Find Academic Supervisors

• Biomechanics
• Biomimetics
• Bio-inspired Structures
• +14 more

Renate Sachse is a Researcher at the Chair of Structural Analysis, Technical University of Munich (TUM), where she has worked since May 2024. Previously, she held postdoctoral positions at Harvard University's Bertoldi Lab (2024) and TUM's Chair of Computational Mechanics (2021-2024), following academic staff roles at the University of Stuttgart (2015-2020). Her interdisciplinary work bridges civil engineering, biomechanics, and computational modeling. Her educational foundation includes a Master's in Civil Engineering from the University of Stuttgart (2014; thesis: 'Isogeometric contact analysis of thin-walled structures') and a Bachelor's from the same institution (2011; thesis: 'A Primary School Pavilion for Magagula in South Africa - Structural Analysis'). She also completed ERASMUS studies at ESTP Paris and internships at Foster + Partners and Werner Sobek AG. Dr. Sachse's research centers on biomechanics and biomimetics, with pioneering work on plant-inspired structures. She investigates snapping mechanisms in carnivorous plants (Venus flytrap, waterwheel plant) to develop bio-inspired adaptive systems, soft robotics, and metamaterials. Her expertise spans motion design for large-deformation structures, isogeometric analysis, and hygroscopic actuation in 4D-printed materials, emphasizing computational modeling of contact mechanics and structural stability. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals a dominant focus on biomechanics (60% of articles), particularly plant movement mechanics translated into engineering solutions. Her work consistently integrates computational structural analysis with biological principles, showing increasing emphasis on motion design (25% of recent output) and additive manufacturing applications (15%). Key trends include translating snap-buckling phenomena into robotics and developing material design spaces for responsive structures. Her distinguished awards include the Bertha Benz Prize (2022), Klaus Tschira Boost Fund Fellowship (2022-2024), and University of Stuttgart Publication Award (2022). Additional recognition comprises GAMM Juniors Fellowship (2020-2022), AVK Innovation Award (2017), and Emil Mörsch Study Prize (2014). She has secured independent funding through the Klaus Tschira Boost Fund for high-risk interdisciplinary projects and participates in collaborative initiatives including CoDA, MistralWind, WINSENT, and FlexWing. While teaching advanced courses at TUM (Advanced Finite Element Methods, Theory of Plates), her mentorship focuses on computational mechanics and biomimetic design principles. Currently based at TUM's Chair of Structural Analysis under Prof. Bletzinger, she maintains active collaboration with Harvard University's Bertoldi Lab in developing next-generation adaptive structures.

Alex MouzakitisView profile

Lecturer

• Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy
• Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
• Clinical Reasoning
• +5 more

Alex Mouzakitis is a Lecturer in Physiotherapy within the Faculty of Health, Education and Society at the University of Northampton, where he contributes to the MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-registration) programme. He combines extensive clinical experience with innovative teaching methods to develop competent, reflective physiotherapy practitioners. Educational Background: BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy, First-class, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece (2015) MSc in Musculoskeletal Healthcare and Rehabilitation, University College London (2016) Alex's research and teaching focus on cardiorespiratory physiotherapy and musculoskeletal rehabilitation , emphasizing clinical reasoning and the integration of simulation and digital tools in education. His experience in ICU settings during the COVID-19 pandemic solidified his expertise in managing complex, critically ill patients. He also explored shoulder joint biomechanics in his MSc dissertation, focusing on rotator cuff activation patterns. Although no peer-reviewed publications are listed, his academic and clinical work centers on evidence-based approaches to physiotherapy, particularly in cardiorespiratory care and professional development. He is currently working toward Fellowship Accreditation in Higher Education, reflecting his commitment to pedagogical excellence. Scientific Awards and Honors: Alex supervises student learning through module leadership and clinical instruction, though no formal advisees are listed. He has been instrumental in delivering key modules such as PHYM002: Evidence-Based Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy and PHY3001: Developing Professionalism and Collaborative Practice . He also maintains active clinical practice as a cardiorespiratory physiotherapy specialist in a private clinic in Northamptonshire, ensuring his teaching remains grounded in real-world application. Alex is involved in curriculum development and simulation-based teaching, contributing to a dynamic and responsive learning environment. His interdisciplinary approach bridges clinical expertise with educational innovation, preparing students for the evolving healthcare landscape.

Fumiya IidaView profile

Researcher

• bio-inspired robotics
• evolutionary robotics
• soft robotics
• +3 more

Dr. Fumiya Iida is a researcher affiliated with the University of Cambridge , contributing to interdisciplinary research through Cambridge Reproduction and the Department of Engineering . His work spans bio-inspired robotics , soft robotics , and embodied intelligence , with a focus on biomechanics and human-robot interaction. His research integrates evolutionary robotics , reservoir computing , and tactile sensing , aiming to bridge engineering, physiology, and synthetic biology. Recent publications highlight innovations in Soft robotic actuation Robust control systems Multimodal sensor integration Human-robot collaborative tasks Dr. Iida's 15 most recent 2025 articles emphasize reservoir computing , soft sensor design , and adaptive motor coordination , reflecting his commitment to advancing embodied intelligence in robotics. No formal awards or student advisement details were found in the provided texts.

Arash AramiView profile

Associate Professor

• Assistive Robotics
• Human-Robot Interaction
• Machine Learning
• +6 more

Arash Arami is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering at the University of Waterloo, cross-appointed in Systems Design Engineering. He directs the Neuromechanics and Assistive Robotics Laboratory and maintains affiliations with Waterloo Robohub, the Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Waterloo AI institute, and KITE institute at Toronto Rehab Institute. He earned his Doctorate in Electrical Engineering from EPFL (2014), Master of Science from University of Tehran (2009), and Bachelor of Science from University of Tabriz (2006), all in Control Engineering. His research in Assistive Robotics and Rehabilitation Engineering integrates Machine Learning with Neuromechanics to develop intelligent systems for human movement analysis. Key focus areas include exoskeleton control algorithms, wearable sensor systems, and neural control modeling for rehabilitation applications. Recent publications demonstrate interdisciplinary work spanning robotics, biomedical engineering, and materials science, with emphasis on real-time human locomotion prediction, exoskeleton-human interaction, and data-driven health monitoring solutions. Dr. Arami serves as Chair of the NSERC Scholarship Committee (2021-2023) and mentors graduate students through the Mechatronics Exchange Study program. His teaching includes core courses in control systems, robot manipulators, and biomechanical engineering. The Neuromechanics and Assistive Robotics Laboratory fosters collaborations with clinical partners at Toronto Rehab Institute, focusing on translating robotic innovations into practical rehabilitation tools through interdisciplinary teamwork.

Ian StavnessView profile

Professor

• Biomedical Computation & Visualization
• Computer Graphics
• 3D Displays
• +6 more

Dr. Ian Stavness is a Professor and Department Head in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Saskatchewan. His research focuses on interdisciplinary applications of computer science, including deep learning in agriculture, biomedical computation, and 3D display technologies. He leads the Biological Imaging & Graphics (BIGLAB) laboratory, which develops tools for plant phenotyping and musculoskeletal modeling. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2010 M.A.Sc. in Computer Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2006 B.Sc. in Computer Science & B.Eng. in Electrical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, 2004 Research Interests: Deep Learning for Plant Phenomics & Agriculture 3D Displays and VR/AR Technologies Musculoskeletal Biomechanical Simulation (OpenSim, ArtiSynth) Computer Vision and Image Analysis Awards: ACM CHI 2019 Honourable Mention ACM VRST 2018 Polyphony Digital Award Key Projects: Deep Plant Phenomics Platform Parametric Human Project (Digital Human Modeling) P2IRC (Plant Phenotyping & Imaging Research Center)

Leia StirlingView profile

Associate Professor

• Robotics
• Biomechanics
• Human Factors
• +5 more

Leia Stirling is an Associate Professor in Robotics and Industrial Operations Engineering at the University of Michigan, serving as Associate Chair of Undergraduate Studies in Robotics. She is Core Faculty at the Center for Ergonomics and Affiliate Faculty at the Space Institute. Her research focuses on human-system interactions in robotics, biomechanics, and decision support systems. Key areas include wearable motion sensing for decision-making, co-adaptive exoskeleton algorithms, and space mission operations tools. Her group blends human factors, biomechanics, and robotics to design technology that enhances human performance in complex tasks. She leads the Stirling Group, which develops metrics for injury risk assessment, exoskeleton usability, and space crew readiness evaluation. Her lab’s work has applications in industrial safety, healthcare rehabilitation, and astronaut training. Research Thrusts: Wearable Motion Sensing: Creates metrics for musculoskeletal injury risk, balance rehabilitation, and quantitative assessment of agility/coordination. Exoskeleton Usability: Develops co-adaptive control algorithms and studies trust dynamics between users and wearable robots. Space Operations: Designs tools for astronaut readiness, human-aware robotics, and extravehicular activity planning. Recent work includes studies on neonatal ventilation systems, space inspection trajectory optimization, and augmented reality for sensorimotor assessments. She teaches robotics courses including ROB 204: Introduction to Human-Robot Systems. Her work has been featured at IROS 2023 and NASA-related initiatives. Lab Website: stirlinglab.org

• Machine Learning
• Reinforcement Learning
• Robotics
• +3 more

Georg Martius is a Full Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Tübingen's Faculty of Science and a Max Planck Research Group Leader at the MPI for Intelligent Systems. Since April 2023, he has been a core member of the DFG-funded Cluster of Excellence 'Machine Learning: New Perspectives for Science,' which received extended funding through 2032 for its mission to integrate machine learning into fundamental scientific discovery processes. His academic foundation includes a PhD from the University of Göttingen and Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience (2005), a Diploma in Computer Science from the University of Leipzig (2003), and a visiting research period at the University of Edinburgh's Division of Informatics. Postdoctoral positions followed at the Max Planck Institutes for Dynamics and Self-Organization (Göttingen, 2009), Mathematics in the Sciences (Leipzig, 2010), and IST Austria (2015). Professor Martius's research pioneers the intersection of reinforcement learning, robotics, and tactile sensing, with emphasis on developing autonomous systems capable of natural locomotion, dexterous manipulation, and physical-world understanding. His work bridges theoretical machine learning with practical hardware applications, particularly in creating differentiable simulators, superresolution tactile sensors, and biologically plausible learning frameworks for robotic control. Analysis of his 2024-2025 publications reveals dominant trends in offline reinforcement learning (especially goal-conditioned and diversity-maximization techniques), object-centric representation learning for video understanding, and tactile sensing innovations. A strong thread connects foundation models to world model construction, while his work on differentiable physics engines enables precise collision handling and contact dynamics for real-world robotic control. His leadership roles include directing the Distributed Intelligence research team at Tübingen and contributing to major collaborative initiatives like the Real Robot Challenge and Myochallenge 2022. The Cluster of Excellence appointment represents recognition of his contributions to transforming scientific methodology through machine learning, particularly in automating hypothesis generation and experimental design. Current projects focus on integrating large-scale machine learning with embodied intelligence, advancing tactile perception systems like the Minsight vision-based sensor, and developing neuroplasticity-inspired approaches for robust out-of-distribution detection. His work directly impacts fields requiring physical interaction intelligence, from autonomous navigation to medical robotics, with emphasis on sample-efficient learning from limited real-world data.

Juliana SamsonView profile

Lecturer

• Healthcare Education
• Interprofessional Education
• Medical Simulation
• +3 more

Juliana Samson is a Doctorate Student and Guest Lecturer - Simulation at Coventry University's Centre for Healthcare and Communities. Her work focuses on healthcare education innovations, particularly using artificial intelligence (AI) and simulation technologies. She holds advanced degrees including an MSc in Physiotherapy (Keele University, 2017), a Postgraduate Certificate in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (University of South Australia, 2006), and a Physiotherapy Degree (University of Sydney, 2000). Her research emphasizes interprofessional education and the development of virtual patient simulators enhanced by AI. Notable activities include invited talks on AI in healthcare education and participation in workshops on generative AI applications. She has contributed to conferences like the 13th International Conference on Serious Games and Applications for Health. Recent media coverage highlights her work on next-generation virtual patients using AI tools. Education: Physiotherapy Degree, University of Sydney (1996–2000) Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Postgraduate Certificate, University of South Australia (2005–2006) Physiotherapy MSc, Keele University (2012–2017) Grants & Collaborations: Ongoing contributions to interprofessional simulation projects and evaluations. Labs/Teams: Involved in the development of AI-enabled virtual patient systems through the Centre for Healthcare and Communities.

• Pulmonary Rehabilitation
• Chronic Respiratory Diseases
• Exercise Physiology
• +4 more

Marita Dale is a Senior Lecturer in the Discipline of Physiotherapy at the University of Sydney and an Early Career Researcher affiliated with the Charles Perkins Centre. She specializes in cardiorespiratory physiotherapy, focusing on exercise interventions for chronic respiratory and cardiac diseases, particularly asbestos-related and dust-related conditions. Her work emphasizes improving accessibility to pulmonary rehabilitation services and leveraging mHealth technologies for patient care. Education: PhD in Physiotherapy (2016, University of Sydney). Her research interests include optimizing pulmonary rehabilitation through mobile health platforms, such as the m-PR™ app, and investigating pediatric burn injury rehabilitation, including orthosis use and scar prevention. She also explores multimorbidity management and simulation-based learning in healthcare education. Recent studies have highlighted her contributions to COPD care protocols, telehealth implementation during the pandemic, and qualitative analyses of patient experiences. Major awards: Sydney School of Health Sciences Teaching Citation (2022), Ashurst Prize for Outstanding Oral Presentation (2015), Helga Pettitt FHS Postgraduate Study Award (2010). Marita supervises Honours, Masters, and PhD students, including Mitchell Taylor on airway clearance in bronchiectasis. Her teaching spans undergraduate and postgraduate programs in cardiopulmonary and musculoskeletal physiotherapy. She collaborates on projects like the Lung Support Service, a nationwide text message program for chronic respiratory patients during the pandemic, and contributed to the commercialization of the Perx-R app for pulmonary rehab. Labs/teams: Active member of the Charles Perkins Centre, focusing on interdisciplinary chronic disease research and healthcare innovation.

• Biomechanics
• Human Kinetics
• Biomedical Engineering
• +3 more

Dr. Ryan B Graham is an Associate Professor in the School of Human Kinetics at the University of Ottawa , with cross-appointments to the Ottawa-Carleton Institute for Biomedical Engineering . He holds Adjunct Assistant Professor positions at Queen's University and University of Waterloo , reflecting his interdisciplinary collaborations in biomechanics and biomedical engineering. His research focuses on spine movement analysis , motion capture validation , and sensor technology applications in clinical and military contexts. Recent work includes developing markerless motion capture systems, assessing movement reliability, and modeling spine dynamics for injury prevention. Editorial Contributions: Associate Editor for Biomechanics and Control of Human Movement at Frontiers in Sports and Active Living Dr. Graham's academic network includes collaborations with institutions in Canada, the UK, and the Netherlands, with a focus on advancing biomechanical methodologies and their clinical translation.

Dominika IgnasiakView profile

Researcher

• Biomechanics
• Musculoskeletal Modeling
• Spinal Surgery
• +3 more

Dr. Dominika Ignasiak is a Researcher affiliated with the Institute of Biomechanics at ETH Zürich. Her work focuses on spinal biomechanics, musculoskeletal modeling, and computational analysis of spinal pathologies. She contributes to understanding the biomechanical implications of surgical interventions, spinal deformities, and age-related changes in spinal alignment and loading. Her research integrates clinical data with advanced musculoskeletal modeling techniques, particularly in predicting postoperative outcomes and assessing spinal load distributions under dynamic conditions. Key areas include spinal stenosis, idiopathic scoliosis, and the biomechanics of spinal fusion surgery. Dr. Ignasiak collaborates on translational studies bridging computational simulations with clinical applications. Her publications emphasize the role of personalized models in optimizing surgical strategies and understanding degenerative spinal conditions. While no formal awards are listed, her contributions to spinal biomechanics research are evident through her active publication record in high-impact journals. Dr. Ignasiak is based at ETH Zürich’s Institute of Biomechanics, where she engages in cutting-edge research and contributes to both academic and clinical advancements in orthopedic biomechanics.

Meisam AsgariView profile

Assistant Professor

• Biomechanics
• Cardiovascular Diseases
• Biomimetic Design
• +3 more

Meisam Asgari is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medical Engineering at the University of South Florida. He holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from McGill University (2015), with postdoctoral training at Northwestern University (2018–2020) and McGill University (2016–2018). His research focuses on biomechanics, cardiovascular diseases, biomimetic design, and functional gradients in biological materials. He teaches courses such as Transport Phenomena in Biomedical Engineering and Biomechanics. Education: Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, 2015 M.Sc. Solid Mechanics, Isfahan University of Technology, 2011 B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, 2007 Awards: NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship (2018–2020) McGill Engineering International Tuition Award (2011–2014) Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, McGill (2015) His research integrates experimental and computational methods to study vascular diseases, biomaterials for tissue engineering, and structural adaptations in biological systems like crustacean exoskeletons. Recent work includes developing decellularized aortic grafts and investigating collagen mechanics in diseased tissues. Publications span Acta Biomaterialia , Scientific Reports , and Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials , emphasizing biomechanics and material characterization. His work bridges engineering and biology to address clinical challenges in cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems.

Anthony A GattiView profile

Research Fellow

• Biomechanics
• Medical Imaging
• Machine Learning
• +7 more

Anthony A Gatti is a Postdoctoral Scholar at Stanford University's Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance and School of Medicine. His research integrates biomechanics , medical imaging , and machine learning to advance musculoskeletal health diagnostics, particularly focusing on knee osteoarthritis and exercise physiology. Education : Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science (McMaster University, 2021), M.Sc. in Rehabilitation Science (McMaster University, 2015), B.Sc. in Kinesiology (McMaster University, 2013) His research develops automated tools for quantifying knee anatomy and integrating anatomical data with biomechanical models . These methods analyze acute responses to exercise and long-term joint degeneration, leveraging MRI , deep learning , and statistical shape modeling . Recent publications emphasize AI-driven segmentation , exercise-induced cartilage changes , and biomechanical simulations , spanning journals like Magnetic Resonance in Medicine and Arthritis & Rheumatology . Trends include machine learning validation for clinical predictions and open-source tool development for musculoskeletal analysis. Scientific Awards : CIHR Postdoctoral Fellowship (top 1%), Mitacs Accelerate Entrepreneur, Forge Student Start-Up Competition Winner, multiple scholarships from McMaster University He founded NeuralSeg , a company commercializing deep learning-based MRI segmentation technology. Collaborations include Stanford's Digital Athlete Moonshot Project with advisors like Scott Delp and Garry Gold.

• Computational Physiology
• Cardiac Electrophysiology
• Atrial Fibrillation
• +7 more

Molly Maleckar is a Research Professor at the Computational Physiology Department of Simula Research Laboratory , Oslo, Norway. Her work bridges computational modeling, cardiac electrophysiology, and biomedical applications, with a focus on arrhythmia mechanisms, fibrosis modeling, and machine learning integration in cardiac risk prediction. Research Interests include: Computational Cardiology Ion Channel Dynamics Machine Learning in Medicine Excitable Tissue Modeling Cardiac Fibrosis Analysis Biomedical Simulation Scientific Contributions span 15+ publications (2018-2024) addressing atrial fibrillation, calcium handling, and AI-driven ECG analysis. Key collaborative projects involve patient-specific ventricular modeling and educational initiatives like the Simula Summer School in Computational Physiology .

Steve CollinsView profile

Associate Professor

• Biomechanics
• Robotics
• Prosthetics
• +3 more

Steve Collins is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University, with a courtesy appointment in the Department of Bioengineering. His research focuses on wearable robotics, biomechanics, and human-machine interaction. He leads projects on exoskeleton optimization, prosthetic design, and energy-efficient robotic actuators. His work aims to improve mobility for older adults and individuals with mobility impairments through innovative assistive technologies. Research Interests: Collins explores biomechanical principles underlying human movement, exoskeleton torque control strategies, and the design of devices that reduce metabolic costs during walking. His lab develops both hardware (e.g., exoskeleton emulators) and software (e.g., AddBiomechanics modeling tools) to advance assistive technologies. Key Contributions: He pioneered human-in-the-loop optimization methods for exoskeleton control, demonstrated energy-saving designs for ankle exoskeletons, and investigated how exoskeletons can enhance balance and reduce fall risks. His team also developed the 'Tripod' prosthesis emulator and electrostatic clutch systems for energy-efficient actuators. Grants & Collaborations: His work is supported by NSF grants (e.g., NRI: Small grant for exoskeleton control) and industry partnerships. He collaborates with clinicians to translate robotic innovations into clinical applications for amputees and aging populations. Labs & Teams: His research is conducted in Stanford's robotics and biomechanics facilities, focusing on interdisciplinary projects at the intersection of mechanical engineering, bioengineering, and computer science.