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Cathy Holt  BEng, PhD, PGDip, CEng, FIMechE FLSW

Professor Cathy Holt

(she/her)

BEng, PhD, PGDip, CEng, FIMechE FLSW

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Available for postgraduate supervision

Teams and roles for Cathy Holt

Overview

Professor Cathy Holt is Professor of Biomechanics and Orthopaedic Engineering in the Biomedical Engineering Research Group at Cardiff University’s School of Engineering. She directs the Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Facility (MSKBRF) and serves as Biomechanics Research Director for the Cardiff Biomechanics and Bioengineering Research Centre Versus Arthritis.

Her internationally recognised research focuses on 3D motion analysis, orthopaedic biomechanics and the functional classification of joint disease and surgical intervention. She has led and collaborated on major interdisciplinary programmes attracting over £25M in external funding, including the EPSRC OATech+ NetworkPlus and the Arthritis Research UK Biomechanics and Bioengineering Centre.

A Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Professor Holt is a Chartered Engineer (CEng, FIMechE) and past Chair of the IMechE Biomedical Engineering Board. She has written book chapters on the biomechanics of the peripheral joints and spine for the leading Rheumatology Textbook, published widely, and served as reviewer, assessor and advisor for UK and international research councils and journals.

Publication

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Articles

Book sections

Books

Conferences

Research

Research theme: Health, Technology and the Digital World

Contracts

Holt C (Project PI), Williams D, Wilson C (Cardiff) van Arkel R, Amsi A, Jones G (Imperial College) Multi-platform pipeline for engineering human knee joint function EPSRC Responsive Mode EP/X039870/1  and EP/X04002X/1 £1,020,364 and £613,333; 01/02/24 – 31/01/2027

Williams D Holt C Magnetic Resonance imaging - Ankle Image Registration (MR-AIR): Novel methodology for modelling dynamic internal ankle movement EPSRC Impact Accelerate Account £20,000 11/2023 – 07/2024

Williams D Holt C Sparkes V Ahuja S MRI-based spine models for patient specific surgical planning: A clinically driven approach to developing new validated surgical tools. MRC Confidence in Concept £50,000; 09/2022 – 08/2023

Holt C with Industry Lead (Agile Kinetic) Movement analysis for musculoskeletal precision medicine Innovate UK Advancing precision medicine (10070944) £149,878 (Total Project Costs £514,653) 09/2023 – 03/2025  

Whatling G Holt C and Bowd J Gait retraining for patients undergoing High Tibial Osteotomy Surgery EPSRC Impact Accelerate Fund £20,760; 10/2021 – 03/2022

Holt C, Williams D Image-driven subject-specific spine models EPSRC (Exeter, Cardiff) EP/V032275/1 £559,967; 01/10/2021 – 30/09/2024 with Exeter University

Holt C, Williams D, Whatling G Personalised virtual surgery for optimised knee arthritis treatment Accelerate Wales £301,967.47of which £138,603 to Cardiff University; 01/2021 – 03/2022

Holt C Williams D and Wyatt H Modelling framework for in-vivo knee joint contact analysis EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnership £75,000; 07/2021 – 12/2024

Holt C Sparkes V Davies J Gibson C   Clinical acceptance of technology in remote rehabilitation assessment: addressing urgent COVID challenges to drive future technology transfer MRC Confidence in Concept £49,923; 10/2020 – 03/2022

Holt C Sparkes V Davies J Gibson C   Clinical acceptance of technology in remote rehabilitation assessment: addressing urgent COVID challenges to drive future technology transfer Ser Cymru Tacking Covid £25,000; 10/2020 – 04/2021

Brocket C. Chapman G, Williams D Holt C Ankle Foot Imaging, and Image Registration to develop protocols for measurement of Total Ankle Replacement kinematics OATech+ Network Plus EPSRC Pump Priming £8,000 (Leeds, UCLAN, Cardiff); 2019 - 2021

Sparkes V Holt C Mason D et al Extension funding - BBRC Versus Arthritis Versus Arthritis £200,000; 2020 –2022

Holt C, Williams D Developing novel imaging protocols for dynamic, bi-plane X-ray system. EPSRC OATech+ Network Plus £50,000; 01/03/2020 – 28/02/2021

Graham K, Beltrachini L, Murphy K, Singh K, Charron C, Holt C, Lawrence A Capital Award for Core Equipment EPSRC £400,000; 2019-2021

Mason DJ and Holt C Could anti-inflammatory treatment at ACL reconstruction improve biological, functional and clinical outcomes? WEFO KESS 2 EAST £51,401; 07/2020 – 06/2023

Crivelli D and Holt C Smart patches for early detection of knee osteoarthritis EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnership £75,000; 10/2019 – 03/2023

Busse Morris M, Jones P, Rosser A, Holt C and DOMINO-HD International Consortium. Multi-Domain Lifestyle Targets for Improving ProgNOsis in Huntington’s Disease (DOMINO-HD) JPND Multinational research projects on Health and Social Care for Neurodegenerative Diseases UK £19,960 of £49,902 of €2,049,523.75. £1,804,280; 01/04 2019 – 01/04/2022

Chambers C, Davies J, Holt C, Williams D, Whatling G COMSTIG: Motor Cortex Magnetic Stimulation during Gait ISSF WT £41,000; 01/09/2019 – 31/08/2021

Kolasinski J, Holt C, Whatling G, Williams D From brain to biomechanics: quantifying human dexterity WT ISSF £46,000;. 01/09/2019 – 31/08/2021

Simonovic J, Mason D, Evans S, Holt C (as Lead for Sponsor Team) Mathematical models of bone externally excited remodelling MSCA-IF-EF-ST EURO195,454;  01/11/2017 - 31/10/2019

Busse-Morris M, Drew C, Rosser A (all MEDIC), Holt C (as ENGIN Lead), Hicks Y “Developing clinical applications for a novel multi-task functional assessment” MRC Confidence in Concept; £19,960 of £49,902; 01/09/2016 - 31/08/2017

Holt C, Bull A, Rowe P, Conaghan P, Pitsilides, A “OsteoArthritis Technologies Network Plus (OATech+): A multidisciplinary approach to the prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis” EPSRC   £968,486; 01/07/2016 - 30/06/2020

Busse (HCARE), Holt C (as ENGIN Lead), Hicks Y “Automated assessment of timing and movement signatures in Huntingdon's disease” Wellcome Trust ISSF Cross disciplinary awards   £16,301 of £47,945; 01/01/2016 - 31/12/2016

Holt C, Whatling G, Evans S “ARUK Biomechanics & Bioengineering Centre” Arthritis Research UK   £420,000 of £2M to Cardiff University; 01/01/2016 - 31/12/2020

Holt C, Whatling G, Jones P, Mitchard D “Musculoskeletal Research Centre” Welsh Government   £2500000; 01/04/2015 - 31/03/2017

Holt C “Adaptive assistive rehabilitative technology: Beyond the Clinic (AART:BC)”  EPSRC via Warwick   £192,476 of £1,862,864;  01/04/2015 - 31/03/2018

Duance V, Caterson B, Mason D, Blain E, Evans B, Williams A, Jones S, Birchall J, Van Deursen R, Sparkes V, Aeschlimann D, Wise R, Holt C (Co-PI), Evans S, Whatling G “Arthritis Research UK Biomechanics and Bioengineering Centre” Arthritis Research UK   £19974; 01/10/2014 - 31/03/2015

Sparkes V, Holt C, Whatling G   “Investigation of gait and functional activities using 3D motion analysis in patients with knee osteoarthritis and in normal healthy volunteers”  GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Pte Ltd   £76,383; 09/06/2014 - 31/03/2015

Holt C A “The functional and biological assessment of a novel orthopaedic implant material for the treatment of focal cartilage lesions - studentship” Hospital Innovations Ltd.   £10,000; 01/04/2014 - 31/03/2017

Holt C, Mason D (BIOSI)“Functional and Biological Assessment of a New Implant Material to Treat Focal Cartilage Defects”  Ser Cymru NRN AEM   £28,500 of £54,000; 01/04/2014 - 31/03/2017

Ransing (Swan), Holt CA et al “Computational Modelling of Smart and Energy Efficient Prosthetic Foot” Ser Cymru NRN AEM £28,500 of £54,000; 01/04/2014 - 31/03/2017 

Holt C “Implementation of the development of single protein fibre matrix composites for high performance cartilage repair device” Technology Strategy Board   £90,834; 01/02/2013 - 31/01/2015

Holt CA (PI/CI), Whatling GM. Williams D.   “Comparing healthy, osteoarthritic and arthroplasty knee loading and kinematics”; CITER Summer Bursaries scheme £1,360 x 3; Summer of 2013, 14, 16, 17.

Holt C, Whatling G, Roberts H (BIOSI) “The relationship between alignment, function and loading in total knee replacement: In-vivo analysis of a unique patient population” Furlong Research Charitable Foundation/Orthopaedic Research UK   £29,562 of £39,416; 01/08/2011 - 31/07/2012

Holt C “Predicting and evaluating the surgical outcome following high tibial osteotomy using musculoskeletal modelling, objective classification, imaging and biological testing” ARTHREX Ltd   £49,500; 01/03/2010 - 28/02/2014

Holt CA (Co-PI), Evans SL, with BIOSI, MEDIC, SOHCS, DENTL, PHRMY & PSYCH   “Arthritis Research UK Biomechanics and Bioengineering Centre of Excellence” Arthritis Research UK”  Arthritis Research Campaign/Arthritis Research UK   £509,987 of £2.5M to Cardiff University with £7.5M commitment from Cardiff University over 10 years;  01/08/2009 - 01/08/2014

Holt CA “The clinical validation of a new mathematical tool to diagnose and classify normal, pathological TKR knee function” DePuy Intl. Ltd   £50,000; 01/04/2009 - 31/03/2012

Mentoring of Whatling GM for Holford K (PI), Whatling GM et al. “Upgrading the small equipment base for early career researchers. EPSRC £498,326; 2010 – 12

Mentoring of Whatling GM for “Development of a novel surgical planning tool for high tibial osteotomy” EPSRC First Grant £125,000; 2012 – 13.

Mentoring/co-supervision with Whatling GM.   “Validation of dynamic fluoroscopy and image registration techniques for knee kinematic analysis” ENGIN PhD with G Whatling EPSRC First Grant £75,000; 2013 -16.

Holt CA “10th Meeting: technical group on '3D analysis of human movement' Intl. Society of Biomechanics.”  Royal Society £790; 28/10/2008 - 28/07/2009 

Holt CA “Digital image correlation as a technique to validate finite element models” Royal Society Incoming Researcher Grant £1600; 01/03/2008 - 02/05/2008

Dr CA Holt “Using motion analysis techniques and objective classifiers to characterise mechanisms of human movement and postural control: Applications to orthopaedics and neurology” Leverhulme Trust/Royal Academy of Engineering Senior Research Fellowship £34,562; 01/09/2007 - 01/09/2008

Dr CA Holt “Kinematic analysis of normal and pathological shoulder function: A study of the measurement accuracy and validity for use in objective functional classifiers” Plus Orthopaedics (UK) Ltd / S&N   £50,000; 01/10/2006 - 30/09/2009

Holt CA “Clinical validation of a new mathematical tool to diagnose and classify normal pathological TKR knee function” DePuy UK   £45,000; 01/10/2005 - 30/09/2008

Holt CA “Clinical validation of a new mathematical tool to diagnose and classify normal pathological TKR knee function” DePuy UK   £20,000; 01/10/2005 - 31/12/2008

Dr CA Holt “The clinical validation of a new mathematical tool to diagnose and classify normal, pathological and TKR knee function” EPSRC First Grant  £86,836; 01/05/2005 - 31/10/2007

CITER/CUSP Groups including Holt CA Titles: CITER & CUSP (OPTOM/ENGIN) contributions to Equipment/Infrastructure   SRIF  £4,400,000 (personal £170,000);  2005

Holt CA, (with CARBS & MEDIC) “Clinical validation of a new mathematical tool to classify normal pathological knee function” MRC   £27,604; 01/07/2004 - 30/06/2005

Evans SL, Holt CA “Development of a constitutive model for the periodontal ligament using a novel motion analysis technique” EPSRC   £158,133 of £300,000 to Cardiff University; 01/09/2003 - 31/08/2006

Dr CA Holt “Gait analysis of knee implants” DePuy UK £44898; 05/01/2002 - 04/01/2004

LDM Nokes, Dr CA Holt “Human motion analysis of a new knee design” DePuy UK £15000; 2001 - 2004

Supervised Students

Title Student Status Degree
Modelling of Metal on Metal Hip Prostheses AL SAFFAR Ali Abd Al-Ameer Hussien Graduate PhD
Knee Osteoarthritis is a Bilateral Disease METCALFE Andrew John Graduate MD
BIOMECHANICAL LOADING OF THE KNEE JOINT - MEDICAL ENGINEERING. GHAZWAN Aseel Mohammed Ali Hussein Current PhD
Functional Analysis of the Shoulder Complex in Healthy and Pathological Subjects using Three-Dimensional Motion Analysis Techniques LOVERN Barry Graduate PhD
Development Of Novel Methodologieas To Quantify, Analyse And Classifiy In-Vitro Knee Function Affected By Aging, Osteoarthritis And Total Knee Replacement WATLING Daniel Graduate PhD
A Contribution To The Clinical Validation Of A generic Method For The Classification Of Osteoarthritic And Non-Pathological Knee Function WHATLING Gemma Marie Graduate PhD
DYNAMIC MODELLING OF THE SHOULDER COMPLEX (MEDICAL ENGINEERING). LAFTA Hassanain Ali Current PhD
Development of Novel System to Measure and Calculate Tooth Movements for Studying the Properties of Periodontal Ligament LIU Helen Graduate PhD
DATA FUSION OF RELATIVE MOVEMENT IN FAST REPETITIVE- ACTION SPORTS USING BODY WIRELESS AREA NETWORKS. ARMSTRONG Helen Sian Graduate PhD
TBC EVERITT Holly Graduate PhD
The Development Of A Novel Technique In Measuring Human Skin Deformation In Vivo To Determine Its Mechanical Properties MAHMUD Jamaluddin Graduate PhD
Development Of A Finite Element Model Of The Knee Using Patient Specific Magnetic Resonance Imaging Data And Biomechanical Testing Of Soft Tissues LI Joanna Yuen Sai Graduate PhD
A Novel Protocol For The Quantification Of Temproal And Postural Gait Parameters Of Rats And Humans MADETE June Kazira Graduate PhD
The Development of a Novel Method for the Classification of Osteoarthritic and Normal Knee Function JONES Lianne Graduate PhD
In Vivo Measurment And Objective Classification Of Healthy, Injured And Pathological Shoulder Injury STROUD Lindsay Graduate PhD
Functional and Biological Assessment of a New Implant Material to Treat Focal Cartilage Defects KHATIB Nidal Current PhD
THE EFFECTS OF LOADING AND ALIGNMENT ON JOINT STRUCTURES DURING FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITIES AND EXERCISES IN KNEE PATIENTS AND HEALTHY SUBJECTS BIGGS Paul Robert Current PhD
An Investigation to Establish How The Evolution of Rugby Influences The Risk of Spinal Injury During Scrummaging SWAMINATHAN Ramesh Thesis Submitted PhD
Novel Approaches To The Development Of PMMA Bone Cements AYRE Wayne Graduate PhD

Teaching

Biomechanics 1 Year 2) - Basic Biomechanics of the Musculoskeletal System

Biomechanics 2 (year 3) - Application of Biomechanics to the Musculoskeletal System

Design (Year 2) - Engineering Design Make and Test with industry partners

Year 3 Individual Projects

Clinical Teaching for Cardiff and Vale orthopaedic Centre - Training and Regsitry teaching

Holt, C. and Williams, D. 2023. Chapter 6: Biomechanics of the peripheral joints and spine. In: Hochberg, M. C. et al. eds. Rheumatology, 2-Volume Set Vol. 8e. Elsevier-Health Sciences Division

Biography

Professor of Biomechanics and Orthopaedic Engineering
Biomedical Engineering Research Group, School of Engineering, Cardiff University

Professor Cathy Holt is Professor of Biomechanics and Orthopaedic Engineering in the Biomedical Engineering Research Group at the Cardiff University School of Engineering. She gained her BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering from University College Cardiff in 1988 and her PhD from Cardiff University in 1993.

She is Director of the Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Facility (MSKBRF) and Biomechanics Research Director for the Cardiff Biomechanics and Bioengineering Research Centre Versus Arthritis. She was PI for the UK-wide OATech+ NetworkPlus (EPSRC) and a founding member of the UK Imaging OA Consortium.

Professor Holt is a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and the International Orthopaedic Research Societies. She served as a full member of the REF 2021 Unit of Assessment 12 (Engineering) Sub-Panel. Her internationally recognised contributions to orthopaedic biomechanics were acknowledged through the Suffrage Science Award (2017–2019).

A Chartered Engineer (CEng) and FIMechE, she is past Chair of the IMechE Biomedical Engineering Board and Orthopaedics TAC, sits on the Royal Academy of Engineering Healthcare Technology Interest Group, and was a founding member of the IPEM/IET/IMechE Biomedical Engineering Working Group and the IPEM Biomedical Engineering Special Interest Group.

Her research focuses on 3D motion analysis, orthopaedic biomechanics and functional classification of joint disease and surgical intervention. She has an international reputation for novel applications of motion capture and analysis in osteoarthritis and orthopaedic surgery. Working with interdisciplinary teams across several Schools, she has attracted over £25M in external support for research, infrastructure and equipment (including >£5M in personal income from EPSRC, Versus Arthritis/ARUK, Wellcome Trust ISSF, MRC CIC, Health & Care Research Wales and Welsh Government/Ser Cymru). Her cross-School vision underpinned the successful, cross-disciplinary Arthritis Research UK Biomechanics and Bioengineering Centre, which has attracted £4.5M from Arthritis Research UK (since 2009) and over £10M from six Cardiff University Schools.

She is Director of the £5M Welsh Government and Cardiff University-funded Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Facility and continues to lead UK-wide collaborations linking academics, clinicians and industry.

Professor Holt collaborates widely with UK and international universities and industry, has provided research leadership on council-, charity- and industry-funded projects, and has authored over 100 peer-reviewed papers and conference contributions. She has also written book chapters on the biomechanics of the peripheral joints and spine for the leading Rheumatology Textbook. She is a regular reviewer for international journals, was Guest Editor for the International Journal of Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, and has acted as evaluator or assessor for the European Commission, UK and international research councils, and several charities.

She also contributes to the PSE College EDI Network, the University Dignity Contacts Group, and serves as a School Dignity Contact and member of the School Wellbeing Group.

Honours and awards

  • Chartered Engineer (CEng), Institution of Mechanical Engineers

  • Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (FIMechE)

  • Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales (FLSW)

  • Fellow of the International Orthopaedic Research Societies

  • 2007Royal Academy of Engineering / Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellowship

  • 2017Suffrage Science Award for achievements and commitment to internationally recognised orthopaedic biomechanics research

Professional memberships

  • IMechE: CEng FIMechE
  • Chair BmEA Board, Chair Orthopaedics TAC, IMechE (2017 - 2019)
    • Chair, Annual Medical Engineering Student Competition,2013, 2017
    • Co-Chair IET/IMechE Annual Student Healthcare Technology Competitions 2014-15
    • Co-Chair, IMechE Knee and Hip conferences, 2013- 2015
    • RAEng Biomeical Engineering Panel member - now Healthcare Technology Policy Group
    • IPEM, Biomedical Engineering Special Interest Group
    • IPEM/IET/IMechE Biomeical Engineering Working Group
  • EPSRC College (2006-): Peer Reviewer/Panel member
  • Reviewer, BBSRC/MRC/Royal Society/Welcome Trust, ARUK, ORUK, Dunhill Trust (2012-).
  • EU (2007) Intl Peer and Panel Review, Brussels, FP6 (2007) & FP7 (2013), H2020 (2017)
  • ISB, ISG, ESB, ESMAC, BORS, ORS, OARSI membership- ongoing:
  • Journal Special Issue, Guest Editor:
  • International Journal of Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering (CMBBE): Motion Analysis and Musculoskeletal Modelling.
  • Proceedings of the IMechE, Journal of Engineering in Medicine: Engineering the Upper Limb.

Academic positions

  • Academic career at Cardiff University as a Co-Founder of the Medical Engineering Degree
  • Guest Lecturer
    • Leeds University, Biomechanics Course
    • Bath University, Advanced Biomechanics
    • UiTM Shah Alam Malaysia
    • Katholik University of Leuven, Belgium, Medical Devices Lecture module
    • External examiner of MSc and MPhil at Leeds and Newcastle Universities.
  • External examiner of PhD students at many UK universities including Bath, Imperial College London, Salford, Newcastle, Liverpool John Moores, Leeds, Strathclyde, Swansea, University of Western Australia
  • External examiner for UG Degrees:
    • DCU, Dublin (2013 - 2016)
    • QMUL, London (2017 - 2020)
    • Universoty of Southampton 2017 - 2020)

Supervisions

Current supervision

Past projects

2027 exp., C Thacker, PhD, Neuromechanics of Human Balance and Walking, EPSRC DTP

2025 exp., L Swain, PhD, Imaging and Modelling Pipeline for the knee, EPSRC DTP

2025 exp., A Soto Rosales, PhD, Biomechanical engineering investigation of head injury risks with heading in football, Mexican Govt.

2024, R Jones, PhD, Investigating the role of bone and nerve interactions in osteoarthritic pain and pathology, KESS 2/WG

2024, P Blaikie, PhD, Smart patches for early detection of knee osteoarthritis, EPSRC DTP

2024, M De Vecchis, PhD, Classifying TKR Outcomes, ENGIN/ARUK

2022, J Bowd, PhD, Knee Realignment and gait retraining for OA, ENGIN/ARUK

2019, S Woodgate, PhD, Exploring clinical applications for a novel multi-task functional assessment in HD, ENGIN/BIOSI

2018, N Khatib, PhD, Development of a novel biomaterial., Welsh Govt. NRN/BioPoly

2018, W Charles, PhD, Computer modelling of a smart foot., Welsh Govt. NRN/Swansea

2018, H Ali Lafta, PhD, Dynamic modelling of the shoulder, Iraq Govt

2018, A Ghazwan, PhD, Dynamic modelling of the knee, Iraq Govt

2018, D Williams, PhD, Validation of Image Registration, ARUKBBC

2016, P Biggs, PhD, The effects of loading /alignment, ARUKBBC

2016, R Swaminathan, PhD, Spine biomechanics and loading in rugby, Self-funded

2014, A Metcalfe, PhD, OA affects multiple joint , Clinical Orthop.

2014, D Watling, PhD, In-Vivo loading of the knee during ADLs, DePuy

2014, J Li, PhD, Quantifying knee function…FE models, ARUKBBC

2013, W Ayre, PhD, Development of a novel bone cement, Cardiff

2013, S Armstrong, PhD, Active electrodes/physiological measures, Academic

2011, H Everitt, PhD, Developing new acetabular components, Biomet

2011, L Stroud, PhD, Function of the shoulder…motion/imaging, Scholarship

2011, J Madete, PhD, Motion classification in animal models, Aga Khan F.

2009, J Mahmud, PhD, Measurement and modelling skin, Malay. Govt.

2010, B Lovern, PhD, Motion analysis/classifying shoulder fn., S and N

2009, G Whatling, PhD, Classification of TKR function in-vivo, DePuy

2006, H Liu, PhD, Novel measurement of tooth movements, EPSRC

2004, L Jones, PhD, Classification: OA/normal knee., DePuy

Contact Details

Email [email protected]
Telephone +44 29208 74533
Campuses Queen’s Buildings, Room T/0.08, 5 The Parade, Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 3AA

Research themes

Specialisms

  • Biomechanical engineering
  • Mechanical engineering