Our Research Team

Post-doc Fellow
Bart Bolsterlee
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Dr Bart Bolsterlee is a mechanical and biomedical engineer with specific expertise in imaging and biomechanical modelling of the human musculoskeletal system. During his PhD he developed and evaluated tools for computational modelling of the human upper limb. As a postdoctoral researcher at NeuRA, he pioneered methods to reconstruct and quantify the three-dimensional architecture of human skeletal muscles from magnetic resonance and diffusion tensor imaging data.

Investigating Team
Nicholas Green
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Nicholas has been involved in the 3D medical space for the past 5 years, at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and QUT. I have extensive design experience with CAD software, with interests in segmentation, designing patient specific guides, implants and biomechanics.

POST-DOC FELLOW
Eleonore Bolle
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Eleonore Bolle is a mechanical engineer by education with added expertise in tissue culture. She is currently a postdoctoral researcher in the School of Chemical Engineering at the University of Queensland. Prior to joining the University of Queensland she undertook a Ph.D. in Tissue Engineering at the Queensland University of Technology. Her research interests lie in additive manufacturing techniques, biomaterials, drug delivery and the development of 3-dimensional tissue models. Specifically, her current research focusses on using novel biomaterials and additive manufacturing techniques to restore and maintain tendon function.

Investigating Team
Marco Branni
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Marco was a PhD candidate in Biomedical Engineering at QUT and has since gained employment with medical start-up company Akunah at our clinical partner, Greenslopes Private Hospital where he continues his research. His research aims at understanding the contribution to support of cortical and trabecular bone structures using high-resolution images of human femurs, microstructural finite-element modelling, and bone loads caused by physical activity. Before his PhD, he completed his B.Eng. in Biomedical Engineering and M.Sc. in Biomechanics Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Turin (Italy). Marco commenced researching in orthopaedics during his visiting student program at the Université libre de Bruxelles and Ghent University Hospital (Belgium), where he was actively involved in biomechanics projects working with horses, sheep, and human knees specimens.

POST-DOC FELLOW
Laith Alzubaidi
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Laith Alzubaidi is currently a postdoctoral researcher in the School of Mechanical, Medical, and Process Engineering.
He is currently also a Ph.D. candidate in his last year in the field of medical imaging analysis with deep learning at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Brisbane, Australia. He holds a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Missouri (2016), USA. He has been awarded two scholarships: the Prime Minister of Iraq’s Outstanding Students Scholarship, received during his master’s degree, and a second scholarship awarded by the QUT for his Ph.D. He has published more than 40 refereed research papers. He is collaborating with other researchers around the world including USA, UK, Spain, Australia, and Malaysia, leading to more than 25 joint research publications.
He reviews papers for multiple journals more than 40 journals including PLoS ONE, IEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging, and Cancers MDPI, etc. He has been chosen by a journal of electronics as a guest editor. For more about Laith’s publications and interests, please follow the link: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=TqoZSacAAAAJ&hl=en

POST-DOC FELLOW
Dermot O’Rourke
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Dr Dermot O’Rourke has started as a Post-doctoral Fellow in Program 1 and brings expertise in orthopaedic biomechanics, primarily focused on the biomechanics of diseased and implanted bones. He received his PhD at Flinders University during which he developed computational tools for population-based studies of acetabular components in total hip replacement. Since, he has developed computer methods to quantify changes in hip BMD and strength in exercise, used statistical shape models to investigate the relationship between knee shape and motion, and used advanced experimental techniques to examine the contribution of ligaments to the mechanics of healthy and implanted knees. Dermot is based at Gardens Point campus of QUT.

POST-DOC FELLOW
Dr Wolbert Van Den Hoorn
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Wolly is Research Fellow at the ARC Training Centre for Joint Biomechanics, Queensland Unit for Advanced Shoulder Research, and part of the Movement Neuroscience and Injury Prevention groups within the School of Exercise & Nutrition Sciences at the Queensland University of Technology. His research aims to optimise shoulder rehabilitation after surgical interventions by analysing complex data sets that probe underpinnings of biomechanical and neuromotor changes in musculoskeletal disorders with shoulder issues.

POST-DOC FELLOW
Max Lavaill
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“Investigation on patient-specific features of shoulder MSK modelling. Study of an MRI-based EMG-driven model.”
Max completed his PhD through the ARCITTC-JB at QUASR/QUT in 2023 and has since been appointed to a postdoctoral fellowship position to continue his work on the analysis of soft tissues actions implied in shoulder stability and motion. he works with computational modelling as well as human kinematics and EMG recordings as key tools for his research. His research focuses on studying the influence of patient-specific modelling features on the joint simulations. As part of the work in Program 1 he continues to supervise and support several of our PhD students at the centre.
Our Affiliate Researchers

Investigating Team
Dr Jashint Maharaj
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Jashint is a clinical researcher with interest in Orthopaedic shoulder bio- and pathomechanics. He has a background in Medicine, Public Health and Clinical Education, and looks to further his interest in orthopaedic research. He is also the Research Co-ordinator of QUASR’s transdisciplinary team.

Investigating Team
Marine Launay
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Marine has completed her Master of Biomedical Engineering from UTC in France and is currently working as a Research & Development Engineer in shoulder surgery. Her keen interest is to put her technical skills and knowledge to clinical applications.

Investigating Team
Brandon Ziegenfuss
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Brandon is a biomedical science and public health graduate from the University of Queensland. Although his current research primarily focusses on the biomechanics of various shoulder fixation techniques, he is also involved in a perception study which aims to realise the opinions of health professionals regarding the efficacy of shoulder surgery.

INVESTIGATING TEAM
Edmund Pickering
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Edmund’s background is in mechanical engineering, where he brings a wealth of experience in finite element modelling. Edmund’s research is in the field of mechano-adaption where he focuses on using highly automated numerical models to explore the link between load and the adaptive response in bone. Edmund is a member of the Biomechanics and Spine research group at the Queensland University of Technology.

Research Assistant
Dr. Sarah Whitehouse
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Dr Sarah completed a PhD in Outcomes in Orthopaedic Surgery in Bristol, UK in 2000 after a first degree in Applied Statistics. She has been working in Orthopaedic Research for almost 30 years both in the UK and Australia, being based in Brisbane for the since 2001. She collaborates internationally, regarding statistical analysis and methodological development, as well as project management and development from project inception to publication and dissemination.

Affiliate (Clinical)
Dr. Deniz Erbulut
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Deniz received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Melbourne in 2010. After faculty appointments in the USA and Turkey, he joined Herston Biofabrication Institute as a senior research fellow in 2020. He has been collaborating with research groups at UQ and QUT (QUASR) on several orthopaedic biomechanics related projects as a principle investigator since 2020. Deniz has about 10+ years of research experience in biomechanics for understanding clinically relevant issues in medicine. Using a combination of experimental and computational tools, he performs research in in-vivo/in vitro joint mechanics, human motion, musculoskeletal modelling, computational biomechanics and spinal/orthopaedic implant development

Research Assistant
Mr Tristan Shukar
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Tristan has worked in both clinical and pre-clinical research, with a focus on intensive care, cardio-thoracic medicine, and orthopaedic surgery. He has experience in large, team based, studies and combines his laboratory research with administrative experience in international multi-centre observational cohort studies. He is currently expanding his research experience in Australia, looking to improve outcomes for orthopaedic surgery patients.

Affiliate (Clinical)
Dr. Roberto Pareyón Valero
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Dr Roberto Pareyon is a clinical fellow with the Brisbane Shoulder Fellowship working under the guidance of Assoc. Prof Kenneth Cutbush (St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital) and Prof (Adj) Ashish Gupta (Greenslopes Private Hospital). The fellowship provides comprehensive training in both arthroscopy and arthroplasty techniques. Roberto is undertaking several research projects with the Queensland Unit for Advanced Shoulder Research (QUASR). His research projects focus on improving clinical evaluation through new pre-surgical assessment techniques and improving surgical outcomes of for patients receiving arthroplasty and soft tissue repairs.

Affiliate (Clinical)
Dr. Mohammad Jomaa
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Dr Mohammad Jomaa is a clinical fellow with the Brisbane Shoulder Fellowship working under the guidance of Assoc. Prof Kenneth Cutbush and Prof (Adj) Ashish Gupta at St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital and Greenslopes Private Hospital, respectively. Jomaa is leading several clinical research projects at the Queensland Unit for Advanced Shoulder Research (QUASR) at QUT. Jomaa is using registry data from the Australian Joint Registry to assess reverse shoulder arthoplasty (RSA) in younger patients and the use of imaging techniques prior to RSA. He is also investigating muscle advancement and arthroscopic latarjet techniques to improve surgical outcomes.

Affiliate (Clinical)
Dr. Kristine Italia
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Dr Kristine Italia joined the Brisbane Shoulder Fellowship from June 2018 to August 2019, to gain her shoulder sub-speciality training under the guidance of Assoc. Prof Kenneth Cutbush and Prof (Adj) Ashish Gupta. Kristine worked on various clinical and biomechanical research projects and remains an active member of the Queensland Unit for Advanced Shoulder Research (QUASR). She returned to the Philippines to work as an Orthopedic Surgeon at St Luke’s Medical Centre and is also a part of medical start up Akunah.

Affiliate (Clinical)
Dr. Helen Ingoe
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Dr Helen Ingoe is a clinical fellow with the Brisbane Shoulder Fellowship working under the guidance of Assoc. Prof Kenneth Cutbush (St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital) and Prof (Adj) Ashish Gupta (Greenslopes Private Hospital). Helen joins us from the University of Otago where she most recently completed a research fellowship after completing her formal studies (MD) at the Hull York Medical School.
Operations Team

Centre Manager
Maddie McIntyre
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Maddie is a biomedical engineer with extensive experience in managing business and operations in the medical technology sector. She is passionate about supporting the development of personalized medical technologies and facilitating their effective integration in the clinical setting. In her role as Centre Manager, Maddie guides the multidisciplinary team from academic, clinical and industry partners to reach the strategic goals of the Centre.

Centre Administration Officer
Miss Rosa Armitage
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Rosa is an experienced research administration officer working in the higher education sector since 2013, with over 4 years’ experience working with academics and HDR students in the engineering and medical fields. With a background in science and education, she is passionate about facilitating the development and training of HDR students and supporting innovative research outcomes that make a real-world impact.
Alumni

POST-DOC FELLOW
Maria Antico
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CENTRE ADMINISTRATION OFFICER
Sophia Power
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Before joining the team Sophia worked as an Employee Services Assistant in Human Resources at the University Queensland. Prior to that Sophia worked as an Administration, Communications and Events Officer at the University of Melbourne, in both the Chancellery (Research and Enterprise) and the Indigenous Knowledge Institute.

POST-DOC FELLOW
Jing Peng
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Dr. Jing Peng works as a Research Fellow in Robotic Surgery within Program 2. Her research interests include computer vision, machine learning, robotics and pneumatic control. Jing completed her BEng in Measurement, Control Technology and Instruments and her PhD in Mechanical Engineering at Tsinghua University. During her PhD studies, she also carried out research in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at the University of New South Wales as a Professional Practicum student. After graduation from Tsinghua University she worked at the University of Hong Kong as a Post-doctoral Fellow in Surgical Robotics and Soft Robotics. In 2019 she joined QUT as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Design Robotics for Advanced Manufacturing. Jing has several patents granted to her and she has published articles in materials and processing technologies, soft robotics and surgical robotics.

Affiliate (Clinical)
Dr. Kathir Stalin
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Dr Kathir Stalin joined the Brisbane Shoulder Fellowship from March 2021 to April 2022, to gain his shoulder sub-speciality training under the guidance of Assoc. Prof Kenneth Cutbush and Prof (Adj) Ashish Gupta. Kathir worked on various clinical and biomechanical research projects and remains an active member of the Queensland Unit for Advanced Shoulder Research (QUASR). He is currently undertaking further fellowship studies with the Melbourne Shoulder Group.

Affiliate (Clinical)
Dr Ridzwan Namazie
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Dr Ridzwan Namazie joined the Brisbane Shoulder Fellowship from January 2021 to August 2022, to gain his shoulder sub-speciality training under the guidance of Assoc. Prof Kenneth Cutbush and Prof (Adj) Ashish Gupta. Ridz worked on various clinical and biomechanical research projects and remains an active member of the Queensland Unit for Advanced Shoulder Research (QUASR). After completing his fellowship he went on to work as an orthopaedic surgeon based at Redcliffe Hospital and the Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS) unit at RBWH. Ridz also operates privately at Greenslopes Private Hospital.

POST-DOC FELLOW
Max Lavaill
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“Investigation on patient-specific features of shoulder MSK modelling. Study of an MRI-based EMG-driven model.”
Max completed his PhD through the ARCITTC-JB at QUASR/QUT in 2023 and has since been appointed to a postdoctoral fellowship position to continue his work on the analysis of soft tissues actions implied in shoulder stability and motion. he works with computational modelling as well as human kinematics and EMG recordings as key tools for his research. His research focuses on studying the influence of patient-specific modelling features on the joint simulations. As part of the work in Program 1 he continues to supervise and support several of our PhD students at the centre.

Affiliate (Clinical)
Dr. Freek Hollman
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Dr Freek Hollman is a clinical fellow with the Brisbane Shoulder Fellowship working under the guidance of Assoc. Prof Kenneth Cutbush (St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital) and Prof (Adj) Ashish Gupta (Greenslopes Private Hospital). The fellowship provides comprehensive training in both arthroscopy and arthroplasty techniques. Freek is also engaged in several research projects at QUT through the Queensland Unit for Advanced Shoulder Research (QUASR) including the application of deep learning and artificial intelligence to shoulder treatment planning and outcome prediction, tissue quality assessment of the rotator cuff, and evaluation of shoulder instability. After completing the fellowship, Freek will return to the Netherlands to work as an Orthopaedic Surgeon at the VieCuri Medical Centre in Venlo.

Affiliate (Clinical)
Dr. Nagmani Singh
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Dr Mani Singh joined the Brisbane Shoulder Fellowship from January 2022 to July 2022, to gain his shoulder sub-speciality training under the guidance of Assoc. Prof Kenneth Cutbush and Prof (Adj) Ashish Gupta. Mani contributed to several clinical research projects and remains an active member of the Queensland Unit for Advanced Shoulder Research (QUASR).