Delphine Périé-Curnier is a Full Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Polytechnique Montréal and Director of Graduate Studies. Her research focuses on developing quantitative MRI techniques for non-invasive characterization of living tissue mechanical properties, particularly in cardiotoxicity detection and musculoskeletal mechanobiology . She leads the Bioperformance Analysis and Innovation Laboratory (LIAB) and contributes to the Institute of Biomedical Engineering. Education: Ph.D. from Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France Her work bridges medical imaging , biomechanical modeling , and finite element analysis to predict disease progression through pathomechanism understanding. Key projects include exercise-induced cardiac changes in childhood cancer survivors and spinal biomechanics in scoliosis. Recent publications (2023-2024) emphasize cardiovascular MRI for childhood cancer survivorship and hemodynamic modeling in left ventricle analysis. She supervises 26 graduate students, with completed theses spanning topics like doxorubicin cardiotoxicity , knee replacement stability , and spatial cardiac MRI protocols . Teaching includes graduate courses in biomedical design , advanced biomechanics , and modeling techniques .
Dr. Jill L. McNitt-Gray is a Professor of Biological Sciences and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Southern California (USC), serving as Director of the USC Biomechanics Research Laboratory. She also leads the Integrative and Evolutionary Biology Graduate Program, focusing on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of genomics, evolution, and physiology. Her academic roles include joint appointments in Biomedical Engineering and affiliations with the Center for Robotics and Embedded Systems, Center for Excellence in Genomic Science, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Education: PhD in Biomechanics (Pennsylvania State University, 1989), MA in Biomechanics (UNC Chapel Hill, 1985), and AB in Mathematics/Statistics (Miami University, 1980). Her research explores mechanisms of multijoint movement control, injury prevention, and human performance optimization across sports, music, and clinical populations. She pioneered biomechanical analysis of wheelchair propulsion mechanics and movement strategies in athletes and musicians. Research Interests: Biomechanics of physically-demanding movements, motor control dynamics, neuromuscular coordination, injury prevention in sports/dance/music, rehabilitation engineering, and comparative biomechanics in mammals. She integrates experimental techniques, computational modeling, and field studies to address these topics. Awards: Recognized as a Fellow of the National Academy of Kinesiology (2023), International Society of Biomechanics (2015), and American Society of Biomechanics (2013). Honored with the Hay Award (2016), Harmon Brown Award (2016), and USC Distinguished Professorship (2016–2019). Her mentorship was acknowledged via the Mellon Award (2010) and leadership of STEM outreach programs. Labs/Teams: Directs USC Biomechanics Research Lab and collaborates with the Sports Science, Engineering, and Technology Academy. Leads the GREU mentorship program and consults for USC Athletics, the Colburn School of Music, and Rancho Los Amigos Rehabilitation Center.
Enrique Ortega Toro is a Full Professor at the Department of Physical Activity and Sport within the Faculty of Sports Sciences at the University of Murcia. His research focuses on technical-tactical performance analysis in sports, particularly in football, basketball, and volleyball, emphasizing rule modification effects, youth development, and educational values in sports. He holds a PhD in Sports Sciences from the University of Granada (2004), where his thesis analyzed ball possession patterns and self-efficacy in youth basketball. His work spans studies on age-related performance evolution, equipment scaling for youth athletes, and psychological aspects of sports participation. He leads the HUMSE research group (Human Movement and Sport Science), previously contributing to UMUSPORT. He has designed health programs like UMUCARDIO and UMU Fortalece tu espalda, targeting cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health in university employees. Collaborations include analysis of sports competition rules and feedback mechanisms in coaching. Research interests include sports pedagogy, nonlinear pedagogy applications, and the integration of scientific rigor with applied sports practices. Recent studies address competitive equity in basketball, serve efficacy in beach volleyball, and the impact of rule changes on youth athlete experiences. His work bridges academic research with practical sports education, emphasizing holistic athlete development.
Professor Martin Graves is Professor of Magnetic Resonance Physics at the University of Cambridge, holding appointments within the School of Clinical Medicine and Department of Radiology. Since 1996, he has led the MRI Physics group at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge and serves as Honorary Consultant Clinical Scientist for the NHS. His primary institutional affiliation is with the Cambridge Mathematics of Information in Healthcare (CMIH) Hub at the Centre for Mathematical Sciences. His research focuses on advanced magnetic resonance imaging techniques with particular emphasis on hyperpolarized carbon-13 MRI for metabolic imaging applications. Key research areas include cardiac imaging for myocardial infarction assessment, cancer metabolism studies in renal cell carcinoma and ovarian cancer, neuroimaging of brain metabolism, and development of quantitative MRI methodologies. His work bridges physics, clinical medicine, and computational analysis to address diagnostic challenges in cardiovascular disease, oncology, and neurology. Analysis of his recent publications (2021-2025) reveals strong trends in hyperpolarized pyruvate imaging for cancer treatment monitoring, radiomics for plaque vulnerability assessment, and technical innovations in zero echo-time MRI. His research consistently targets clinical translation of advanced MRI techniques, with substantial focus on quantitative biomarkers for early treatment response assessment. No scientific awards or honors are documented in the provided materials Graves maintains active clinical-academic integration through his NHS consultancy role while leading physics research within Cambridge's imaging infrastructure. His work demonstrates consistent collaboration across medical specialties including cardiology, oncology, and neurology, with emphasis on developing clinically viable quantitative imaging biomarkers. The CMIH Hub serves as his primary research platform for mathematical approaches to healthcare imaging challenges.
Pedro Machado FRCP PhD serves as Professor of Rheumatology and Neuromuscular Diseases at University College London (UCL), holding dual appointments in the Department of Neuromuscular Diseases (Institute of Neurology) and the Centre for Rheumatology (Division of Medicine). His clinical work spans University College London Hospitals (UCLH) and Northwick Park Hospital, where he leads specialist spondyloarthritis and myopathy/myositis clinics alongside the UCLH needle muscle biopsy service implemented in 2023. His research program focuses on new therapeutic strategies and outcome prediction in rheumatic diseases, with particular emphasis on muscle diseases and axial spondyloarthritis. Recent expansion includes investigation of COVID-19 outcomes in patients with rheumatic and neuromuscular conditions. His work integrates epidemiological approaches with clinical trial design across multiple international collaborations. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals strong concentration in axial spondyloarthritis diagnostics (7 articles), COVID-19 rheumatology implications (5 articles), and myositis therapeutics (2 articles), demonstrating consistent leadership in developing classification criteria, imaging protocols, and pandemic response guidelines through major international consortia including EULAR, ASAS, and the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance. Michael Mason Award (British Society for Rheumatology, 2023) for clinical and scientific research excellence EULAR Honorary Member Award (2024) for outstanding service 15 total scientific prizes including four major fellowships Recipient of over £8 million research funding Professor Machado actively mentors through multiple educational channels including the EULAR Annual Epidemiology Course and UCL's Neuromuscular Disease Programme. His leadership extends to the needle muscle biopsy service he established at UCLH in 2023, alongside significant contributions to international clinical guidelines through his roles on the ASAS Executive Committee and EULAR steering groups. He directs research activities through the UCL Department of Neuromuscular Diseases and Centre for Rheumatology, collaborating with the Muscle Study Group, British Myology Society, and international networks including MIHRA where he serves as Vice-Chair.
Dr. Samantha Winter is a Reader in Rehabilitation Biomechanics at Loughborough University's College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences, affiliated with the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine (NCSEM). Her work bridges clinical rehabilitation, sports performance, and evolutionary biomechanics, with a focus on dysfunctional breathing and neuromuscular fatigue. Education: First Class BSc in Sport and Exercise Sciences (University of Birmingham), MSc Kinesiology, Master's in Applied Statistics, PhD Kinesiology (Penn State University), Post-graduate Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education, BSc Mathematics (Open University) Her research explores the application of opto-electronic plethysmography (OEP) for diagnosing breathing disorders, complexity analysis in neuromuscular fatigue, and evolutionary ergonomics of hominin hand evolution. She leads externally funded projects on real-time OEP feedback systems and fatigue mechanisms. Recent publications highlight trends in Breathing Analysis , Neuromuscular Fatigue , and Evolutionary Ergonomics , utilizing advanced methodologies like time-series modeling, EMG, and motion capture. Key collaborations include studies on chronic ankle instability and prehistoric tool use efficiency. Scientific Recognition: Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), 2019 She has influenced curriculum design and student support systems nationwide, with grants focused on breathing retraining and sports injury prevention. Her work intersects the Lifestyle for Health and Wellbeing and Sport Performance research groups.
Dr. Jorn Cheney is a Lecturer in Natural Sciences at the University of Southampton, specializing in animal biomechanics, particularly focusing on vertebrate flight mechanisms and soft tissue dynamics. He is affiliated with the Ecology & Evolutionary Biology theme and supervises PhD students in related fields. His research explores the evolutionary and aeromechanical principles of flight in bats, birds, and gliding mammals, with applications to bio-inspired technology development. He teaches 'Principles of Neuroscience' and oversees the Natural Sciences degree program. Education: Graduated from Lewis & Clark College (Portland, OR, USA) with a multidisciplinary background in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Conducted doctoral research on bat flight biomechanics in Kellar Autumn's lab, culminating in a dissertation on bat wing tissue mechanics and muscle dynamics. Research Interests: Includes wing morphing, membrane wings, tissue mechanics, evolutionary convergence in gliding mammals, and developing technologies inspired by biological flight systems. Notable projects investigate how bat wing compliance influences flight efficiency and how raptors optimize tail posture during gliding. Publications span aerodynamics, biomechanics, and evolutionary biology, with recent work published in Physics of Fluids , Journal of the Royal Society Interface , and Science . His work bridges biological inquiry with engineering applications, such as autonomous vehicle sensors inspired by mosquito flight. Grants and Collaborations: Engaged in interdisciplinary projects with engineers and biologists, including studies on avian gust rejection and wing suspension systems. Actively accepts PhD applicants interested in vertebrate flight biomechanics and bio-inspired design. Labs/Teams: Collaborates within the Institute for Life Sciences and Ecology and Evolution Research groups at the University of Southampton.
Rebecca Fisher is a Professor in the School of Life Sciences at Arizona State University (ASU) and Director of Anatomy for the School of Medicine and Advanced Medical Engineering. She holds affiliations at the Tempe Campus and leads initiatives in anatomical education and research. Her academic journey includes a BA from Stanford University, MPhil/PhD from Yale University, and a postdoctoral fellowship at Johns Hopkins University. Research Interests: Dr. Fisher’s work focuses on functional anatomy of vertebrates and cephalopods, bio-inspired robotics, and the integration of emerging technologies (e.g., extended reality, AI) into medical education. Collaborations with engineers bridge anatomy and robotics, while her studies on regenerative biology in reptiles and alligators explore tissue repair mechanisms. Teaching & Awards: A recipient of over 10 teaching awards, including the Basmajian Award and Gold Humanism Honors Society induction, Fisher emphasizes empathy and humanism in medical training. Her 2021 recognition as the first Latina Fellow of the American Association for Anatomy highlights her leadership in gender equity through roles in the GEMS Alliance and National Commission for Lymphatic Diseases. Professional Contributions: Fisher served as founding faculty at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, designing anatomy curricula and leading the Gross Anatomy Laboratory. Her research group, Organismal Biology, spans vertebrate morphology, cephalopod biomechanics, and educational technology innovations.
Thomas Byrd, MD, MS, serves as Assistant Professor in the Division of Hospital Medicine within the Department of Medicine at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine. His academic work bridges clinical practice with cutting-edge informatics research, focusing on improving hospital-based care through technological innovation and data-driven approaches. Dr. Byrd's research program centers on artificial intelligence applications in surgical and critical care settings, patient deterioration detection systems, and secure clinical communication technologies. His investigations span validation of deterioration index models, barriers to secure messaging adoption, AI-driven radiology follow-up systems, and earlier work in medical imaging and biomedical engineering. This multidisciplinary focus aims to enhance patient safety through real-time monitoring, workflow optimization, and predictive analytics in hospital environments. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2014-2024) reveals an evolving research trajectory from biomedical engineering foundations toward AI-driven clinical solutions. Key thematic clusters include: (1) AI applications in surgery and critical care triage; (2) patient deterioration monitoring systems; (3) secure mobile communication adoption; and (4) earlier biomedical engineering work in medical imaging and drug delivery systems. The publications demonstrate increasing focus on translational informatics with strong emphasis on real-world implementation challenges. Scientific Awards: No scientific awards documented in available source material Advising and Grants: While Dr. Byrd's role as faculty suggests potential advising responsibilities, no student names or grant funding details appear in the provided documentation. His research output indicates active investigation in clinical informatics but specific mentoring activities or funded projects remain unspecified in the source text. Laboratory and Team Affiliations: Dr. Byrd is institutionally anchored in the Division of Hospital Medicine at the University of Minnesota, though specific laboratory facilities or dedicated research teams are not described. His collaborative work appears cross-disciplinary, spanning departments of medicine, surgery, radiology, and biomedical engineering as evidenced by publication topics.
Prof. Giuseppe Vannozzi is a Full Professor at the University of Rome Foro Italico, based in the Department of Human Motor Sciences and Health. His research focuses on biomechanics, wearable sensor technology, and gait analysis in neurological and运动 disorders. He has contributed to studies on stroke recovery, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and pediatric conditions like cerebral palsy. His work integrates machine learning with clinical assessment, emphasizing wearable sensors for real-world applications. Research interests include motor control, neurorehabilitation strategies, and the application of inertial measurement units (IMUs) in movement analysis. Key areas include gait variability, postural stability, and upper limb recovery. Recent studies explore the use of auditory cues in Parkinson’s gait improvement and sensor-based interventions for stroke survivors. His publications span over a decade, with recent focus on advanced metrics for gait quality, instrumented clinical tests (e.g., iTUG), and the role of biomechanical parameters in aging populations. He has pioneered sensor fusion algorithms for yoga and sports performance evaluation, and his work on Golden Ratio-based auditory cues highlights interdisciplinary创新. He contributes to academic governance as a member of the University Quality Assurance Committee and has collaborated on EU-funded projects. Teaching responsibilities include courses on research methodology, movement therapy, and motor function assessment in health sciences.
Susan Williams is a Professor of Anatomy and Associate Dean of Faculty at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine (OU-HCOM), where she leads the Williams Lab in the Department of Biomedical Sciences. She is also affiliated with the Ohio Center for Ecology and Evolutionary Studies (OCEES) and the Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute, and serves as graduate faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences Biological Sciences Graduate Program. PhD, Duke University, 2004 Promoted to Professor, Ohio University, 2012 Active Principal Investigator with continuous funding from NSF and NIH Dr. Williams' research lies at the intersection of anatomy, functional morphology, physiology, and biomechanics, focusing on the motor control and sensorimotor integration underlying mammalian feeding and swallowing. Her lab investigates how complex behaviors like chewing, lapping, and swallowing are coordinated across more than 30 pairs of head and neck muscles, with particular interest in the development of mastication, the dynamics of soft tissues like the tongue, and the evolution of the hyoid apparatus. Her work employs cutting-edge methodologies such as XROMM, electromyography, and microCT imaging to study both evolutionary patterns and clinical implications, including oropharyngeal dysphagia in infants and lingual nerve injury. Her recent publications focus on the biomechanics of feeding, with a highlighted 2024 paper on tongue function in skunks, reflecting her lab's use of diverse animal models to uncover fundamental principles of oral motor control. The research consistently integrates comparative and clinical perspectives to address both evolutionary questions and rehabilitation strategies. Scientific recognition includes: Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (2022) Presidential Research Scholar, Ohio University (2020) Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award (2020) Outstanding Honors Tutorial Thesis Mentor Award (2019, 2020) Dr. Williams is a dedicated mentor and active researcher, serving on the NIH Motor Function, Speech, and Rehabilitation Study Section. Her lab is supported by multiple grants from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, including projects on hyoid biomechanics, development of mastication, and the effects of lingual nerve injuries. She has advised numerous students, including PhD candidates like Jacob George and Ani Smith, and has successfully mentored MS theses such as Hannah Baker's. The Williams Lab is a collaborative, interdisciplinary team utilizing XROMM technology and experimental physiology to study feeding across species and developmental stages. The lab collaborates with experts such as Dr. Callum Ross, Dr. Zhe-Xi Luo, Dr. Rachel Olson, and Dr. Donna Scarborough, and maintains strong ties with Miami University and other institutions.
Campbell Rolian is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Calgary , specializing in evolutionary biology and biomechanics. His research focuses on skeletal morphology, limb development, and the role of developmental mechanisms in evolutionary novelty. Email: cprolian@ucalgary.ca His work involves artificial selection experiments in mice to study evolutionary processes, particularly in bone growth , locomotor adaptation , and craniofacial development . Publications span topics like semicircular canal morphology, limb modularity, and feeding biomechanics in hominins. Recent trends in his research include: Using mouse models to simulate skeletal evolution Investigating bone repair physiology under selection Reconstructing locomotor behaviors from morphology Exploring the genomic basis of rapid evolutionary responses His contributions to databases like MusMorph provide standardized morphological datasets for meta-analyses, advancing studies in evolutionary developmental biology.
Prof. dr. Lambert Schomaker is a Full Professor of Artificial Intelligence at the University of Groningen, leading the Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Engineering (ALICE) institute within the Faculty of Science and Engineering. His work spans perceptual intelligence, machine learning, and neuromorphic computing, with significant contributions to handwriting recognition, robotics, and historical document analysis. Affiliations: Bernoulli Institute, CogniGron (Cognitive Systems & Materials), and Data Science & Systems Complexity (DSSC) centers. Education: M.Sc. (1983) and Ph.D. (1991) in Psychophysiology/Psychology from Nijmegen University. Research Interests: AI, pattern recognition, neural networks, autonomous systems, and applications in cultural heritage (e.g., the MONK system for handwritten archive indexing). He has pioneered handwriting recognition methods used in modern devices like tablets and led the 30MEuro Target project for large-scale data mining. Grants & Projects: Includes NWO-funded initiatives (e.g., Catch, TriGraph) and EU projects (MANTIS, MANIC). Current focus areas include neuromorphic computing with electronic materials and AI-driven analysis of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Awards: IBM Faculty Awards (2011, 2012), IAPR Best Paper Award (2012), Ching Yee Suen Special Award (2012). Advising: Supervised over 20 PhD students in AI, robotics, and document analysis. Active in industry collaborations (e.g., HP, Microsoft). Labs/Teams: Director of ALICE, contributor to CogniGron, and leader of the MONK system team. Current research includes neuromorphic hardware development and AI applications in maintenance systems.
Dr. Matthew James Smith is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Medicine , University of Montreal , leading the Department of Pathology and Cell Biology within the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) . His lab integrates structural biology , biophysics , and evolutionary bioinformatics to decode RAS GTPase signaling in cancer contexts. Research Themes : RAS protein networks, cancer mutations, structural dynamics, and effector validation Technologies : NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, proteomics, and cell-based assays Recent studies (2025-2024) highlight MRAS as a pseudoinactive GTPase , ARF interactome spatial organization , and RASSF-YAP signaling crosstalk . His work reveals how disease mutations alter signaling hierarchies and binding specificities. Scientific Recognition : Canada Research Chair in Cancer Signaling and Structural Biology Recipient of $4M research chair funding (2020) Contact : matthew.james.smith@umontreal.ca | smithlabiric@gmail.com
Associate Professor Phil Clausen is a computational biomechanics and wind energy expert at the School of Engineering, University of Newcastle . His career spans two major research themes: small wind turbine dynamics and fatigue testing and computational biomechanics of biological structures using finite element analysis (FEA). He has led the development of accelerated fatigue test programs for turbine blades and reverse-engineered iconic fossils like Smilodon fatalis and the Tasmanian Tiger to understand biomechanical evolution. Education: PhD and BEng (Hons) from University of Newcastle Research Expertise focuses on: Small wind turbine blade design, fatigue life prediction, and performance optimization Computational biomechanics of crocodiles, komodo dragons, and extinct species Publications (65+ journal articles) cover wind energy systems (2000–2020) and biomechanics (2005–2021), with high-impact work featured in Nature , PLoS ONE , and Royal Society B . Notable findings include debunking assumptions about sabre-toothed cat bite force and quantifying dingo vs. thylacine predatory mechanics. Grants ($1.06M+ total) include ARC Discovery Projects, industry partnerships with Aerogenesis Australia and TUNRA , and commercialization of diffuser-augmented turbine technology. He has supervised numerous research students and collaborated with interdisciplinary teams across engineering, biology, and paleontology.
