ANZSB EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The current elected executive serving from December, 2021 until December, 2024.
Dr. Karen Mickle
President
Dr Karen Mickle is a Lecturer in Biomechanics within the discipline of Exercise and Sports Science at the University of Newcastle. She also holds an ESSA Sports Science (L2) accreditation. Her research focuses on lower limb biomechanics with a specific interest in structure and function of the foot, footwear and running.
PROF. PETER PIVONKA
Past President
Peter is the Professor and Chair of Biomedical Engineering and Spinal Disorders at Queensland University of Technology. Peter previously held the position of Associate Professor of Surgery at the St Vincent’s Department of Surgery at the University of Melbourne, were he led the Mechanobiology and Musculoskeletal Tissue Mechanics group. Peter obtained his PhD at the Institute for Mechanics of Materials and Structures at Vienna University of Technology (TU-Vienna) in 2001. Peter was the chair of the 10th Australasian Biomechanics Conference (ABC10) held at the University of Melbourne in December 2016 and created the theme “Mechanobiology across the Scales”.
DR. MICHELLE HALL
Secretary / Treasurer
Dr Michelle Hall is a Senior Research Fellow and Dame Kate Campbell Fellow in the Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine within the Department of Physiotherapy at the University of Melbourne. Michelle graduated from the University of Melbourne with a PhD (2015) and completed the Global Clinical Scholars Research Training program at Harvard Medical School (2016). Michelle is an emerging leader in the field of hip and knee osteoarthritis, with particular interest in exercise and biomechanics. Her research is influential in moving the scientific field and patient care forward with >55 publications and contributions to clinical guidelines. She has attracted >$4 million in research funding from industry and the NHMRC, including a Project Grant and an Emerging Leader Grant. Michelle has received numerous awards for research excellence and engagement including a Victorian Young Tall Poppy Award from the Australian Institute of Policy and Science (2019).
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For any membership enquiries, please contact Michelle at austnzbiomech@gmail.com.
Dr. Elyse Passmore
Communications Officer
Elyse is the Head Biomedical Engineer of the Gait Analysis Laboratory at The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne and a Research Fellow in the Developmental Imaging Group at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. Elyse completed her PhD in 2017 at the University of Melbourne on musculoskeletal biomechanics in children with gait pathology. Elyse’s research focusses on how motion analysis can be used for the diagnosis, intervention planning and evaluation in children with cerebral palsy. She employs a range of techniques incorporating 3D motion analysis, medical imaging, machine learning and computation simulations to address these questions.
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Please feel free to contact elyse with any communications enqires elyse.passmore@rch.org.au
Dr Celeste Coltman
Early Career Researcher Representative
Celeste is an Assistant Professor in Biomechanics at the University of Canberra and is currently undertaking a Research Fellowship with the Defence Science and Technology Group. Celeste was awarded her PhD in Breast Biomechanics from the University of Wollongong in 2018. Her research interests include breast and upper torso biomechanics, with the purpose of developing evidence-based recommendations to improve the design, fit, and function of protective and functional garments worn on the female torso (e.g. sports bras and body armour systems). Celeste is leading a team of researchers to establish a biomechanics based mentoring program (BRInC) for Australian school girls and early career women in biomechanics.
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For any ECR-related enquiries, issues or events, please contact Celeste at celeste.coltman@canberra.edu.au.
Prof. Glen Lichtwark
ABC13 Conference Liaison Officer
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Glen Lichtwark is a Professor in the School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences at The University of Queensland. He was awarded his PhD in 2005 from University College London (UK), and has subsequently worked at the Royal Veterinary College (UK), Imperial College (UK) and Griffith University (2007-2009), before joining UQ in 2010. Glen has established a research program in biomechanics and skeletal muscle structure and function, particularly focused on how muscle and tendon structure influences the efficiency of movement and ability to control or power movement. Glen has been a council member for the International Society of Biomechanics (2015-2021), and is currently an Associate Editor for the Journal of Applied Physiology. Glen is co-organising the ABC13 conference in Brisbane with representatives from three Queensland universities: Peter Pivonka (QUT), Saulo Martelli (QUT), Laura Diamond (Griffith), David Saxby (Griffith) and Taylor Dick (UQ)
Dr. Julie Choisne
NZ Representative
Julie is an Aotearoa Research Fellow in musculoskeletal modeling at the Auckland Bioengineering Institute (New Zealand).
Julie's research is concentrated in three areas: 1) Personalized medicine for children, 2) musculoskeletal modeling using statistical shape models and 3) Finite Element modelling for surgical planning. Her work is committed to use engineering principal and methods to answer specific clinical questions with the overarching goal of improving early diagnosis and personalized treatment for better recovery.
A/Prof. Tim Doyle
President-Elect
Associate Professor Tim Doyle is a biomechanics and physical performance researcher. He also holds an adjunct Associate Professor with the Centre for Musculoskeletal Research at Griffith University. He was previously employed as a human performance scientist by the Australian Department of Defence, with published research covering military performance, injury screening, and employment standards. He is an accredited Professional Strength and Conditioning Coach with the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with the National Strength and Conditioning Association, and an accredited level 2 Sport Scientist, and Exercise Scientist with Exercise and Sport Science Australia. His professional and academic collaborations extend both locally and internationally, including professional sports (Rugby Union and League), and Military and Law Enforcement agencies. He completed his PhD in Biomechanics through Edith Cowan University and before this he completed his Master of Science at Ball State University, and his undergraduate studies at the University of Queensland, Bachelor of Science (Human Movement Studies) - Honours. In addition to project grant funding he has been awarded an Endeavour Executive Fellowship which provided the opportunity to spend time at The Mayo Clinic and Stanford University. His research involves neuromuscular biomechanics, injury prevention, and physical preparation in athletes and tactical populations.
Luke Jessup
Student Representative
Luke is a PhD candidate at The University of Queensland. His research focuses on the relationship between mechanics and energetics of human locomotion, as well as elucidating why we choose to move the way that they do, and validating computational musculoskeletal models. He aspires, following his PhD, to continue researching and/or to get into the wearables industry to enable people to monitor their daily activity and energy expenditure with greater fidelity.
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For any student-related enquiries, issues or events, please contact Luke at luke.jessup@uq.edu.au