Get to know more about us

We are a group of engineers with interest in soft tissue biomechanics research. Our work covers the whole spectrum from material characterisation of tissue and numerical simulation of biomechanical behaviour to development of medical devices and procedures. We use structural engineering analysis tools such as laboratory experiments and nonlinear finite element modelling to determine the material properties of soft tissue and to predict its response to mechanical actions. We have completed and current project on the development of medical devices and procedures, some of which are being used in clinical practice. Our group has developed state of the art laboratory facilities that provide tight control of hydration, temperature and stain rate and offer non-contact behaviour monitoring methods. Our numerical simulation is quite advanced and enables consideration of the tissue's hyperelastic, hysteretic, viscoelastic and anisotropic behaviour. Until recently, all of our work has been on ocular biomechanics but now includes applications in the musculoskeletal system, pancreas and skin. We will be happy to look into other areas depending on external interest and funding.

Meet our team

ACADEMIC STAFF

Professor Ahmed Elsheikh

AHMED ELSHEIKH

group LEAD

HEAD OF SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

Leads the Biomechanical Engineering Research Group with interest in ocular material characterisation and numerical simulation of ocular biomechanical performance. Professor Elsheikh is a Chartered Engineer, a corporate Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. He has published 2 books, over 70 journal papers and 30 conference papers. Prof. Elsheikh has long practical experience as a structural engineer, and his recent work includes the development of a number of medical devices to help improve the management of eye diseases.

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Prof. Eithne Comerford

Eithne Comerford

Head of Department of Musculoskeletal Biology

Graduated from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, UCD, Ireland in 1995. From 1995 to 2006, Eithne worked at the University of Bristol, being awarded her PhD on the pathogenesis of cranial cruciate ligament disease in 2003. Eithne has worked at the University of Liverpool since October 2006 and her main clinical interests include management of the trauma patient and cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCLD). As a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Clinical Veterinary Science Eithne undertakes a significant role in the management of both UG and PG students with regard to clinical, research and teaching duties.

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Dr. Steve Jones

steve jones

Civil Engineering Programme Director

Graduated from The University of Sheffield in 1977 with a BEng (Hons)

in Civil and Structural Engineering, and then a PhD (1980). He worked in industry for leading civil engineering consultants

for over 28 years and was Project Manager on a number of major infrastructure schemes. Steve is a Chartered Engineer, a corporate Member of both the Institution of Civil Engineers and the Institution of Structural Engineers. He joined the University of Liverpool in October 2008 as a Senior Lecturer in Structural Engineering.

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Dr. Riaz Akhtar

riaz akhtar

LECTURER in Biomedical Engineering

Graduated from UMIST in 2003 with a First Class MEng (Hons) in Biomedical Materials Science with Industrial Experience.

In 2007, he completed a PhD at The University of Manchester in ‘The micromechanical behaviour of bone’. Following this, he undertook a post-doctoral position investigating the micromechanical properties of soft tissue. In July 2008, Riaz was awarded a British Heart Foundation Advanced Training fellowship.

He joined the University of Liverpool in October 2011 as a lecturer in Biomedical Engineering.

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Dr Brendan Geraghty

Brendan Geraghty

LECTURER

Is an alumnus of the University of Dundee where he obtained a BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering in 2007. He then completed an MSc in Structural Engineering in 2008, graduating with distinction. He then undertook an EPSRC funded PhD which investigated the mechanical response of ocular tissues, primarily human sclera, using uniaxial and inflation test methods. Brendan joined the Biomechanical Engineering Group at University of Liverpool as a PDRA in April 2012.

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Sherif Hassaan

Sherif Hassaan

LECTURER

Joined the group in 2013, investigating the Biomechanical behaviour of ex-vivo intact ocular globes. He earned both his BEng and MSc in Mechanical Engineering from AAST - Alexandria, Egypt - First Class Honours. Sherif has over 12 years of teaching and academic experience in the field of biologically inspired robotics, mechatronics, unmanned systems and engineering education. In 2007, his involvement and teaching was extended to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech – USA). Currently, he is supervising multiple Mechanical Engineering capstone projects and teaching design modules.

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a word from group lead

We welcome visitors to our internet site and our physical group location at the School of Engineering at the University of Liverpool. The site includes introduction to our group activities, our publications and funding and our partners. If you are interested in working with us or learning more about our activities, do not hesitate to get in touch. The Biomechanical Engineering Group is a dynamic group with several exciting current and planned projects. We welcome collaboration with clinicians, scientists, patient groups and charities and industrial organisations. This collaboration has been essential in the past in achieving our objectives and helping us grow in expertise and profile to where we are now.

Professor Ahmed Elsheikh, Group Lead, Head of School of Engineering