Aaron’s groundbreaking study is attracting global attention

​Queen’s University student, Aaron Vage, has attracted international attention for his unique exploration of the complex world of stress and its effects on healthcare education.

Not only that, but Aaron has just published his first book, highlighting his cutting-edge research.

A past pupil of Banbridge High School, Aaron has since gone on graduate with a degree in Human Biology, before taking on his biggest challenge yet, as a PhD researcher at the KN Cheung SK Chin InterSim Centre.

His work aims to unravel the intricate ways in which stress affects the human body and mind during critical moments in the health system.

Aaron spoke of the motivation behind his studies.

“Within the fast-paced world of healthcare, the ability to remain calm and make informed decisions under pressure is not just a skill, it’s a necessity,” he said.

"Through our work, we’re peeling back the layers of the human stress response to understand how it shapes the educational experiences of future healthcare professionals.

“Our goal is to decode the stress-performance nexus and use this knowledge to enhance current training methods, ensuring healthcare professionals are not only skilled, but also resilient in the face of real-world challenges.”

Aaron has already made significant contributions to the field of healthcare education, which could potentially transform how professionals are trained for the challenging realities of medical practice.

In April, the Banbridge man is set to expand his research horizons by partnering with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in the USA.

This trans-Atlantic partnership will lay the foundations for a $250,000 funding application.

Aaron said he is humbled by the international attention his research has received.

“This recognition is not just a personal milestone, but a testament to the collective effort and dedication of our team.

"Our research has two aims: firstly, we will assess the impact of trauma simulations upon healthcare professionals stress levels and performance.

“Secondly; we will design a research proposal in partnership with a university-affiliated organisation known as BioVentures, for $250,000.”

This funding will secure a two-year postdoctoral position, during which, Aaron and his team will develop a new device-based metric to measure stress.

As well as this, Aaron has just published his first book titled, ‘Unmasking Stress: Insights into the Invisible’, which is available to purchase now on Amazon.

Aaron said he is “delighted” to share his studies with the world.

“The decision stemmed from my desire to bridge the gap between academic research and everyday life.

“I believe science should be accessible to all, so this book considers the concept of stress, in a way that’s relatable to a broad audience.”