Craig Engstrom

Associate Professor Craig Engstrom is an accomplished academic at The University of Queensland's School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences within the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences. He serves as Program Coordinator for the Postgraduate Masters of Sports Medicine and is an Affiliate of the Centre for Innovation in Pain and Health Research (CIPHeR). With over 100 publications including 47 journal articles, 52 conference papers, and a book chapter, his research spans sports medicine, musculoskeletal imaging, and innovative educational approaches.

• Bachelor of Human Movement Studies (Education) (Honours), University of Queensland
• MSc, Queen's University, Canada
• PhD, University of Queensland

Professor Engstrom's research focuses on three primary areas: Sports Medicine with particular emphasis on injury mechanisms in athletes (especially cricket fast bowlers and water polo players), cutting-edge Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Musculoskeletal System for assessing joint morphology and pathology, and development of innovative web-based approaches for learning and assessment in health professional education. His work on the eCAPS (e-Clinical Assessment of Practical Skills) system demonstrates his commitment to educational innovation. His current research leverages advanced computational methods including deep learning, statistical shape modeling, and 3D segmentation techniques applied to musculoskeletal MRI data.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward applying artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques to medical imaging, particularly in knee and hip joint analysis. His work increasingly focuses on automated segmentation, anomaly detection, and quantitative assessment of joint morphology using 3D MRI. The Osteoarthritis Initiative dataset features prominently in his recent work, indicating a growing focus on osteoarthritis research alongside his longstanding interest in sports injuries.

• Award for Teaching Excellence (ATE) - Australian Award for University Teaching (AAUT) 2015-2018

Professor Engstrom actively supervises numerous PhD candidates working on projects related to medical image analysis, ACL registry development, and deep learning applications in healthcare. His current research is supported by significant funding including 'Cost effective and portable low-field musculoskeletal MRI for high performance sport' (2025-2027) and 'Quantum-Enabled Low-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging for High-Performance Sport' (2024-2027). His past funding includes NHMRC Development Grants, ARC Linkage Projects, and industry partnerships with Siemens Healthcare.

His work bridges clinical practice, research, and education, with strong collaborations across The University of Queensland, particularly with researchers like Stuart Crozier and Shakes Chandra. His research group appears to focus on developing computational tools for quantitative analysis of musculoskeletal MRI, with applications in sports medicine, orthopedics, and rehabilitation.