Amy Zavatsky

Amy Zavatsky is a Reader in Engineering Science at the University of Oxford and Tutorial Fellow at St Edmund Hall, with faculty service since 1996. Her work bridges mechanical engineering and clinical orthopaedics, focusing on lower extremity biomechanics and gait analysis within the Department of Engineering Science.

Education:

• BSc in Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania
• DPhil in Engineering Science, University of Oxford (Thouron Award recipient)

Research Focus: Prof. Zavatsky pioneers orthopaedic biomechanics research with emphasis on foot/ankle kinematics, knee osteoarthritis mechanisms, and gait compensations. Her work integrates theoretical modeling with in vitro experimentation to develop clinical applications for cerebral palsy, flatfoot, and running injuries. Current projects advance multi-segment foot modeling and cognitive-efficient data visualization for clinical gait analysis.

Publication Trends: 2021-2025 works reveal three converging themes: (1) Open-source foot modeling (OpenOFM), (2) Data visualization for clinical decision-making, and (3) Sensor optimization using statistical methods. These publications consistently bridge engineering innovation with orthopaedic clinical practice through collaborations with the Oxford Gait Laboratory.

Scientific Recognition:

• Philip Leverhulme Prize (2003) for outstanding early-career scholarship
• University Teaching Award (2008) for biomechanics instruction and MSc Biomedical Engineering development
• Departmental Teaching Awards: Silver (2021), Bronze (2022)
• Institution of Mechanical Engineers Thomas Stephen Prize (1993)

Academic Leadership: Prof. Zavatsky directs undergraduate engineering tutorials at St Edmund Hall while teaching mechanical/civil/biomedical engineering courses. She previously served as Director of Graduate Studies (2016-17), Acting MSc Biomedical Engineering Director (2006-07), and Junior Proctor (2012-13). Her DPhil supervision targets lower-limb biomechanics projects requiring strong engineering fundamentals.

Research Infrastructure: Based at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering (Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre), she collaborates extensively with the Oxford Gait Laboratory. Her biomechanics research group utilizes motion capture systems and multi-segment modeling to translate engineering principles into clinical rehabilitation protocols.