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Peter Theobald  BEng(Hons), PGCert, PhD, CEng, MIMechE, SFHEA

Dr Peter Theobald

BEng(Hons), PGCert, PhD, CEng, MIMechE, SFHEA

Reader

School of Engineering

Email
TheobaldPS@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 29208 74726
Campuses
Queen's Buildings - South Building, Room S/2.10, 5 The Parade, Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 3AA
Users
Available for postgraduate supervision

Overview

I lead the successful Medical Experiment, Design + Computational Laboratory (MED+CL).  We are expert generating new knowledge to understand and preserve soft tissue structure and function.  We use a combination of experimental methods and computational techniques to understand material behaviour, before offering innovative solutions to protect tissue structure and function.

My research is particularly focussed on understanding and protecting the head and brain.  We are currently investigating head health across many sports, adopting new brain imaging capabilities and investigating new and emerging technologies to enhance athlete welfare.  Our wider research also sees us working with the commercial sector, Standards committees (in the UK and US), and national and international governing bodies.  One such collaboration has resulted in a new test protocol for synthetic surfaces, which should soon be adopted as a route to minimising skin injury risk. 

I also have a strong interest in research with potential clinical deliverables. With over 20 years experience in orthopaedic biomechanics, I focus on understanding and simulating tissue behaviour, to direct future surgical techniques and solutions.  I am also interested in cardiac biomechanics, including a recently finished EPSRC-funded study investigating growth and remodelling, and have recently become involved in enhancing cancer-related diagnostics, by leveraging our recent EPSRC infrastructure investment to start developing new imaging phantoms.

Recent Publications:

Industrial Collaboration:

My group and I actively engage with a breadth of industries, focussing on researching and developing new technologies that can be translated to products.  We work across the bioengineering spectrum - with a particular interest in orthopaedics and personal protection, working to secure funding from Innovate UK to introduce new solutions to the market.

Research

Contracts

Title

People

Sponsor

Value

Duration

Upgrading the small equipment base for early career researchers in the Engineering and Physical Sciences

Holford K, Whatling G, Lees J, Anderson P I, Brousseau E, Cipcigan L M, Pullin R, Bigot S, Theobald P, Simpson R N, Kawashita L F, Clarke A

EPSRC

498k

01/11/2012 - 31/03/2013

Using 'digital' materials to establish a novel investigation platform for cardiac arrest

Theobald P

Ser Cymru NRN Sweasea

57k

01/07/2014 - 30/06/2017

Validating the use of piezoelectric materials for novel application in bio-mechanical engineering

Theobald P

Royal Society

15k

01/04/2013 - 31/03/2014

Optimising Impact protection through additive manufacturing

Theobald P

EPSRC via Nottingham University

3k

15/08/2014 - 14/03/2015

Putting the 'Spark' Back into Electrical Engineering (Ingenius Public Engagement Grant)

Theobald P

Royal Academy of Engineering

30k

01/04/2014 - 31/07/2015

Increasing the acceptance of safety headwear within the climbing

Theobald P

Welsh European Funding Office

40k

01/03/2013 - 28/02/2014

Can providing 3D printing be used to enhance cardiopulmonary resucitation techniques?

Theobald P, Clarke A

Welsh Crucible

10k

01/12/2013 - 31/08/2014

Biomechanical analysis of dual bridge plating

Theobald P, Jones M

Biomet Manufacturing LLC

25k

01/06/2014 - 15/02/2015

The use of novel materials to enhance motorcyclist safety in developing countries

Theobald P, M. Alves (Fellow)

Royal Society - Newton Fund

12k

01/11/2015 - 31/07/2017

New and novel materials to reduce head injury

Theobald P, Soe S

EPSRC IAA

20k

15/06/2015 - 30/09/2015

Developing novel materials to enhance motorcycle safety

Theobald P, Soe S

KESS II

80k

01/01/2016 - 31/12/2019

Quantifying probable region-specific microstructural and biomechanical variations In mature porcine tissue

Theobald P

EPSRC via Glasgow University

6k

1/10/18 – 30/4/19

Growth and remodelling in the porcine heart – pushing mathematics through experiments

Theobald P, Soe S, Yang X (in collaboration with Glasgow and Swansea Universities)

EPSRC

£341k (£800k total)

01/05/2019-30/04/2022

Novel, rate-dependent material to enhance helmet liner performance

Theobald P, Soe S

Football Research Inc

£80k

01/03/2019-15/07/2020

Novel test device for the standardised measurement of skin friction on synthetic surfaces

Theobald P

World Rugby

£57k

01/07/2019-30/06/2022

Developing advanced protective materials via an enhanced understanding of brain injury

Theobald P

KESS II

£82k

01/10/2019-30/09/2022

Strategic investment in Cardiff University's functional material capabilities

Graham K, Theobald P, Ladak S

EPSRC

£577k

01/11/2020- 30/04/2022

Soccer heading and head health

Theobald P

EPSRC IAA

£14k

01/11/2020 - 31/10/2021

Improving equestrian helmet performance

Theobald P

Innovate UK/KTP

£278k

01/01/2021-30/06/2023

Improving equestrian helmet performance

Theobald P

Welsh European Funding Office

£22k

01/01/2021-30/06/2023

Teaching

I teach a range of subjects that consider musculoskeletal biomechanics, and how the implementation of innovative design can add to this valuable area.  These modules include:

  • EN2451 - Biomechanics 1, focussing on the fundamentals of the musculoskeletal system.
  • EN3450 - Biomechanics 2, considering the implementation of emerging technologies to design and manufacturing patient-specific implants.
  • EN4107 - Biomechanics & Biomedical Engineering, leading a series of group projects that focus on a specific challenge within the sector and that are typically sponsored by a clinician or industry.  Examples may include medical device design, developing novel rehabilitation strategies, or enhanced patient care.
  • EN4119 - Ergonomics, investigating routes to improve comfort and functionality, evidenced by manufacturing a new product focussed on human-environment interaction, which is then tested on a participant population.

I also served as Head of the Mechanical, Medical and Manufacturing (2013-17), and am currently Tutor for the Medical Engineering undergraduate degree scheme.  I am also a Senior Fellow at Advanced HE (formerly the Higher Education Academy)

Biography

My research focusses on the interface of engineering and medicine.  Alongside my team, we aim to identify new and novel solutions to reduce the risk of mortality, morbidity and injury, with a particular interest in application to sports and orthopaedics.  Our research is of both a fundamental and applied nature, meaning we work with a range of academic, clinical and industrial collaborators within the UK and overseas.  Internally, I hold memberships in both the High Value Manufacturing, and Medical Engineering, research groups.

My research team are primarily focussing on reducing head injuries in sporting and collision environments.  This comprises ‘blue skies’ work, as we seek to better understand the relationship between impact and head health, whilst also working with industry to create more effective, protective solutions. 

My research also includes a wider spectrum of engineering applied to medicine, meaning we work with a range of clinical colleagues and academic collaborators within the UK and overseas.  I am active in orthopaedics - especially looking at how additive manufacturing can improve patient care.  We have also worked investigating how the biomechancial behaviour of cardiac tissue changes with age, included the recently ended project funded by the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council, alongside the prestigious SoftMECH centre (University of Glasgow) and Swansea University.

My career started in 2003, graduating in Medical Engineering from the University of Bradford (1st Class (Hons)), at the time being one of very few universities to offer such a programme.  I moved to Cardiff School of Engineering to read my PhD in soft tissue biomechanics, focusing on the tendo Achilles insertion site.  I performed a series of biomechanical and anatomical analyses, revealing the complex interaction between adjacent tissues that ensures the interface can withstand such high loads.  I was supervised by Professor Len Nokes (School of Engineering), the late Professor Mike Benjamin (School of Biosciences) and the late Professor Colin Dent (School of Medicine).

I am now a recognised expert in the Medical Engineering field and frequently review grants and papers, and examine students, across the UK and internationally.

Professional memberships

  • Chartered Engineer (IMechE)
  • Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers
  • Senior Fellow of the Advanced HE (formerly the Higher Education Academy)
  • ASTM (American Society for Testing & Materials) Member for F08: Sports equipment and facilities, including F08.53: Helmets
  • British Standards committee member (Helmets for Equestrian Activities)

Academic positions

  • 2020 - Present: Reader, School of Engineering, Cardiff University
  • 2015 - 2020: Senior Lecturer, School of Engineering, Cardiff University
  • 2007 - 2015: Lecturer, School of Engineering, Cardiff University
  • 2006 - 2007: Postdoctoral Research Associate, School of Engineering, Cardiff University

Committees and reviewing

Review Editor (Biomechanics)

Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology

2022 - present

Editorial Board Member

Biosurface & Biotribology

2020 - present

Editorial Board Member

Journal of Medical Engineering & Technology

2020 - present

Associate Peer Review College membership

EPSRC

2018 - present

Advisory Board Member

Journal of Sports Science

2017 - present

International Faculty Member

International Congress of Joint Reconstruction (Middle East)

2016 - present

Programme Chair

Sustainable Design & Manufacturing

2015 - 6

Journal Reviewer:

  • Acta Physiologica
  • J Biomech
  • J Med Eng Tech
  • Sports Biomech
  • J Tribol
  • J Orthop Res
  • Friction
  • J Eng Med
  • J Sport Sci
  • J Sci Med Sport
  • Mat & Design
  • Cardiology
  • Bio Mod in Mech
  • Med Eng Phys
  • J Sports Eng Tech

Supervisions

My research group focuses on areas including:

  • Head protection
  • Injury prevention
  • Light-weighting
  • Energy absorption
  • Additive manufacturing for medical application
  • Orthopaedics

Please contact me using the above details should your interests lie within these areas

My current research students and their topics include:

Title

Student

Status

Degree

Using finite element analysis as a platform to investigate osteoarthritis progression in the human hand

WEI, Han

Current

PhD

Correlating the structural characteristics and aging of brain tissue

XU, Lanxi

Current

PhD

Correlating the biomechanical characteristics and aging of brain tissue

LEI, Rujing

Current

PhD

Enhancing head protection and brain health in sports impacts

BARNES-WOOD, Meg

Current

PhD

Multiphysical solutions for safety helmets

STOFF, Jasmin

Writing up

PhD

Developing advanced protective materials via an enhanced understanding of brain injury

MCCLOSKEY, Hugh

Writing up

PhD

Investigating the wobble-board to improving stability in the diabetic population

ALJAWAEE, Madawi

Writing up

PhD

Development and implementation of a friction threshold for preventing skin injury in elite rugby

MACFARLANE, Maxwell

Writing up

PhD

Current supervision

Lanxi Xu

Lanxi Xu

Graduate Demonstrator

Rujing Lei

Rujing Lei

Graduate Demonstrator

Megan Barnes-Wood

Megan Barnes-Wood

Graduate Demonstrator

Jasmin Stoff

Jasmin Stoff

Research student

Hugh McCloskey

Hugh McCloskey

Research student

Mansoor Alnehayan

Mansoor Alnehayan

Research student

Max MacFarlane

Max MacFarlane

Research student

Past projects

My past PhD graduates and projects include:

 

Dr Rhosslyn Adams, PhD graduate 2022:

* A viscoelastic material for enhanced equestrian helmet liners

Dr Benjamin Hanna, PhD graduate 2021:

* Multi-Material, 3D-printed structures for enhanced head protection in American football

Dr Michael Robinson, PhD graduate 2020:

* Using 3D printing to develop novel material-structures to enhance motorcyclist safety.

Dr Faizan Ahmad, PhD graduate 2018:

* Using 'digital' materials to establish a novel investigative platform for cardiac arrest

Dr Jeyapal Kandasamy, PhD graduate 2018:

* Can paediatric CPR performance be improved through the provision of 'real time' feedback

Dr Ghaidaa Khalid, PhD graduate 2018:

* Finite element analysis of the head/brain complex in the infant

Dr Samar Shaabeth, PhD graduate 2018:

* Establishing a FSI platform for investigating infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Dr Raee Alqhtani, PhD graduate 2017:

* Multi-spinal regions and lumbar-hip complex kinematics during dominant daily tasks

Dr Ramesh Swaminathan, PhD graduate 2017:

* How the evolution of rugby influences the risk of spinal injury during scrummaging

Dr Jonathon Hughes, PhD graduate 2016:

* Biomechanics of skull fracture and intracranial injury in young children following a low height fall

Dr Philip Martin, PhD graduate 2015:

* Engineering an improvement in chest compression quality during simulated infant CPR