Understanding and mitigating blast injuries- Heel Biomechanics

Career overview

Professor Anthony Bull is a Professor of Musculoskeletal Mechanics in the Department of Bioengineering at Imperial College London. His research focuses on the basic mechanics of joints, including the tissues of joints and the mechanics within the whole musculoskeletal system. He applies this knowledge to the diagnosis and treatment of pathologies and performance parameters, particularly in the fields of Sport Biomechanics, Injury Biomechanics (with a focus on blast injuries), and the Biomechanics of Ageing, including Osteoarthritis. Professor Bull''s expertise in sports biomechanics includes spinal mechanics in rowing and the biomechanics of the upper arm in cricket, with funding from organisations such as GB Rowing, UK Sport, English Institute of Sport, MCC, and EPSRC. He has been instrumental in the development of the Sports Innovation Challenge, a £1 million project aimed at creating equipment for disabled athletes. He leads the Centre for Blast Injury Studies, which aims to improve injury mitigation and enhance treatment, rehabilitation, and recovery for individuals affected by blast injuries. This centre has a strong focus on lower limb and spinal injuries, and he has conducted extensive research on ligament injuries related to sports activities. As the Director of the Musculoskeletal Medical Engineering Centre, funded by the Wellcome Trust and EPSRC, Professor Bull leads a research group in musculoskeletal dynamics and provides research technology support for other investigators. His research also encompasses orthopaedic implant and surgical design, particularly concerning lower and upper limb biomechanics and ageing. In addition to his research, Professor Bull was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2013. He has held various departmental roles, including Director of Courses, Deputy Head of Department, and has served as Head of Department since 2012. He is also the immediate past Chair of the Engineering in Medicine and Health Division Board of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, a past member of the Royal Academy of Engineering Biomedical Engineering Panel, and a member of the Bioengineering Society main committee. Furthermore, he is one of 40 members of the World Council of Biomechanics.

Research interests

Professor Bull''s research focuses on the basic mechanics of joints and the musculoskeletal system, with applications in the diagnosis and treatment of pathologies and performance parameters. His areas of expertise include Sport Biomechanics, Injury Biomechanics (particularly related to blast injuries), and the Biomechanics of Ageing, including Osteoarthritis. He has conducted significant research in spinal mechanics in rowing and the biomechanics of the upper arm in cricket, with funding from organisations such as GB Rowing, UK Sport, and the English Institute of Sport. Professor Bull leads the Centre for Blast Injury Studies, which aims to improve injury mitigation and enhance treatment and rehabilitation for blast injuries, with a focus on lower limb and spinal injuries. He also directs the Musculoskeletal Medical Engineering Centre, funded by the Wellcome Trust and EPSRC, where he leads a research group in musculoskeletal dynamics and supports other investigators in related research. His research extends to orthopaedic implant and surgical design, addressing issues related to lower and upper limb biomechanics and ageing.