Research Areas of Interest

• Musculoskeletal Mechanics: Hand & Upper Limb Biomechanics; Occupational Biomechanics; Spinal Biomechanics; Sport Biomechanics
• Appendicular & Vertebral Injury and Rehabilitation
• Gait
• Musculoskeletal Disorders e.g. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Locomotion Studies in Humans, Animals and Cadavers

By profession I am a mechanical engineer with a strong background in Bioengineering (PhD). Presently, I am a Lecturer in Biomechanics at the School of Science and Sport, Institute for Clinical Exercise & Health Science, University of the West of Scotland and former Programme Leader for the BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science course. Previously, I was an Honorary Research Fellow in Rehabilitation Science within the Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK. Also previously I was an Honorary Research Fellow in Rehabilitation Science at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK. Earlier, I completed my Research Fellowship in experimental spinal biomechanics at the Biomedical Engineering Research Group within the School of Mechanical Engineering which was a collaborative program with Musculoskeletal Services, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK. Prior to that, I completed my Post-doctoral Research Fellowship at the Hand and Upper Extremity Research Laboratory, Musculoskeletal Research Center, Departments of Bioengineering and Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, where I was also involved in healthcare consultancy and research in rehabilitation science and sports medicine. My research thrust is centered broadly on biomechanical related studies designed to evaluate upper and lower limb musculoskeletal disorders. While I am interested in lower limb biomechanics, my training and expertise lie in upper limb biomechanics, specifically the hand and wrist. Within the ambit of hand and wrist rehabilitation research I am particularly interested in research projects that can yield functional outcome measures with strong applications linked to the clinical, sport, office related and industrial related environment, where biomechanical principles such as morphological / morphometric techniques together with human motion analysis and methods can be applied. More so I am interested in wearable technology including biomechanically enabled robot support for assisted living where the application of biomechanical principles to robotics and modern technologies with emphasis on studies related to electromyography, kinematics and kinetics of the human joints and animal joints are a main focus.

My goal is to ensure my students develop knowledge through understanding the theoretical and practical basis of motion analysis and biomechanics. This can be achieved through the administration of improved teaching techniques geared towards learning outcomes and key skills that are of benefit to the students. Above all, I strongly believe in effective student advising, effective use of technology in teaching and ability of the students to learn by doing assignments/tutorials and homework. The rationale for teaching biomechanics lies in the acceptance and understanding of the practical experience involved in human motion mechanics and the structure and function of the human musculoskeletal system. Hence, my teaching philosophy focuses on commitment leading to effective communication and presentation, problem solving and creative proficiency, teamwork and collaboration among students, project planning and organising lectures / laboratory / practical work leading to effective personal development and promoting research led teaching.

Partnership Agreements and Collaborations

A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING by and between the UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO ESPÍRITO SANTO (Brazil) and UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND (Scotland), which aims at promoting academic cooperation between the Parties has now been established.

A COLLABORATION AGREEMENT between NATIONAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF SPORTS MEDICINE (CHINA) and SCHOOL OF HEALTH AND LIFE SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND (UK) on a project entitled, "Study on exercise rehabilitation techniques and the use of musclepatch for disabled athletes" has been established.