cave geometry and supports metric inspection, including measurements of the cave opening width and internal height. We position the output as a baseline suitable for multi-temporal updates and change detection, and outline a Level-of-Detail strategy for efficient XR delivery to support outreach, remote visual inspection and coastal hazard communication.
Ms Joanna Causon Deguara
Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts
Coastal boulder deposits (CBD) represent significant geomorphic expressions of high-energy coastal processes, formed through the detachment, transport, and accumulation of large clasts along rocky shorelines. In recent years, storm-driven wave activity has been increasingly recognised as a key driver in the development and modification of these deposits. Despite this, the physical controls on boulder mobilisation and the relationship between hydrodynamic forcing and boulder characteristics are not yet fully resolved.
This study aims to characterise boulder transport events and assess their occurrence over a two-year monitoring period. Investigations are being undertaken at three coastal locations in the Maltese Islands (Central Mediterranean), comprising one site at Qawra on the northern coastline and two sites at Marsascala on the southern coastline. The sites are surveyed at regular intervals using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and detailed 3D surface models are generated through photogrammetric processing in Agisoft Metashape. Sequential model comparison is used to detect and measure changes in boulder positions.
To supplement the UAV-derived observations, 15 boulders at each site have been equipped with radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags, enabling their relocation following transport events. Boulder movement is evaluated with respect to size, shape, original setting, displacement distance, and transport direction, and is subsequently related to wave conditions recorded between survey campaigns.
Initial results from the first six months of monitoring indicate that boulder mobility is highest among disc-shaped clasts with masses below 0.2 tonnes. Substantial variability in transport frequency, magnitude, and direction is observed both within and between sites. These findings suggest that boulder displacement along the Maltese coastline is governed by the combined influence of wave energy, coastal morphology, and shoreline orientation.
In摹. Gabriella Muscat
Department of Electronics Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
Excavation in dense urban areas carries serious safety risks, as fissured rock masses can shift and damage nearby structures, occasionally leading to catastrophic collapse. Identifying discontinuities is critical for safe excavation planning in geotechnical engineering. However, existing methods, such as core logging, are time-consuming and often fail to fully characterise rock mass (RM) discontinuities.
Project RockSense provides a borehole鈥恇ased sensing platform that deploys a compact electronic probe equipped with LiDAR and a Normal Vision (NV) camera into pre-drilled boreholes as small as 63 mm. While the existing system offers a promising solution, its operational use is limited by insufficient accuracy and reliability, as well as impractical 3D-scanning times of approximately 3 hours per meter of borehole.
This research addresses these limitations by improving the deployment of sensing hardware and the data acquisition. A rapid NV camera pre-scan is introduced to identify areas of geological interest (AOIs) along the borehole wall. Images captured by the downward-looking NV camera are unwrapped into 2D panoramic representations, where discontinuities, such as fissures, appear as sinusoidal features. These features enable the extraction of key RM characteristics, including dip angle and dip direction, which are spatially referenced using encoder and inertial measurement unit (IMU) data. Targeted LiDAR scans are then performed only within the detected AOIs, reducing scanning time. The fusion of camera-derived and LiDAR-derived data enhances the accuracy and reliability of rock mass characterisation. Overall, the proposed approach improves the robustness, efficiency, and data quality of the RockSense system, enabling faster and more reliable borehole-based rock mass characterisation in field conditions.
Dr Luciano Galone
Department of Geosciences, Faculty of Science
Malta TwinSpaces (MATWINS) is a two-year research project that integrates digital twins, artificial intelligence, and participatory methodologies to create a national platform for the interpretation of Malta’s cultural and environmental heritage. The project addresses the fragmentation of landscape documentation by unifying high-resolution 3D models, semantic knowledge structures, and community-driven narratives within a single open-access digital environment.
MATWINS will deliver a curated collection of more than 70 high-fidelity digital twins representing sites of geological, archaeological, ecological, hydrological and cultural significance across Malta and Gozo. These digital assets will be produced using UAV-based photogrammetry, terrestrial laser scanning, multispectral imaging, and selected volumetric techniques such as Neural Radiance Fields.
Artificial intelligence supports the organisation and accessibility of content. Natural language processing tools will assist bilingual content generation and semantic indexing, while supporting the classification of features within 3D environments. A concept-based search interface will enable users to explore landscapes through traditional Maltese terms, strengthening cultural relevance and interpretability.
Public engagement is central to MATWINS. Participatory co-creation with schools, NGOs, local councils, and cultural institutions will integrate local knowledge, place names, and narratives into the platform. Digital-physical trails will further connect virtual content with real-world sites, supporting experiential learning, education, and public outreach.
By combining advanced geospatial technologies, explainable AI, and community-driven knowledge, Malta TwinSpaces delivers an inclusive, reusable, and culturally grounded digital framework aligned with Malta’s priorities in digital innovation, education, and heritage valorisation. This project is funded by Xjenza Malta under the R&I Thematic Programmes – Digital Technologies Programme 2025.
Dr Chiara Torre
Department of Geosciences, Faculty of Science
The TEAMWIRE (TEchnologies and Advanced Monitoring for Water Infrastructure and Resource Efficiency) project is a multidisciplinary research initiative aimed at improving the resilience, sustainability, and efficiency of water distribution networks through advanced, non-invasive monitoring technologies. Water losses caused by hidden leaks pose a major challenge for utilities worldwide, leading to resource waste, increased costs, and infrastructure degradation. Early leak detection is therefore essential to support proactive asset management and reduce environmental and economic impacts.
TEAMWIRE proposes an integrated monitoring strategy that combines Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR), Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), and high-precision Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technologies. This multi-sensor framework is designed to provide complementary information on subsurface conditions while minimising disruption to network operations.
To assess and calibrate the proposed approach, a controlled field experiment was conducted, including soil physical characterisation and the simulation of a localised water leakage. The experimental setup consisted of a perforated PVC pipe buried at a shallow depth and two metallic objects, buried at the same depth and approximately 3 m away from the pipe, used as reference targets for known subsurface anomalies. Additional techniques – Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT), magnetometry, and thermal imaging –supported data interpretation and cross-validation.
Data collected before, during, and after the leakage event reveal clear geophysical signatures associated with metallic elements, empty pipes, and moisture variations induced by water escape. These results demonstrate the strong potential of integrating GPR and TDR measurements, supported by accurate GPS georeferencing, for early leak detection and monitoring in water distribution systems.
Dr Ariel Thomas
Department of Geosciences, Faculty of Science
Coastal regions worldwide face increasing water stress, making unconventional resources like Offshore Freshened Groundwater (OFG) critically important. However, characterising these vast subterranean reservoirs is hindered by the scarcity of direct subsurface data, and current predictive methods are either too coarse for local assessment or qualitative in nature. This study introduces a novel quantitative methodology to predict OFG distribution using machine learning (ML) trained on a synthetic dataset derived from geologically realistic surrogate models. The workflow involves generating numerous surrogate models of continental shelves based on globally available geomorphological data. We then run numerical simulations of variable-density groundwater flow on these models, forced by glacial-interglacial sea-level cycles, to create a robust training dataset that links geological geometry to OFG system characteristics. This paper demonstrates the initial phase of this approach, focusing on the continent of Australia. We detail the parameterisation of surrogate models into numerical feature vectors suitable for ML. Results from two contrasting numerical simulations confirm that key geometric parameters, such as the offshore extent of the primary aquifer and the inland topographic gradient, are first-order controls on the volume and distribution of emplaced OFG. This proof-of-concept validates that the surrogate modelling framework can effectively capture the sensitivity of OFG systems to geological controls. Ultimately, this methodology provides a viable pathway to overcoming the data-scarcity challenge, enabling the development of a predictive tool for rapid, quantitative assessment of OFG resources on continental margins worldwide.
Ms Sarah Fiala
Department of Geosciences, Faculty of Science
Groundwater systems in small island environments are particularly vulnerable to salinisation and climate-driven pressures due to limited recharge and strong land–sea interactions. In the Maltese Islands, coastal aquifers constitute a primary freshwater resource, yet regional-scale representations of variable-density groundwater flow and salinity transport remain limited.
This study presents a three-dimensional, density-dependent groundwater modelling framework developed using SEAWAT and Petrel-derived geological data to represent the coastal aquifer system of the Maltese Islands. To establish realistic present-day hydraulic and salinity conditions, the model was first simulated over the past ~20,000 years, accounting for long-term sea-level change and allowing the system to reach equilibrium. This equilibrated state provides the basis for forward simulations assessing groundwater behaviour over a 30-year future period.
The model simulates coupled groundwater flow and salinity transport under transient boundary conditions, including spatially variable recharge and marine influence. It is also applied to explore chloride transport from site-specific contaminant sources, such as landfills, allowing investigation of solute dispersion pathways within the aquifer system. The entire modelling workflow has been dockerised, facilitating reproducibility and transferability across computing environments.
Model outputs include three-dimensional salinity distributions, groundwater heads, and aquifer cross-sections illustrating freshwater lens geometry and seawater intrusion patterns. Ongoing work focuses on refining hydrogeological parameterisation and further evaluating model behaviour under site-specific conditions. The framework provides a flexible platform for assessing groundwater vulnerability and supporting long-term groundwater management in the Maltese Islands.
Mr Massimo Catania
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science
Two fluorescent naphthalenediimide (NDI) smart molecules were synthesised as AND logic gates for corrosion detection. The molecules were constructed in a modular format with proton receptors, either aminoethylenemorpholine or 1,1-dimethylethylenediamine at the imide positions and with a redox unit, aminomethyleneferrocene at the core aromatic position. The logic gates operate via photoinduced electron transfer (PET) from the proton receptors and redox unit to the fluorophore upon light irradiation. Studies were performed in 1:4 (v/v) methanol/water. The pKa values of both molecules were determined by fluorescent titration experiments. The morpholino molecule 1 has a pKa of 5.7, and the dimethylamino molecule 2 has a pKa of 7.8. Both logic gates exhibited a fluorescence enhancement upon addition of ammonium persulfate in a linear correlation with 4 equivalents of oxidant and plateauing after 8 equivalents of oxidant. In the ‘on’ state, a bright yellow fluorescence is observed on detection of high levels of acid (H+) and oxidant with fluorescence quantum yields of 0.1554 for 1 and 0.1331 for 2. In the absence of acid, or in the absence of oxidant, or in the absence of both inputs, the emission is ‘off’ due to PET. These molecules have potential applications for the early detection of corrosion in coatings and for the fluorescent cellular imaging of live cells.
Dr Emanuel Schwarzhans
Department of Physics, Faculty of Science
We formulate a minimal model of a quantum particle detector as an autonomous quantum thermal machine. Our goal is to establish how entropy production, which is needed to maintain the detector out of equilibrium, relates to the quality of the measurement process. Using our model, we perform a detailed investigation of the detector's key performance characteristics: namely, detection efficiency, gain, jitter, dead time, and dark counts. We find that entropy production constrains both the efficiency and temporal precision of the detection process, in that improved performance generally requires greater dissipation. We also find that reducing either the detection jitter or dead time unavoidably increases the rate of dark counts. Our work establishes a quantitative connection between entropy production and the quality of the irreversible detection process, highlights fundamental trade-offs in the performance of particle detectors, and provides a framework for further investigations of the non-equilibrium thermodynamics of quantum measurement and amplification.
Mr Hayden Zammit
Department of Physics, Faculty of Science
The ability to accurately perform quantum information processing (QIP) tasks is paramount for the scalability and efficiency of quantum technologies such as quantum computing and quantum key distribution. Quantum state transfer (QST) is a key QIP task that involves transferring quantum state between two parties, and the ability to do so with minimal error is pivotal for protocols such as distributed quantum computing and entanglement distribution. Even with idealised QST schemes that can perfectly transfer states, achieving this requires perfect timing sequences to extract the state at the precise time that it is fully transferred. Due to inevitable timing errors, this will always be inexact, which changes the state of the channel describing the transfer medium. Typically, this is addressed by resetting the channel between uses at a cost of time and energy. In this work, we consider the case in which this reset is not performed, leading, with each use, to the buildup of non-Markovian memory effects within the channel. We investigate the fidelity and concurrence – success metrics for state transfer and entanglement distribution – of this model of QST after n uses, considering channels described by U(1) symmetric Hamiltonians. We show that even relatively small readout timing errors give rise to memory effects which have a highly detrimental impact on subsequent QST tasks.
In摹. Marlène De Lavigne
Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
In recent years, lead frames have become increasingly important in microelectronics as cost-effective packaging solutions for integrated circuits, particularly in widely used formats such as Quad Flat Packages. Conventional μ-rough copper lead frames, typically finished with palladium- or gold-based coatings, rely on mechanical interlocking to achieve adhesion with epoxy moulding compounds (EMC). While effective, this approach is costly and highly sensitive to surface oxidation and process variability, often resulting in inconsistent adhesion and an increased risk of delamination during assembly and reliability testing.
To address these limitations, Non-Etching Adhesion Promoter lead frames have been developed as a chemical adhesion alternative that eliminates the need for precious metals. Despite their industrial relevance, the adhesion mechanisms of EMC lead frames remain insufficiently understood. Indeed, the literature shows significant discrepancies in EMC–lead frame adhesion values due to variations in front-end processing conditions and characterisation techniques.
Within this context, the presentation will outline the objectives and findings of a comprehensive investigation into changes in the surface properties of different lead frames throughout front-end processing and their impact on EMC lead frame adhesion.
A multi-scale experimental approach is employed, combining various characterisation techniques. The results obtained from this experimental approach and the correlation between surface chemistry, morphology, and adhesion strength will be discussed.
Ms Nicola' Agius
Metamaterials Unit, Faculty of Science
Calix[4]arenes are cyclic oligomers of phenolic units that act as versatile ionophores and can be selectively functionalised at their upper and lower rims. In this study, calixarene derivatives will be engineered to carry terpyridine sensor units on one rim, providing a defined coordination site capable of binding metal ions and enabling chemically triggered responses. The opposite rim will be functionalised to enable attachment onto micro-printed structures fabricated using two-photon printing. These microprints offer precise control over geometry and internal architecture, allowing the creation of metamaterials whose mechanical properties arise from structure rather than composition.
Integrating terpyridine-functionalised calixarenes onto these micro-architected surfaces renders the system chemically responsive. Binding of metal ions to the terpyridine units is expected to induce conformational or supramolecular changes at the molecular level, which may translate into measurable variations in the mechanical behaviour of the microprinted structures.
The main aim of this project is to investigate how the presence of calixarenes, and their subsequent loading with metal ions, influences the mechanical response of the microprinted metamaterial. Mechanical testing will compare structures containing empty and metal-loaded calixarene units. The findings may support the development of a new class of chemically tunable mechanical metamaterials whose properties can be modulated through reversible metal coordination.
Ms Katryna Grech
Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
The increasing accumulation of polymer waste presents a significant environmental challenge, particularly for thermoset materials, which cannot be remelted or reprocessed using traditional recycling methods due to their crosslinked nature. This research investigates the feasibility of combining two waste streams, post-consumer recycled polyethylene terephthalate and post-industrial epoxy thermoset waste, to produce a novel and sustainable composite material. Recycled PET derived from single-use water bottles is used as the matrix material, while pulverised epoxy resin waste is introduced as a particulate filler at varying ratios and particle size groups through a structured design of experiments framework.
The study focuses on evaluating the technical suitability of this material system through controlled processing and comprehensive material characterisation. Recycled PET flakes are dried and compounded with thermoset powder using a twin-screw extruder, followed by pelletisation and injection moulding to form tensile specimens for testing. Thermal behaviour is analysed using differential scanning calorimetry and rotational rheometry, while dynamic mechanical analysis and tensile testing are employed to assess mechanical performance. Microscopic analysis is conducted to examine filler dispersion and to assess the presence of agglomeration within the PET matrix.
By analysing the influence of thermoset filler content on processability, thermal response, and mechanical properties, this work aims to identify a more sustainable end-of-life route for thermoset waste by diverting this material from landfilling. The research contributes to sustainable materials development by proposing a practical approach to the recycling of thermoset waste within thermoplastic-based composite systems, with relevance to industrial polymer processing and circular material use.
Mr Luca Galea
Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
Electric vehicles (EVs) are central to global decarbonisation efforts; however, widespread adoption remains constrained by range anxiety and charging infrastructure limitations. Dynamic wireless charging offers a promising solution by enabling vehicles to receive power while in motion through inductive energy transfer embedded within the road infrastructure. This project investigates the feasibility of such systems within the Maltese Islands, using a staged and data-driven methodology.
The initial phase of the research prioritises public transport over private vehicles, as bus operations offer structured routes and predictable schedules. In particular, the study focuses on the island of Gozo, which offers a controlled transport environment and features an existing fully electric bus route, the Park and Ride service, making it well-suited for a pilot study. This route serves as a test case for evaluating wireless charging feasibility under real-world operational constraints.
Before assessing dynamic wireless charging, the project first examined the feasibility of stationary wireless charging at selected stops along the Park and Ride route. Traffic data analysis and operational modelling indicate that stationary wireless charging is technically and operationally viable for this service, providing sufficient dwell time for effective energy transfer. These findings establish a validated baseline for progressing toward dynamic charging scenarios.
Building on this groundwork, ongoing work integrates bus and charging system models into micro-traffic simulations using Aimsun to evaluate energy demand, lane positioning, and infrastructure requirements. The project ultimately aims to produce technical specifications and strategic guidance for future wireless charging deployment, supporting scalable electrification of public transport and long-term sustainable mobility planning.
Dr Javed Ali
Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSMs) are widely utilised in high-performance drive applications due to their high efficiency, power density, and reliability. Sensorless control has become an essential feature in modern PMSM drives, eliminating the need for mechanical sensors while reducing system cost and improving robustness.
However, accurate rotor position estimation, especially at low and zero speeds, still remains a significant technical challenge in sensorless control. In these operating regions, traditional back EMF-based estimation methods become ineffective, increasing reliance on alternative techniques such as high-frequency signal injection. The effectiveness of these methods is strongly influenced by rotor saliency, which introduces variations in the motor’s inductance as a function of rotor position.
This poster presents an in-depth analysis of the impact of rotor saliency on inductance variation during PMSM sensorless control. The study examines both geometric and magnetic sources of saliency and evaluates how these characteristics shape the machine inductance profile under various load and excitation conditions. By combining analytical modelling, finite-element simulations, and experimental validation, the work highlights the direct correlation between saliency magnitude and observability of rotor position.
Results demonstrate that higher saliency enhances the detectability of rotor position through inductance modulation but may also introduce nonlinear magnetic effects and distortions that require careful compensation within the control algorithm.
The findings contribute to a clearer understanding of how rotor saliency influences sensorless control performance and provide practical insights for machine designers and control engineers. Ultimately, this research supports the development of more robust sensorless PMSM drives capable of achieving improved stability, efficiency, and low-speed operation.
In摹. Yahia Ould Lahoucine
Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
Line-Start Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (LSPMSMs) have emerged as a promising solution for high-efficiency fixed-speed applications by employing a squirrel-cage and permanent magnets within the same rotor. This paper investigates the inherent trade-off between line-start capability and steady-state performance in LSPMSMs via finite-element analysis of machines with varying permanent-magnet excitation. The results show that high back-EMF configurations exhibit superior steady-state efficiency and power factor but suffer from significantly reduced direct-on-line startability. To address this limitation, a temporary auxiliary starting device with ramped voltage and frequency is proposed. Once synchronous operation is achieved, the motor is directly connected to the grid, avoiding continuous converter losses.
Mr MD Monirul Kadir
Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
This work presents the design of a proprioceptive joint actuator for upper-limb prosthetic applications. The project focuses on a novel raxial flux motor developed for direct-drive operation. The motor consists of an outer rotor, an inner rotor, and two axial flux sections located above and below the stator. This configuration is chosen to increase torque density within a compact volume.
The main objective is to eliminate the use of mechanical gearboxes. Gearboxes increase system size, mass, noise, and friction, and reduce back-drivability and force transparency. By generating high torque directly from the motor, the proposed actuator enhances dynamic performance and force transparency. This approach supports high-bandwidth control and accurate proprioceptive feedback. The actuator is designed for metacarpophalangeal joint prostheses (MCP), where space and weight are highly constrained. The raxial architecture increases the effective magnetic interaction area, allowing higher torque output than conventional radial or single axial flux motors of similar size. The design supports embedded sensing and low mechanical impedance for natural human–machine interaction.
This work shows that optimising the motor design can lead to more compact and efficient prosthetic actuators.
Ms Rodianne Sciberras
Centre for Biomedical Cybernetics
Individuals with severe motor impairments, such as those caused by neurodegenerative diseases or spinal cord injuries, often retain reliable control of their eye movements even when voluntary limb movement is lost. SmartGaze builds on a previous project that developed a hands-free system for interacting with smart environments using only eye movements. In this system, the user’s position and head orientation within a smart home environment are tracked to determine which device they intend to control. Users can then execute predefined eye gestures to operate the selected device, enabling functions such as switching lights on or off, and controlling televisions and air conditioners. Eye movements are detected via electrooculography (EOG), a non-invasive technique that measures the electrical activity generated by the eyes.
This project focuses on the development of an alternative eye gesture recognition system to that of the previous project. Specifically, a probabilistic machine learning approach based on Hidden Markov Models is being explored to classify eye gestures. By modelling the typical dynamics of different eye gestures, this approach aims to enable a more robust recognition of intentional commands.
The overarching goal of SmartGaze is to increase independence and improve quality of life by providing a reliable, intuitive, and unobtrusive eye-based interface for controlling smart environments. Current work focuses on enhancing system robustness and conducting user testing with individuals living with diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), including planned evaluations at Dar Bjorn Malta.
The SmartGaze project is funded by the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation.
Dr Natasha Padfield
Centre for Biomedical Cybernetics
Speech imagery (SI) is a highly intuitive brain-computer interface paradigm that could facilitate the control of external devices such as robots or computer applications through thought commands. An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a leading non-invasive brain signal recording technique suitable for these kinds of practical BCIs. However, the decoding accuracy of SI commands from EEG is too low to justify their deployment in a practical BCI. The SIDec project (‘Enhancing Speech Imagery Decoding for EEG-based Brain-Computer Interface Systems’) was focused on fundamental investigations into improving the classification of SI commands and developing more robust classification for practical settings. This project produced four novel contributions. Firstly, it analysed the classification performance of a large lexicon of words, linking it to the neurolinguistic literature. Furthermore, the scalp regions and frequency bands which contributed most strongly to distinguishing between imagined speech states and the idle state (when no command is being issued) were identified. This is important for asynchronous brain-computer interface development, where commands can be given at any time. Additionally, background noise, such as music and background chatter, was found to negatively impact classification performance, and domain adaptation was successfully deployed to mitigate this problem, resulting in a 6.32% improvement in accuracy. Finally, an asynchronous online SI-based brain-computer interface based on the project findings was implemented and tested. SIDec was funded by Xjenza Malta through the SINO-MALTA Fund 2023 Call (Science and Technology Cooperation).
Ms Graziella Camilleri
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
Products of conception (POC) with abnormal villous morphology are the result of hydatidiform molar (HM) pregnancies, non-molar gestations with hyperplasia, mosaic molar conceptions and hydropic abortions (HA). A HM pregnancy occurs when a non-viable fertilised egg implants in the uterus and develops into an abnormal embryonic mass with hydropic degeneration of chorionic villi. Hydatidiform Mole pregnancies are divided into two broad categories, partial hydatidiform mole (PHM) and complete hydatidiform mole (CHM). Diploidy is a feature of CHMs and HA, while PHMs are generally triploid and rarely tetraploid. Biparental CHMs are the result of aberrant imprinting from an autosomal recessive maternal mutation, whilst androgenetic CHMs are thought to be the result of abnormal parent-of-origin methylation in the androgenetic tissue. Thirty POC samples were assessed for methylation status at 20 germline differentially methylated regions (gDMRs) that reflect the parent-of-origin methylation in these tissues. The Implicon method was used to obtain bisulfite-converted DNA amplicons for Illumina MiSeq sequencing. Sequencing data was processed using Illumina base-calling pipelines, and then trimmed, aligned to Human GRCh38 and de-duplicated using Bismark tools. Finally, CpG methylation calls were extracted, and the representation of methylation for each gene and sample could be visualised. Methylation status in these tissues gives insight into the impaired development and excessive growth demonstrated by these conceptions.
Ms Marichela Schembri
Department of Applied Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health Sciences
Insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF1-R) is a transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor that mediates the cellular effects of Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), a hormone essential for growth and development. Impairment of IGF1R signalling has been implicated in various metabolic disorders, including osteoporosis. The GRIT (Genetics of osteopoRosis In MalTa; R&I-2022-007L) project used an extreme phenotype approach to unravel genetic variants underlying osteoporosis in Malta. Whole genome sequencing was performed on 100 individuals from the Malta Osteoporotic Fracture Study (MOFS, N=1300) with low and high bone mass. A novel, heterozygous nonsense variant IGF1R c.1722G>A (p.Trp574Ter) was identified in a 79-year-old female with osteoporosis at the hip (T-score: -2.5), having a BMI of 24.3kg/m2 (weight: 50.2kg, height: 144cm) and who had recently developed type 2 diabetes (T2D). This variant was undetected in the rest of the MOFS collection. The possible presence of a pleiotropic genetic variant contributing to T2D and osteoporosis led to the DETERMINE (DEcoding The gEnetic Risk eleMents of osteoporosIs aNd diabetes; REP-2024-027) project, whereby Maltese postmenopausal women with T2D and different bone phenotypes (n=100) were subjected to whole exome sequencing. A missense variant IGF1R rs1555463013 (c.2933C>A; p.Pro978Gln), was identified in an individual with T2D, osteoporosis at the hip (T-score: −3.4) and a BMI of 23.1kg/m2 (weight: 47kg and height: 144 cm). A second, novel missense variant, IGF1R c.4042C>A (p.His1348Asn), was identified in a second research subject with low hip BMD (T-score: −2.2), a BMI of 22.7kg/m2 (weight: 51kg and height: 150 cm), and T2D. The consistent short stature phenotype in the three individuals carrying IGF1R variants aligns with the known role of IGF1R in growth regulation. Indeed, further studies in the form of hormone measurements and functional assessment of the identified genetic variants are warranted to determine their underlying biological roles in bone and glucose metabolism.
Ms Martina Haber
Department of Radiography, Faculty of Health Sciences
Purpose: Endometriosis diagnosis is frequently delayed by a historical reliance on invasive surgery. This narrative review delineates a modernised clinical pathway, examining how non-invasive imaging can bridge the gap between clinical suspicion and definitive diagnosis to reduce patient morbidity.
Methods: The authors searched PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and HyDi for peer-reviewed articles (2019–2024). Using MeSH terms and Boolean operators adapted for indexing variations, 159 unique full-text articles were identified and managed via Mendeley. The analysis focused on the International Deep Endometriosis Analysis (IDEA) protocol and the emerging role of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Results: Analysis confirms that diagnostic accuracy depends on adherence to a strategic protocol rather than on modality alone. Transvaginal Ultrasound (TVUS) is an accessible first-line tool, but its utility is limited by operator dependence; the IDEA protocol is therefore essential for detecting Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis (DIE). Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) provides superior tissue contrast for pre-surgical road mapping, yet remains tied to interpreter expertise. AI-driven tools offer a solution to this variability, with studies demonstrating an increase in diagnostic accuracy for ovarian endometriosis from 81.0% to 94.0%.
Implications for Practice: Radiology units must prioritise standardised reporting and integrate AI as a ‘digital second reader’ within the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) to normalise expertise across centres.
Conclusion: The diagnostic ‘gold standard’ has shifted from the operating suite to high-reliability imaging. Combining standardised frameworks with AI support ensures laparoscopy is reserved for treatment rather than discovery.
Dr Jonathan Gauci
Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
Background: Both Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) are pro-inflammatory states, and while the diagnosis of MetS in COPD has been extensively studied, the diagnosis of COPD in MetS is poorly investigated.
Aim: The study aimed to identify blood biomarkers associated with COPD prognosis in people living with both COPD and MetS.
Methods: Research subjects were recruited from the Diabetes Clinic at Mater Dei Hospital, Malta. Following an overnight fast, routine blood tests were performed together with a respiratory questionnaire and assessment. Subjects were followed up for 12 months, and COPD hospitalisations and mortality during this period were noted.
Results: A total of 24 research subjects were diagnosed with both MetS and COPD. Blood C-reactive protein (p=0.030), alkaline phosphatase (p=0.030), and mean platelet volume (p=0.023) were significantly positively correlated with future COPD hospitalisations over a 12-month period. From the participants, 16.7% (n=4) died within 12 months. The following blood parameters were significantly lower in those who died compared to those who were alive after 12 months: lymphocyte count (p=0.037), haemoglobin (p=0.003), ferritin (p=0.010), and 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (p=0.032). The following were significantly higher in those who died compared to those who were alive after 12 months: serum creatinine (p=0.007), C-reactive protein (p=0.036), alkaline phosphatase (p=0.022) and brain natriuretic peptide (p=0.020).
Conclusion: This study has identified specific blood parameters that serve as prognostic biomarkers in people living with COPD and MetS. These parameters help clinicians to identify which patients have a poor prognosis.
Mr Nathan Vella
Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
Dysregulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway is a hallmark of many cancers, including lung cancer. AZD2014 (vistusertib), a dual mTOR inhibitor, blocks both mTORC1 and mTORC2 complexes within this signalling cascade. Protein 1 and Protein 2, frequently overexpressed in tumours, interact with this pathway and drive eIF4E hyperactivation, promoting cell growth, proliferation, and therapy resistance. We hypothesise that simultaneously targeting multiple components of this pathway may allow for lower treatment doses while improving therapeutic efficacy and reducing adverse effects. Based on this rationale, we investigated a triple treatment combining AZD2014 with antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) specifically designed to suppress the expression of Proteins 1 and 2. Cell viability changes with AZD2014 treatment were assessed on A549 (adenocarcinoma), H460 (large cell carcinoma) and H520 (squamous cell carcinoma) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines. Cytotoxicity of AZD2014 was studied via lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release together with molecular and phenotypic markers of cell death mechanisms related to apoptosis and autophagy. Magnetofection-mediated cellular uptake of different concentrations of both ASOs into NSCLC cells was investigated using flow cytometry, while western blots confirmed protein knockdown at selected ASO concentrations. The triple treatment was studied on both NSCLC cells and healthy primary human lymphocytes. The phosphorylation status of eIF4E was examined to identify changes in its activity with the triple treatment. Additionally, RNA sequencing was used to study changes in NSCLC mRNA following combination treatment. Furthermore, biomimetic 3D spheroid models of each of the three NSCLC cell lines were developed and characterised to better study pharmacodynamics in vitro. Cytostatic activity of AZD2014 was observed in both 2D and 3D cell culture models. Magnetofection induced a significant level of cellular transfection efficiency, leading to the knockdown of Proteins 1 and 2. Combination treatment resulted in synergistic effects on NSCLC cell viability, while no significant changes in viability were observed in primary human lymphocytes post-treatment. These results highlight the potential effectiveness of this combination treatment, which is currently being further investigated in both 2D and 3D models to better understand its efficacy and safety, with the aim of translating this research to in vivo studies.
Dr Marita Vella
Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein (AIP) is a conserved co-chaperone traditionally recognised as a tumour suppressor in the pituitary gland. Mutations causing loss-of-function in one copy of AIP can lead to the onset of childhood pituitary adenomas, commonly resulting in gigantism. However, recent studies in colorectal, gastric and pancreatic cancers suggest a more complex, oncogenic role, highlighting a dual functionality that necessitates further investigation. The MECH-AIP project aims to uncover the underlying molecular mechanisms of the AIP interactome in relation to cancer progression using a multi-omics approach focused primarily on colorectal and breast cancer cell lines. Using qRT-PCR and RNA sequencing, the study has already confirmed that AIP is overexpressed in colorectal cancer cells. From the proteomic front, we have already purified recombinant human AIP and have used it as bait in pull-down assays. Captured protein-partners were identified by mass spectrometry. Preliminary results from affinity purification-mass spectrometry have revealed several novel interacting partners from lysates of cancer cell lines. Notably, the well-characterised tumour suppressor p53 was identified as an AIP interactor. Other preliminary novel interactors identified include NUP210, ARHGEF16 and GRB7, all of which were also highly upregulated in RNA sequencing and are all strongly associated with cancer proliferation, migration and invasion. Through this research, we hope to elucidate a molecular signature within the AIP interactome that could serve as a diagnostic biomarker for cancer staging and/or a predictive biomarker for metastasis, thereby moving beyond current stage-based treatment models towards molecular precision medicine.
Prof. Byron Baron
Centre of Molecular Medicine and Biobanking
Colorectal cancer (CRC) frequently develops resistance to chemotherapy, including 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), partly through dysregulated protein methyltransferase (PMT) activity that promotes tumour survival and therapeutic failure. Plasma-activated medium (PAM), enriched in reactive oxygen species, induces oxidative stress and selectively targets rapidly proliferating cancer cells. However, tumour cells may mitigate PAM-induced damage through post-translational adaptations. This study evaluated whether inhibition of selected PMTs could enhance the anticancer efficacy of PAM, particularly in 5-FU-resistant CRC models.
PAM was generated using a custom non-thermal argon plasma jet and characterised by pH, conductivity, oxidation–reduction potential, and oxidative capacity. Its cytotoxic effects, alone or combined with inhibitors of EZH2 (tazemetostat), SETD7 (PFI-2), EHMT2 (A-366), or PRMT5 (EPZ015666), were assessed in CRC cell lines (HCT116, DLD1, LoVo), their 5-FU-resistant derivatives, and normal colon fibroblasts (CCD 841 CoN) using 2D monolayer and 3D spheroid models. Cell viability assays determined PAM IC鈧呪個 values, while Western blotting examined apoptosis- and ferroptosis-related signalling and global protein methylation.
PAM displayed stable physicochemical properties and strong oxidative capacity. Sensitivity to PAM varied among cell lines, with CCD 841 CoN cells being most responsive and DLD1 cells least responsive. Notably, 5-FU-resistant CRC cells showed increased sensitivity to PAM compared with parental cells in 2D cultures, although this effect was not retained in 3D spheroids. Combination treatment with PMT inhibitors did not significantly potentiate PAM-induced cytotoxicity.
Ongoing global and methyl-proteomic analyses aim to further elucidate PAM-induced methylation-associated stress responses, providing insight into the role of protein methylation in plasma-based CRC therapies.
Dr Alex Johnson
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science
A series of 4-amino-1,8-naphthalimide derivatives were designed and synthesised as dual- purpose fluorescence cellular imaging agents and DNA-targeting antineoplastic agents. The compounds are endowed with an intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer mechanism for probing the microcellular environment for acidity and/or oxidisability by a fluorescent signal. The optical properties of the fluorescent agents were studied by UV-visible absorbance, fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopy in aqueous methanol. Cytotoxicity studies across MCF-7, T-47D, MDA-MB-231, and MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cell lines identified compounds with growth inhibition comparable to clinically used Etoposide. Confocal fluorescence microscopy and phase contrast imaging suggest that apoptosis is the primary mechanism of cell death. These studies demonstrated excellent cell permeability and intracellular localisation selectively for the nucleoli, suggesting potential diagnostic or mechanistic applications. Circular dichroism studies provided evidence of intercalative DNA bindings. Topoisomerase II inhibition assays revealed potent interference with DNA relaxation and repair pathways consistent with antiproliferative activity. Further study continues to explore the bioimaging and anticancer potential of the compounds.
Mr Luca Galea
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
Ensuring the safety, quality, and efficacy of medical devices is essential for patient protection and public health. Signal detection is a core element of post-market surveillance, supporting the timely identification and management of emerging safety issues. This research aims to develop harmonised definitions and terminology for signal detection and management in medical device vigilance. A scenario-based analysis of signal detection and management practices was conducted through a structured literature review using Google Scholar, PubMed, and HyDi. Relevant European guidelines, legislation, and regulatory documents were reviewed to identify existing practices. Based on the findings, a validation tool entitled ‘Signal Detection and Management: Harmonisation of Terminology for Medical Devices – Validation Questionnaire’ was developed to assess the proposed terminology and definitions. The questionnaire was distributed to a focus group comprising representatives from medical device competent authorities. The literature review identified a lack of harmonised and standardised approaches to signal detection and management in the medical devices field. In response, a List of Signal Detection Terminology and Definitions comprising 30 terms was developed. Validation by the focus group (n=10) indicated consensus that the proposed definitions were clear, relevant, and suitable for regulatory application. The proposed terminology and definitions contribute towards a harmonised approach to signal detection and management in medical device vigilance across European Union Member States. Further research is ongoing to validate the terminology with a broader range of stakeholders, including economic operators, notified bodies, and users such as clinicians, supporting the development of a harmonised signal management framework.
Ms Maya Injez Camilleri Sacco
Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
Background: Patient expectations regarding medication efficacy, safety, and quality of life are primary determinants of treatment adherence and satisfaction (González-Bueno et al., 2021; Mitchell et al., 2024). In rheumatic care, discrepancies between anticipated and clinical outcomes can drive non-adherence and the nocebo effect, in which negative expectations manifest as physical adverse events (Faasse & Petrie, 2013). According to the latest survey (2013) by the Health 福利在线免费 Directorate, rheumatic conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, combined together affect over 60,000 individuals locally (Times of Malta, 2019).
Objectives and Methods: The present research employs a six-stage methodology:
(1) a systematic literature review to define key expectations;
(2) comparative evaluation of existing instruments measuring patient expectations;
(3) translation and validation of a measurement tool for the Maltese population;
(4) longitudinal clinical testing using the tool to monitor expectation fulfilment in patients initiating new rheumatological therapies;
(5) a three-round Delphi consensus to identify factors leading to unmet needs; and
(6) the design of a conceptual framework to address these gaps.
Tentative results: Early indications demonstrate that expectations related to individuals with rheumatic conditions are inadequately studied and that culturally validated tools to measure expectations are limited.
Conclusion: This study will provide a comprehensive understanding of the psychological and clinical factors shaping pharmacological expectations in rheumatic care. By identifying the contributors to unmet expectations, the findings will inform patient-centred interventions that align patient beliefs with realistic therapeutic outcomes, ultimately enhancing medication safety and efficacy within the healthcare system in Malta.
Ms Janica Mizzi
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
Pharmaceutical product shortages pose a significant strain on health services, leading to inadequate patient care and increased health care costs.
The study aimed to evaluate factors contributing to shortages, understand stakeholder perspectives on current shortages, and mitigation measures and the use of digital tools to address shortages.
Questionnaires were developed, one for healthcare professionals (HCPs) and the other for pharmaceutical suppliers. The HCP questionnaire assessed the impact of shortages on patient care, while the suppliers’ questionnaire examined challenges brought by shortages. Guidelines on the prevention and mitigation of shortages were developed based on the outcomes of both questionnaires.
Fifty-one HCPs and twenty-three suppliers responded. Twenty HCPs reported daily shortages, with drugs for the neurological system being the most common, followed by anti-infective agents and vaccines. Forty-three HCPs associate shortages with treatment delays and resort to substituting medications. Twenty-nine respondents perceive digital solutions as a means of mitigating and preventing shortages due to the availability of high data quality and forecasting abilities. Suppliers cited that manufacturing issues, Malta’s limited market size and the minimum order quantities were the key challenges faced with NHS stock more liable to shortages. Alternative sources, parallel importation and early forecasting were the most common methodologies adopted to manage shortages. The two guidelines provide recommendations to key stakeholders on preventing shortages and on an action plan during shortages, respectively. Insights gathered provide valuable evidence for policymakers, regulators and HCPs on the management of shortages.
Mr Gerald Chege
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
Background: Transitions from hospital to primary care are high-risk periods for patients. These transitions often result in medication errors, poor adherence, and fragmented care. Community pharmacists are uniquely positioned to ensure continuity of care in pharmaceutical services. Their potential contribution could be supported through elaborated pathways.
Purpose: Assess current experiences of community pharmacists with regard to supporting patients post-discharge and to develop a framework for supporting the transition of care for patients discharged from hospital.
Method: The study has two parts. Part 1: Review and thematic analysis of literature, identifying and adapting established post-discharge pharmaceutical care models for local application. Part 2: Development of a self-administered questionnaire to assess current experiences of community pharmacists with discharge services. It was disseminated to all community pharmacists through the Pharmacy Council of Malta. Part 3: A framework is developed and validated for content and practicality through a focus group.
Results: Key components of the community pharmacy post-discharge pharmaceutical service models identified in the literature review include training, communication, referrals, access to patient data, consultation, documentation, action planning, and continuous professional development. A total of 41 responses were received:
Discussion: This research project makes a significant contribution to optimising the role of community pharmacists in Malta’s healthcare system, particularly in the context of post-discharge care, and aligns with the priorities of the Maltese National Health Strategy 2023–2030, which emphasises enhanced provider collaboration and a shift towards community-based services.
Ms Fidan Mirzayeva
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
The European Union’s pharmaceutical legislation reform aims to improve availability and access, strengthen governance of shortages and regulatory processes, and recalibrate innovation incentives. Implementation will be successful depending on enforceability and capacity, and on integration with national pathways such as health technology assessments, pricing, and procurement. This study evaluated the draft EU pharmaceutical package (proposed Regulation and Directive) and compared it with the US and Türkiye.
A comparative documentary analysis was undertaken using peer-reviewed literature, the draft EU texts, and US and Turkish regulatory sources. Findings were triangulated with a Malta case study based on two stakeholder sessions (n=10). Likert ratings (1–5) were reported only when clearly stated, and qualitative findings were quantified as counts of expressed positions.
The draft EU package aims to shorten the centralised assessment period from 210 to 180 days and to simplify medicines governance from five scientific committees to two. In the US, the Food and Drug Administration uses four expedited programmes. Priority Review targets 6 months versus 10 months under standard review. In Türkiye, the statutory licensing timeframe is 210 days, with a 90-day route for defined applications.
In Malta, case study familiarity with the reform was moderate among numeric respondents (mean 3.30/5; n=5). Feasibility and enforceability concerns were raised by 7/10 stakeholders, and evidence issues by 6/10. Launch-and-supply conditionality drew scepticism (2/10 negative and 2/10 mixed), including a 1/5 workability score. Article 56A-type leverage was mainly mixed (3/10), with one effectiveness rating of 3–4/5.
Overall, findings suggest that operational deliverability will determine whether reform improves real-world access in small markets.
Ms Kairylle Joy Mina
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
Home-use medical devices, such as blood glucose monitors (BGM) and blood pressure monitors (BPM), serve as essential tools for self-management in patients with chronic diseases. Proficiency gaps persist, compromising patient safety and therapeutic outcomes driven by factors such as limited health literacy, cognitive decline, and socioeconomic barriers. Community pharmacists, with their accessibility and expertise in medication reviews, represent a strategic intervention point, yet no standardised toolkit exists for medical device use review (MDUR). The research aims to establish a toolkit for a pharmacist-led use review of home-use medical devices. A mixed-method design is adopted. Phase 1: Systematic literature review (PubMed, ProQuest, Google Scholar, last 10 years), Phase 2: Development and validation of the Toolkit by a five-member multidisciplinary expert panel, Phase 3: Piloting in a community pharmacy with 60 participants. PRISMA-guided systematic literature review of 148 studies identified four thematic domains: (1) Effectiveness of pharmacist-led interventions in improving device proficiency and adherence; (2) Predictors of proficiency, including patients’ age, education, and health literacy; (3) Multilevel barriers such as pharmacist knowledge gaps, workflow constraints, lack of standardisation, access issues, technical design flaws; and (4) Facilitators for pharmacist contribution to patient use of medical devices. The Toolkit is intended to be completed by the pharmacist during medical device use review, and consists of demographics, a checklist assessing appropriateness of device use, and an information leaflet. The developed Toolkit will be applied in a community pharmacy setting to assess its practicality, feasibility and utility in providing a standardised approach in medical device use review.
Ms Valentina Sammut
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
Aim: Development of a User Guidance Document (UGD) to support the application of the Quality Assurance Signal Analytics (QAS) Framework within pharmaceutical regulatory contexts.
Objective: To operationalise QAS management by translating theoretical constructs into an actionable, auditable, and user-centred guidance instrument.
Method: The development process was guided by iterative, expert-informed refinements. Initial conceptual requirements were informed by a SWOT analysis to identify structural, methodological, and governance gaps in existing quality management practices. The UGD was developed through the integration of (i) core definitions, (ii) two dual-criteria analytical models (Model A: QMS Concepts–Based and Model B: Principle-Driven), (iii) workflows, (iv) visual process maps, (v) supporting templates, and (vi) documentation control measures. The documentation control components comprise role allocation, communication and escalation pathways, key performance indicators, and the QAS Management Logbook template, embedded to support user comprehension, traceability, and audit readiness. An expert panel (n=7) conducted validation to assess the UGD’s operational applicability.
Results: The consolidated UGD comprised eight interlinked sections providing a coherent progression from conceptual orientation to analytical application, escalation pathways, documentation, and performance integration. The structured tools – Systematic Quality Signal Extraction Framework and QAS Management Logbook – enabled standardised documentation, traceability, and audit readiness across the quality assurance signal lifecycle. Expert panel consensus confirmed that the UGD improved conceptual clarity, reduced interpretative variability, and facilitated seamless integration of QAS management within ISO9001 governance structures.
Conclusion: The development of the UGD demonstrated that a flexible, user-centred quality management document improves the practical implementation of QAS management and contributes to the maturation of the regulatory quality system.
Ms Stefanie Farrugia
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic made it impossible for good manufacturing practice (GMP) inspectors to inspect manufacturing sites onsite due to travel restrictions. One of the mitigation measures to maintain regulatory oversight was to conduct inspections remotely.
Purpose: To assess current practices, benefits and challenges related to remote inspections, to harmonise the decision process for the feasibility of a remote inspection.
Method: A literature review was conducted, and a validated questionnaire was disseminated to inspectors in various global medicines agencies. A risk assessment tool was developed and validated by inspectors and industry stakeholders through a focus group discussion, to serve as a harmonisation tool for assessing the feasibility of remote inspections for sites.
Results: Twenty inspectors responded to the questionnaire, of whom sixteen had previously performed a remote GMP inspection, mainly due to the pandemic. Inspectors indicated that communication and internet connection issues posed the greatest challenges. Eight inspectors agreed that the scope of remote inspections may be broadened, particularly for non-sterile manufacturing sites with a good track record of onsite inspections. The risk assessment tool is split into eight sections, considering areas from product and patient risk to manufacturing and process complexity.
Discussion: While remote inspections may be a useful tool where travel is not possible, they can’t replace onsite inspections. Body language and human interaction play a crucial role in the trajectory of the inspection, which are harder to assess remotely. The risk assessment tool developed is intended to create harmonisation when considering remote inspections.
Ms Mariella Attard Mercieca
Department of Health Systems Management and Leadership, Faculty of Health Sciences
Background: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) accounts for healthcare costs of around €4.6–5.6 billion each year in Europe (Kumar et al., 2023). Digital health tools are effective in decreasing healthcare utilisation and costs and may offer value-based care (Nguyen et al., 2022). To date, there are no digital health tools for patients with IBD on monoclonal antibody (MAB) therapy.
Aim: To identify digital health innovations in patients with chronic diseases, especially IBD, and patients on monoclonal antibody therapy.
Methodology: This scoping literature review was carried out following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews (Pollock et al., 2024). The protocol for this review was published on Open Science Framework (The Centre for Open Science, n.d.). A search strategy was carried out using the chosen keywords (inflammatory bowel diseases, monoclonal antibodies, digital health tools, quality of life and digital transformation). The following databases were searched: PubMed, Medline Complete, CINAHL, Cochrane Systematic Reviews and SCOPUS, for literature published between January 2015 and March 2025.
Inclusion criteria included:
- primary studies on IBD of any study design;
- monoclonal antibodies in IBD;
- digital health tools; and
- digital health tools in chronic diseases, including IBD.
Exclusion criteria included:
- studies not reported in the English language;
- conference proceedings;
- short reports;
- study protocols; and
- commentaries.
Results: This scoping review aims to provide additional information for the development of a digital health tool.
Prof. Stephanie Bezzina Wettinger | Co-researchers: Ms Francesca Borg Carbott, Mr Matthew Vella, Ms Charlene Portelli, Ms Eva Marie Esquinas, Prof. Mitra Barzine, Dr Josef Borg, Mr Diego Agius, Mr Yesahel Scicluna, Mr Edward Blake, Mr Luke Cassar, Dr Ritienne Attard, Prof. Melissa M. Formosa, Prof. Rosienne Farrugia and Prof. Jean Paul Ebejer
Department of Applied Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health Sciences
Much is said about the importance of quality control (QC) in sample collection and preanalytical variables with respect to multi-omics research. However, the quality control and validation checkpoints for each individual omics layer is arguably as important. Ensuring reproducibility, reliability, and meaningful biological insights from complex datasets with multiple layers requires a comprehensive approach that integrates QC at every stage of the study workflow. This presentation outlines the key considerations taken in the multi-omics studies TargetID and TargetMI for quality assurance and validation during the multi-omics data layer generation from 1000 samples from the Maltese Acute Myocardial Infarction (MAMI) Study. We address the comprehensive QC strategies implemented across the genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic layers. These include data integrity checks during data transfers; variant calling accuracy, sample swap detection, contamination checks, and bioinformatics tool benchmarking in the genomics layer for SNPs, indels and structural variants; and batch effect detection, assessment and correction, and handling of low counts or missingness in the transcriptomics and proteomics layers. We also highlight common pitfalls and best practices, with a focus on harmonisation across omics layers to ensure robust downstream integration. Overall, QC of each omics layer requires domain-specific insight and expertise, as well as sufficient time to assess comprehensively. By embedding quality control checks throughout the study lifecycle, researchers can enhance reproducibility and maximise the utility of multi-omics datasets.
Mr Andrea Gariboldi
Department of Applied Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health Sciences
Extracting knowledge from biomedical data is crucial for advancing the understanding of biological systems and developing novel therapeutics. However, the exponential growth in data generation has created a bottleneck: domain experts possess biological knowledge but lack the Machine Learning (ML) engineering expertise to translate data into insights. Existing solutions fall short: AutoML tools lack flexibility, LLMs struggle with reproducible codebases, and LLM agents underperform human experts. We introduce Agentomics, an autonomous LLM-powered agentic system for end-to-end machine learning experimentation on biomedical data. Given only a dataset and an optional description, Agentomics outputs a trained model with reproducible training and inference scripts. Unlike alternatives, Agentomics introduces strict validation checkpoints for standard ML development steps, enabling gradual development on working code with validated artefacts. The system structures the ML workflow into sequential steps while allowing autonomous tool use and decision-making within each phase. A reflection mechanism uses scalar and verbal feedback to guide iterative improvements across multiple rounds. Additionally, Agentomics offers native support for biomedical foundation models for fine-tuning and embedding generation. We evaluated Agentomics across protein engineering, drug discovery, and regulatory genomics domains. Remarkably, Agentomics outperformed human experts, generating state-of-the-art models on 11 of 20 established benchmark datasets. The generic nature of Agentomics allows users to create ML solutions for diverse datasets using various API-based and local LLMs, democratising ML capabilities for research laboratories facing the expertise gap in biomedical data analysis.
Mr Dimosthenis Tzimotoudis
Department of Applied Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health Sciences
Next generation sequencing (NGS) has revolutionised genetic diagnostics through rapid, low-cost sequencing of whole genomes or selected regions. The technique generates millions of short reads, typically around 150 nucleotides in length, which are mapped to a reference genome by comparing each read's sequence to an average healthy human genome. Differences between the read and reference indicate genetic mutations.
While NGS can analyse most of the human genome, many medically important mutations remain difficult to detect reliably. One reason is that some genes are highly similar to other genomic regions – a phenomenon called sequence homology. A notable example is pseudogenes – non-functional copies of a gene of interest. When a gene has highly similar pseudogenes, read placement becomes ambiguous, as reads match both the gene and pseudogenes equally well.
Our group is working to improve the precision of mapping short reads to genes with highly similar pseudogenes. Our aim is to identify reads that can be mapped with high confidence and separate them from those with ambiguous placement. This ensures that reads indicating a genetic mutation genuinely originate from the gene of interest rather than from similar pseudogenes. By detecting mutations with high confidence, this research can potentially improve diagnostic accuracy for multiple important genetic diseases.
Here we present PARADISM, a read-mapping and refinement workflow for highly homologous genomic regions. The pipeline aligns reads (paired-end or single-end), maps alignments back to a multiple-sequence alignment (MSA), refines to uniquely supported mappings, and produces gene-specific FASTQ/BAM outputs.
Dr Ajay Sharma
Department of 福利在线免费 Systems, Faculty of 福利在线免费 and Communication Technology
Modern healthcare facilities face the challenge of ensuring secure, high-speed, and interference-free communication across hospital campuses. This paper proposes the design and optimisation of a Free Space Optical (FSO) communication system tailored for Maltese hospitals, where electromagnetic interference (EMI) from RF systems and the high cost of fibre deployment are major limitations. The system provides gigabit-per-second data transmission while addressing climatic constraints through OptiSystem 21-based modelling and MATLAB R2024b. The design incorporates Malta’s Mediterranean climate, dominated by haze with rare fog, into atmospheric attenuation models. Results show that the system maintains reliable performance when rain attenuation is below 3.5 dB/km, achieving a Q-factor above 6 and ensuring error-free transmission in clear air with a BER of 7.14 × 10鈦�³鈦� and a Q-factor of 13. The link operates optimally up to 2 km and sustains receiver sensitivity (–35 dBm) up to 5 km at 17 dBm transmit power and 1550 nm wavelength. Unlike conventional RF-based networks, the proposed standalone FSO design is superior as it eliminates EMI-related disruptions to medical equipment, lowers installation costs, and simplifies deployment. It ensures secure, high-speed transmission of medical imaging, telemetry, and electronic health records, providing a cost-effective and scalable solution for sixth-generation hospital communication. This research contributes a practical blueprint for next-generation hospital communication systems, combining EMI safety, high availability, and environmental resilience. The proposed framework is particularly significant for Mediterranean and similar climates, offering hospitals a sustainable solution for reliable interdepartmental connectivity.
Ms Sephora Galea
Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
The pursuit of accurate individual identification, particularly in high-stakes fields like forensic science, demands increasingly distinctive and reliable biomarkers. While traditional biometrics have notable limitations, the human brain, with its unparalleled complexity, presents a compelling opportunity for discovering ‘functional fingerprints’. Realising this potential and effectively applying it requires advanced analytical tools capable of consistently producing accurate and precise results.
Project TARRAGON involves test-retest analysis and validation of the Vogt-Bailey (VB) Index, a novel neuroimaging tool that quantifies the cohesive strength of local, voxel-based functional brain neighbourhoods. Unlike conventional metrics, the VB Index uniquely quantifies the cohesive strength of local, voxel-based functional brain neighbourhoods, making it particularly suited for the identification of individual brain activity patterns. Preliminary in vivo studies have provided evidence of its sensitivity to task-related neural signatures across different imaging parameters. This inherent capability to capture detailed local network structures establishes the VB Index as a high-resolution tool for functional brain profiling. Before the VB Index can be applied in sensitive domains such as identity verification, its reliability must be thoroughly established. This project will therefore focus on validating the VB Index by systematically evaluating its robustness across varying scan durations, cognitive states, preprocessing methods, and graph construction parameters.
To achieve this, Project TARRAGON will utilise robust, open-access neuroimaging datasets to perform test-retest analysis on the VB Index. The successful validation of the VB Index will provide the team with a rigorously vetted, powerful analytical tool.
Dr Conrad Attard
Department of 福利在线免费 Systems, Faculty of 福利在线免费 and Communication Technology
Rising demand for older persons’ care amid workforce shortages has prompted interest in the use of artificial intelligence, humanoid and semi-humanoid robots to assist healthcare professionals, particularly as ageing populations worldwide intensify pressure on care systems. This qualitative pilot study in Malta examines whether such robots could complement healthcare professionals in their daily work in older persons’ care settings.
Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with nurses and allied health professionals, all experienced in older persons’ care, recruited via snowball sampling. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke, yielding themes around potential benefits, limitations, and implementation factors.
Findings indicate that robots may help manage and reduce overall workload in some areas, such as repetitive physical tasks (e.g., support for physical and social activities and monitoring), but not in others, including emotional care, complex decision-making, and building therapeutic relationships. Concerns included technical reliability, training gaps, and risks of dehumanising patient interactions. Participants further noted the importance of culturally attuned robot features, such as multilingual support and awareness of local customs suited to Malta's older population, paired with strong data privacy to foster trust. Ethical priorities included ensuring robots augment, rather than supplant, human roles to uphold care dignity.
These insights highlight opportunities and barriers to robot integration for workload relief, and further research is required to guide targeted development and policy in ageing care.
Ms Stephanie Sammut
Department of Applied Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health Sciences
Deep learning (DL) models now achieve near-perfect performance on a growing list of sequence鈥慴ased tasks, including transcription factor binding, promoter activity, epigenetic state prediction, variant effect scoring, or translation regulation. This apparent success, however, is tightly coupled to the quality of the training data; class鈥憇pecific GC鈥慶ontent skew, nucleotide or dinucleotide enrichment, systematic length differences, per鈥憄osition bias profiles, and inadvertent train–test leakage can all be exploited as features by DL models, inflating benchmark metrics while inhibiting true biological generalisation.
We therefore introduce GenBenchQC, a lightweight Python package for automated quality control of genomic datasets, which helps detect inconsistencies, biases, and data leakage across sequences, classes, and train–test splits, respectively, ensuring reliable datasets for model training. The tool is based on a panel of logistic regression ‘probes’ trained on simple sequence statistics (GC鈥慶ontent, k鈥憁er frequencies, length distributions, positional profiles, etc.). If any probe can separate the labelled classes above random chance, the dataset is flagged for exploitable bias. In addition, GenBenchQC scans the declared train and test splits for high similarity sequences, exposing hidden data leakage. The package is open鈥憇ource on GitHub (https://github.com/katarinagresova/GenBenchQC) and ships both a command鈥憀ine interface and a Python API that plug directly into existing workflow managers (Snakemake, Nextflow). Each run generates a concise, interactive HTML report that visualises bias statistics and highlights potential problems.
Applying GenBenchQC to >150 publicly released genomic benchmarks revealed that roughly a third contain nucleotide or dinucleotide biases, and the majority suffer from train–test leakage. Therefore, by providing a standardised and reproducible QC step, GenBenchQC raises the baseline reliability of deep鈥憀earning benchmarks in genomics, enables fair comparison of DL models, and helps the community to focus on genuine biological signals.
Ms Stephanie Savona Ventura
Department of Psychology, Faculty for Social Wellbeing
Adolescence is a critical developmental stage in which the management of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) presents profound psychological, emotional, and social challenges. The main aims of the study were to explore the illness perceptions, psychological beliefs and emotional responses of adolescents living with T1DM in Malta; identify the challenges the adolescents, their caregivers and their healthcare workers experience in the face of this condition; and understand better what coping skills and protective factors contribute to adolescents’ psychological adjustment and adaptation.
A mixed鈥憁ethods embedded design was employed in the study. Quantitative data were collected from forty鈥憈wo adolescents using the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ), the Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), and the Illness Perception Questionnaire–Revised (IPQ鈥慠). Qualitative data comprised 17 semi鈥憇tructured interviews with adolescents, incorporating an artistic component, a focus group with five mothers, and semi鈥憇tructured interviews with five healthcare professionals.
Findings revealed elevated emotional distress and quality鈥憃f鈥憀ife concerns, particularly around social participation, developmental milestones, and the demands of illness management. Adolescents’ accounts highlighted tensions between dependence and autonomy, pervasive fears and frustrations, and hopes for medical advances, while adaptive coping, supportive relationships, and meaning鈥憁aking emerged as protective factors. Expressive art proved valuable for externalising complex experiences and enhancing communication within support systems.
The study proposes a grounded theoretical framework of adaptation to T1DM conceptualised as a circular鈥憇piral framework, positioning the adolescent at its centre. The Core Processes of Adaptation are represented through five interconnected stages from diagnosis and disruption to adjustment and integration, facilitated by four processes: foundational internal processes, developing internal capacities, external influences, and creative expression. This framework advances the understanding of adolescent adaptation to chronic illness and highlights the value of creative modalities in psychosocial care. The main contribution of this study is the development of a holistic, systems-oriented grounded theory framework aimed at understanding and supporting adolescents diagnosed with T1DM while demonstrating the value of integrating creative methods into clinical practice.
Mr Yorick Mintoff
Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences
Background: Nursing workforce stability remains a global concern, with growing evidence that career aspirations formed during training shape long-term retention and mobility. Understanding how these aspirations develop and evolve during early professional transition is essential to guide workforce policy and education.
Aim: This scoping review sought to map existing evidence on nurses’ and nursing students’ career aspirations and intentions, particularly during the transition from student to qualified professional.
Methods: The review followed the JBI methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A comprehensive search was conducted across 13 databases, yielding 33 studies relevant to the review. Data were synthesised using the PAGER framework and interpreted through an integrated theoretical lens combining Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), Benner’s Stages of Clinical Competence, and Duchscher’s Transition Shock Theory.
Results: Five overarching themes emerged: (1) clinical placements and mentorship as pivotal socialising contexts; (2) strong preference for acute hospitals early in transition; (3) emotional turbulence and self-efficacy fluctuations during role adjustment; (4) evolving motivational orientations mediated by digital readiness and professional support; and (5) structural and equity factors shaping long-term trajectories.
Implications: The findings suggest that high-quality mentorship, early engagement across varied clinical settings, and supportive institutional structures are critical in maintaining nurses’ motivation and long-term career commitment. Implementing well-designed transition programmes and active career development initiatives may strengthen workforce retention and adaptability.
Future research: The review identifies a need for longitudinal, context-sensitive research into how career aspirations evolve over time. This gap forms the basis for the author’s doctoral study examining nurse career aspiration trajectories within the Maltese healthcare system.
Ms Joanne Schembri
Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences
Communication involves the verbal or non-verbal exchange of emotions, thoughts, and information. Good communication is essential for optimal quality of care. According to the National Statistics Office (Malta), half the healthcare professionals employed across the health system in Malta are non-Maltese and originate from various cultural and/or linguistic backgrounds. In this context, this study aims to describe and analyse nurses’ communication processes in a local non-acute multidisciplinary and multicultural clinical setting, and to develop a theory that explains such communication processes through a Constructivist Grounded Theory methodology, characterised by simultaneous and iterative data collection and analysis. The study is taking place in three wards of a rehabilitation hospital, where a multidisciplinary approach to patient care is practised and patients require rehabilitation or medical treatment that can be safely administered in a non-acute hospital. Data will be collected through non-participant and participant observation and intensive interviews with Maltese and culturally and linguistically diverse nurses, multidisciplinary team members, patients and patients’ relatives and/or relations. The data will be transcribed and coded according to Constructivist Grounded Theory methodology. An iterative process of data collection and analysis will be pursued to achieve theoretical sufficiency, thereby enabling the development of a robust theory that will contribute to a better understanding of nurses’ communication in the multicultural healthcare context. It is hoped that such a theory will indicate and inform organisational and educational developments associated with enhanced communication processes in the hospital.
Prof. David Mifsud, Ms Julia Azzopardi and Ms Simone Cutajar
Rural Sciences and Food Systems, Institute of Earth Systems
Chemical exposure in managed honey bees is known to influence the gut microbiota, yet most studies emphasise taxonomic changes rather than functional responses. This study examines whether amitraz, a widely used acaricide in Maltese apiculture, alters microbial gene expression within the gut microbiota of the Maltese honey bee (Apis mellifera ruttneri), focusing on the opportunist Serratia marcescens and the symbiont Bartonella apis. A total of 28 candidate genes associated with detoxification, oxidative stress response, membrane remodelling, and microbial competition were identified using KEGG, UniProt, and NCBI databases and validated through domain analysis. Species-specific primers were designed for quantitative PCR to assess gene expression across two hives: one treated with amitraz (J1) and one untreated control (J2). Sampling occurred at four timepoints, from day 0 to 4 weeks post-treatment.
Distinct expression patterns emerged between hives. The treated hive (J1) exhibited a pronounced expression surge one week post-treatment followed by widespread suppression, whereas the control hive (J2) maintained stable and active expression profiles. Principal Component Analysis revealed significant divergence between hives at both baseline and final timepoints. Thirteen of the 28 genes, predominantly from Serratia, showed significant differential expression (p<0.05). No recovery was observed four weeks after strip removal, suggesting sustained functional impairment.
Although limited by sample size and hive-level variability, these findings indicate that amitraz disrupts microbial functionality, potentially reducing host resilience to secondary stressors. This study underscores the importance of incorporating functional genomics into pesticide risk assessment frameworks for honey bee health.
Mr Roderick Abdilla
Department of Chemistry/ Metamaterials Unit, Faculty of Science
Although biodegradable packaging films from natural materials have been widely investigated, limited attention has been given to the use of fish skin gelatin as a primary matrix, especially when combined with non-leachable smart indicator systems. Due to its lower degree of cross-linked peptide units and shorter polymer chains, fish gelatin typically forms mechanically weak films unless reinforced via covalent cross-linking. The present study, conducted within the framework of the EU-funded NOVISHPAK project, reports the development of a novel water-resistant smart packaging film in which organic indicator molecules are covalently immobilised onto/within β-cyclodextrin or nanosilica particles and embedded within a gelatin/chitosan composite matrix reinforced with oxidised alginate and citric acid via imine and ester bonds, respectively. This unique covalent immobilisation strategy substantially reduces indicator migration, thereby improving the material’s suitability and safety for food-contact applications, particularly for Mediterranean fish products. The incorporated smart organomolecular indicators demonstrate pronounced visible colour transitions and characteristic fluorescence responses upon exposure to amines, pH changes, and selected metal ions, enabling real-time assessment of food freshness and contamination.
UM is a participating partner in NOVISHPAK. The NOVISHPAK project is financed by Xjenza Malta (formerly Malta Council for Science and Technology) through the PRIMA initiative of Member States, Associated Countries and Participating Countries, which is in turn supported by the European Union.
Dr Carmen Caruana
Department of Oral Rehabilitation and Community Care, Faculty of Dental Surgery
This longitudinal study examined the interrelationships among clinical oral hygiene, periodontal measures, and systemic health conditions in older adults residing in a long-term care facility. Repeated clinical assessments identified a high prevalence of neurological, cardiovascular, and endocrine disorders, which demonstrated significant associations with deteriorating oral health outcomes. Neurological conditions were strongly linked to increased tooth mobility and higher periodontal screening scores, while endocrine disorders, particularly diabetes, were associated with worsening debris accumulation and oral hygiene indices over time. Cardiovascular risk factors correlated with progressive gingival recession, highlighting the cumulative impact of systemic disease on periodontal health. Additionally, polypharmacy and the use of xerostomic medications exacerbated debris and calculus formation. Overall, the findings emphasise the need for integrated, multidisciplinary healthcare approaches to manage the complex systemic-oral health interplay in older populations residing within long-term residential facilities.
Prof. Josef Trapani | Co-researchers: Dr Ermira Tartari, Ms Monique Sciortino, Prof. Maria Cassar, Dr Laura Visiers-Jimenez and Dr Maria Isabel Baeza-Monedero
Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences
Introduction: Developing cultural competence among nurses is essential for delivering safe, equitable, and person-centred care in increasingly diverse healthcare environments. While nursing curricula emphasise intercultural awareness, evidence on the longitudinal development of students’ competencies and educators’ self-perceptions remains limited.
Aim: To evaluate the cultural competencies of undergraduate nursing students and nurse educators, and identify demographic and experiential factors influencing competence levels.
Materials and Methods: A longitudinal descriptive study was conducted at UM using the validated Cultural Competence Assessment Scale. Online questionnaires measured students’ self-perceived awareness, sensitivity, and behaviour across three academic years, and once among educators. Descriptive and inferential analyses explored associations with age, international experience, and educational background.
Results and Conclusions: Participants included 43, 38, and 34 students from Years 1–3 and 19 educators (response rates 51.8% and 70.4%). Cultural competence increased progressively across the programme (mean=78.2 in Year 3 vs 73.3 for educators). Prior leisure experience abroad significantly enhanced awareness in Year 1 and Year 3 students, while age correlated positively with awareness in final-year students. Among educators, having a doctoral qualification and teaching experience were linked to higher awareness and behaviour scores.
Findings suggest that clinical exposure, maturity, and reflective experiences foster cultural competence over time. Although awareness was strong, behaviour-based competencies require reinforcement through experiential and continuing professional development. Integrating longitudinal and interprofessional approaches into nursing curricula can further enhance culturally competent, person-centred care and improve patient safety and communication outcomes.
Dr Amy Camilleri Zahra | Co-researchers: Dr Maria-Victoria Gauci, Dr Danika Zammit Marmara, Ms Jasmine Gauci and Prof. Vincent Marmara
Department of Disability Studies, Faculty for Social Wellbeing
Cancer patients with disabilities face unique challenges in accessing equitable and inclusive healthcare services, often encountering physical, communication, and attitudinal barriers within oncology services. The attitudes of healthcare professionals and administrative staff can either facilitate or hinder the quality of cancer care and support received by disabled individuals. Research suggests that biases and misconceptions about disability persist within the medical and allied health fields, potentially impacting service provision and patient outcomes. This study aims to explore the perceptions and attitudes of healthcare professionals and administrative staff working at Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre in Malta towards cancer patients with disabilities. It presents the first phase of a broader research project which aims to examine how these perceptions impact patient experiences and outcomes. Prior to data collection, necessary approvals, including data protection clearance and ethical approval, were obtained. Participants consisted of healthcare professionals and administrative staff working at the Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre (n=166). Data was collected using the ‘Attitude Toward Persons with Disability in Health Care Tool’ and analysed using inferential statistics. The findings show that older participants tend to be more accommodating towards patients with disabilities. Participants in frontline roles also reported greater awareness and practical engagement. Participants with prior exposure to persons with disabilities scored higher in knowledge, communication and empathy and lower in discomfort in relation to patients with disabilities. There was no significant difference between the level of education and attitudes towards patients with disabilities.