Graham Askew

Graham Askew is an Associate Professor in the School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Leeds, Faculty of Biological Sciences. His research integrates biomechanics, muscle physiology, and energetics to understand animal locomotion across diverse species. He is actively involved in postgraduate research supervision and leads a dynamic lab focused on the mechanics of movement.

Education:

• BSc in Biology, University of Leeds (1992)
• PhD in Skeletal Muscle Physiology, University of Leeds (1995)
• Postdoctoral Research, Northeastern University (Boston) and University of Cambridge

His research interests lie at the intersection of biomechanics and physiology, particularly in how muscles generate power and consume energy during locomotion. He uses integrative approaches combining in vivo measurements, respirometry, sonomicrometry, and infrared thermography to study animal flight, running, and swimming. His work spans from molecular muscle function to whole-organism performance, with ecological and evolutionary implications.

The recent publications reflect a strong trend in comparative biomechanics, focusing on power generation in bird flight, metabolic costs in ants and armoured humans, and efficiency in jet-propelled nautilus. His work often bridges biological principles with real-world or historical applications, resulting in broad scientific and public impact.

Scientific Recognition:

• Featured in The New York Times (2018) for nautilus propulsion study
• Highlighted in Inside JEB multiple times
• Research covered by BBC, Science Magazine, Huffington Post, Audubon, and others

Dr Askew has secured continuous funding from the BBSRC and leads collaborative projects with institutions including Bangor University, University of Hull, and University of Liverpool. He supervises postgraduate students and promotes research opportunities in muscle performance, flight biomechanics, and scaling of locomotor function. He is also involved in developing computational models for musculoskeletal research aligned with 3Rs principles.

His lab, part of the Sport and Exercise Sciences and Cardiovascular and Exercise Sciences research groups, emphasizes experimental validation and interdisciplinary collaboration. Ongoing projects include insect flight mechanics, bird flight energetics, and computational modeling of rabbit mastication.