A Musical Journey into Heart Research: Soundtracking a Friend’s Doctoral Defense at the 360° Data Arena
In August 2026, my childhood friend and PhD Candidate, Niina Matthews, held a remarkable, immersive, and narrative-driven doctoral defence at the University of Technology Sydney’s 360-degree Data Arena. In her presentation, her groundbreaking new heart research (Bioprinted heart patches in cardiac care) at the School of Electrical, Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, was brought to life through patient stories, images, animation, narration, and music. I had the honour of joining this journey and composing music to set the atmosphere for the event.
The Data Arena project planning began a few years ago. Niina and I connected over Zoom and used various digital collaborative tools and platforms for storyboarding. When Niina described her research topic, it felt like being transported into the world of science fiction, except that these living, 3D bioprinted heart patches are very real.
“It has been a real privilege to be able to contribute to this research project where we are developing a novel treatment for heart failure. There’s a tremendous call for new therapies like this and I wanted to bring the human element to elevate the scientific content. The story of a cardiac patient and the evocative music tie these elements together.“ Niina says.
Cardiac spheroids bioprinted in hydrogel. - Confocal imaging by Niina Matthews, 3D animation by Thomas Ricciardiello.
Niina hoped to have music at her doctoral defence that would evoke the atmosphere of her childhood home, blending the natural sounds of the forests and birds of Finland into a calming yet celebratory theme. I began by sketching versions for the theme, and from these we found a mutual favourite which I then produced, recorded, mixed, and mastered. The main components of the theme were Finnish landscape and an elemental piano score.
The music was played when entering the Data Arena, welcoming the audience to the event and setting the ambience for the presentation. Afterwards the concept was described as immersive, striking, and emotionally engaging with an imaginative soundscape.
Congratulations to Niina on her tremendous and wonderful work, and thank you for letting me be part of this amazing scientific journey.
Read more
How bioprinted cardiac patches can revolutionise cardiac care? The Heart Unbreakers
Contact Niina on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/niina-matthews/
A version of the presentation will live on in the UTS Data Arena for sharing the research story with a wider audience.
Doctoral Defence
Niina Matthews, PhD Candidate
School of Electrical, Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering
University of Technology Sydney
Niina Matthews’s creative team at Data Arena:
Niina Matthews – Research and doctoral thesis, graphics & layout, concept design
Thomas Ricciardiello – 3D models, Data Arena production
Linda Dement – Graphics, concept development https://lindadement.com/
Annina Antinranta – Music, sound design
Elle Pendrick – Narrative contributor, lived experience
Images used in the blog:
Stills: Niina Matthews, Carmine Gentile
Animations: Thomas Ricciardiello, Data Arena, University of Technology Sydney
