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Peter Theobald  BEng(Hons), PGCert, PhD, CEng, MIMechE, SFHEA

Dr Peter Theobald

BEng(Hons), PGCert, PhD, CEng, MIMechE, SFHEA

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Available for postgraduate supervision

Overview

I have over 20 years experience in soft tissue measurement, which has enabled me to develop and lead the successful Medical Experiment, Design + Computational Laboratory (MED+CL).  We are expert generating new knowledge to understand, preserve and enhance soft tissue physiology and function.  We use a combination of experimental methods and computational techniques to characterise soft tissue behaviour, both in vivo and in vitro.

We have a particular interest in inclusivity in sport, focussing on removing barriers and understanding risks. Our primary areas of research include the female athlete, and brain health.  I also have a strong interest in research with potential clinical deliverables - especially orthopaedics, and in cardiac biomechanics, including a recently finished EPSRC-funded study investigating growth and remodelling, and have recently become involved in enhancing cancer-related diagnostics, by leveraging our recent EPSRC infrastructure investment to start developing new imaging phantoms.

Recent Work:

Fig 1. (a) Capturing heading kinematics, from Barnes-Wood et al., 2024. (b) Quantifynig the biaxial response of cardiac tissue, from Ahmad et al., 2023. (c) The hexahedral guide used to create a honeycomb helmet liner, from Adams et al., 2023. (d) Variation in Houndsfield unit achieved when adopting different 3D printing methods, from Lacan et al., 2023.

Industrial Collaboration:

My group and I actively engage with a breadth of industries and Standards committees (in the UK and US), national and international governing bodies.  Our efforts focus on researching and developing novel technologies that can be translated into new products.  We have worked extensively across the personal protection sector (e.g. Charles Owen, Champion Hats, Sports Labs, SPORTTAPE), creating many co-supervised, co-funded research roles that have been valuable in generating industry-specific knowledge and understanding.  An example is the secondment of Finlay Taggart, developing our fundamental work (MacFarlane et al., 2024) to produce an on-pitch method of assessing skin injury risk.  

Fig 2. The launch of our new, laboratory-based device to assess skin injury risk, ahead of its adoption in the revised turf regulations.  The event was attended by World Rugby (sponsors), FIFA, World Rugby Preferred Turf Producers and Accredited Test Institutes (April 2024).  

Publication

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

  • Landham, P. R., Nokes, L. D. M., Byrne, C. B. B., Dowson, D., Dent, C. M. and Theobald, P. 2008. A bio-tribological analysis of paratenonitis. Presented at: STLE/ASME 2008 International Joint Tribology Conference (IJTC2008), Miami, FL, USA, 20-22 October 2008Proceedings of the STLE/ASME 2008 International Joint Tribology Conference (IJTC2008), October 20–22, 2008 , Miami, Florida, USA. ASME Conference Proceedings New York, NY: ASME pp. 131-133., (10.1115/IJTC2008-71158)

2007

2006

2005

Articles

Book sections

Books

Conferences

Thesis

Research

Contracts

Title

People

Sponsor

Value

Duration

Upgrading the small equipment base for early career researchers in the Engineering and Physical Sciences

Holford K, Whatling G, Lees J, Anderson P I, Brousseau E, Cipcigan L M, Pullin R, Bigot S, Theobald P, Simpson R N, Kawashita L F, Clarke A

EPSRC

498k

01/11/2012 - 31/03/2013

Using 'digital' materials to establish a novel investigation platform for cardiac arrest

Theobald P

Ser Cymru NRN Sweasea

57k

01/07/2014 - 30/06/2017

Validating the use of piezoelectric materials for novel application in bio-mechanical engineering

Theobald P

Royal Society

15k

01/04/2013 - 31/03/2014

Optimising Impact protection through additive manufacturing

Theobald P

EPSRC via Nottingham University

3k

15/08/2014 - 14/03/2015

Putting the 'Spark' Back into Electrical Engineering (Ingenius Public Engagement Grant)

Theobald P

Royal Academy of Engineering

30k

01/04/2014 - 31/07/2015

Increasing the acceptance of safety headwear within the climbing

Theobald P

Welsh European Funding Office

40k

01/03/2013 - 28/02/2014

Can providing 3D printing be used to enhance cardiopulmonary resucitation techniques?

Theobald P, Clarke A

Welsh Crucible

10k

01/12/2013 - 31/08/2014

Biomechanical analysis of dual bridge plating

Theobald P, Jones M

Biomet Manufacturing LLC

25k

01/06/2014 - 15/02/2015

The use of novel materials to enhance motorcyclist safety in developing countries

Theobald P, M. Alves (Fellow)

Royal Society - Newton Fund

12k

01/11/2015 - 31/07/2017

New and novel materials to reduce head injury

Theobald P, Soe S

EPSRC IAA

20k

15/06/2015 - 30/09/2015

Developing novel materials to enhance motorcycle safety

Theobald P, Soe S

KESS II

80k

01/01/2016 - 31/12/2019

Quantifying probable region-specific microstructural and biomechanical variations In mature porcine tissue

Theobald P

EPSRC via Glasgow University

6k

1/10/18 – 30/4/19

Growth and remodelling in the porcine heart – pushing mathematics through experiments

Theobald P, Soe S, Yang X (in collaboration with Glasgow and Swansea Universities)

EPSRC

£341k (£800k total)

01/05/2019-30/04/2022

Novel, rate-dependent material to enhance helmet liner performance

Theobald P, Soe S

Football Research Inc

£80k

01/03/2019-15/07/2020

Novel test device for the standardised measurement of skin friction on synthetic surfaces

Theobald P

World Rugby

£57k

01/07/2019-30/06/2022

Developing advanced protective materials via an enhanced understanding of brain injury

Theobald P

KESS II

£82k

01/10/2019-30/09/2022

Strategic investment in Cardiff University's functional material capabilities

Graham K, Theobald P, Ladak S

EPSRC

£577k

01/11/2020- 30/04/2022

Soccer heading and head health

Theobald P

EPSRC IAA

£14k

01/11/2020 - 31/10/2021

Improving equestrian helmet performance

Theobald P

Innovate UK/KTP

£278k

01/01/2021-30/06/2023

Improving equestrian helmet performance

Theobald P

Welsh European Funding Office

£22k

01/01/2021-30/06/2023

Enhancing the adoption of a new test method for synthetic surfaces

Theobald P

EPSRC IAA

£50k

01/11/2023 - 31/12/2024

Teaching

I teach a range of subjects that consider musculoskeletal biomechanics, and how the implementation of innovative design can add to this valuable area.  These modules include:

  • EN2451 - Biomechanics 1, focussing on the fundamentals of the musculoskeletal system.
  • EN3450 - Biomechanics 2, considering the implementation of emerging technologies to design and manufacture patient-specific surgical guides.
  • EN4119 - Ergonomics, introducing a novel intervention that can improve and/or protect musculoskeletal functionality, with efficacy tested on a participant population.

I supervise undergraduate and postgraduate individual projects, and am a Personal Tutor to undergraduate Medical Engineering students.  I am also a Senior Fellow at Advanced HE (formerly the Higher Education Academy).

Biography

My research focusses on the interface of engineering and medicine.  Alongside my team, we aim to identify new and novel solutions to reduce the risk of mortality, morbidity and injury, with a particular interest in application to sports and orthopaedics.  Our research is of both a fundamental and applied nature, meaning we work with a range of academic, clinical and industrial collaborators within the UK and overseas.  Internally, I hold memberships in both the High Value Manufacturing, and Medical Engineering, research groups.

My research team are primarily focussed on increasing inclusivity, or removing barriers to participation, in sport. We use our understanding of engineering and biology to better understand the anatomy and physiology of healthy and at-risk soft tisues, to then propose interventions that further enhance athlete participation. Under-represented populations, including the female and youth athlete, are special interests. We perform fundamental science, whilst engaging with policy makers and industry, to maximise the impact of our unique knowledge and expertise. 

My research also includes a wider spectrum of engineering applied to medicine, meaning we work with a range of clinical colleagues and academic collaborators within the UK and overseas.  I am active in orthopaedics - especially looking at how additive manufacturing can improve patient care.  We have also worked investigating how the biomechancial behaviour of cardiac tissue changes with age, included the recently ended project funded by the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council, alongside the prestigious SoftMECH centre (University of Glasgow) and Swansea University.

My career started in 2003, graduating in Medical Engineering from the University of Bradford (1st Class (Hons)), at the time being one of very few universities to offer such a programme.  I moved to Cardiff School of Engineering to read my PhD in soft tissue biomechanics, focusing on the tendo Achilles insertion site.  I performed a series of biomechanical and anatomical analyses, revealing the complex interaction between adjacent tissues that ensures the interface can withstand such high loads.  I was supervised by Professor Len Nokes (School of Engineering), the late Professor Mike Benjamin (School of Biosciences) and the late Professor Colin Dent (School of Medicine).

I am now a recognised expert in the Medical Engineering field and frequently review grants and papers, and examine students, across the UK and internationally.

Professional memberships

  • Chartered Engineer (IMechE)
  • Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers
  • Senior Fellow of the Advanced HE (formerly the Higher Education Academy)
  • ASTM (American Society for Testing & Materials) Member for F08: Sports equipment and facilities, including F08.53: Helmets
  • British Standards committee member (Helmets for Equestrian Activities)

Academic positions

  • 2020 - Present: Reader, School of Engineering, Cardiff University
  • 2015 - 2020: Senior Lecturer, School of Engineering, Cardiff University
  • 2007 - 2015: Lecturer, School of Engineering, Cardiff University
  • 2006 - 2007: Postdoctoral Research Associate, School of Engineering, Cardiff University

Committees and reviewing

Review Editor (Biomechanics)

Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology

2022 - present

Editorial Board Member

Biosurface & Biotribology

2020 - present

Editorial Board Member

Journal of Medical Engineering & Technology

2020 - present

Associate Peer Review College membership

EPSRC

2018 - present

Advisory Board Member

Journal of Sports Science

2017 - present

International Faculty Member

International Congress of Joint Reconstruction (Middle East)

2016 - present

Programme Chair

Sustainable Design & Manufacturing

2015 - 6

Journal Reviewer:

  • Acta Physiologica
  • J Biomech
  • J Med Eng Tech
  • Sports Biomech
  • J Tribol
  • J Orthop Res
  • Friction
  • J Eng Med
  • J Sport Sci
  • J Sci Med Sport
  • Mat & Design
  • Cardiology
  • Bio Mod in Mech
  • Med Eng Phys
  • J Sports Eng Tech

Supervisions

My research group focuses on areas including:

  • Inclusivity in sport, by focussing on under-represented athletes, including female and youth
  • Head protection
  • Injury prevention
  • Light-weighting
  • Energy absorption
  • Additive manufacturing for medical application
  • Orthopaedics

Please contact me using the above details should your interests lie within these areas

My current research students and their topics include:

Title Student Status Degree
Using tape to increase inclusivity in sport  BUTCHER, Freya Current PhD
Investigating the risk of anterior cruciate ligament rupture in female athletes ZHANG, Xinkai Current PhD
Using finite element analysis as a platform to investigate osteoarthritis progression in the human hand WEI, Han Current PhD
Correlating the structural characteristics and aging of brain tissue XU, Lanxi Current PhD
Correlating the biomechanical characteristics and aging of brain tissue LEI, Rujing Current PhD
Enhancing head protection and brain health in sports impacts BARNES-WOOD, Meg Current PhD
Using patient-specific approaches to minimise radiation exposure when surgically stabilising distal radial fractures AL-NEHAYAN, Mansoor Current PhD
Multiphysical solutions for safety helmets STOFF, Jasmin Writing up PhD
Developing advanced protective materials via an enhanced understanding of brain injury MCCLOSKEY, Hugh Writing up PhD
Investigating the wobble-board to improving stability in the diabetic population ALJAWAEE, Madawi Writing up PhD

Current supervision

Lanxi Xu

Lanxi Xu

Graduate Demonstrator

Rujing Lei

Rujing Lei

Graduate Demonstrator

Jasmin Stoff

Jasmin Stoff

Research student

Hugh McCloskey

Hugh McCloskey

Research student

Mansoor Alnehayan

Mansoor Alnehayan

Research student

Xinkai Zhang

Xinkai Zhang

Graduate Demonstrator

Freya Butcher

Freya Butcher

Research student

Past projects

My past PhD graduates and projects include:

Dr Max MacFarlane, PhD graduate 2024:

The skin injury device: a tribological analysis of rugby turf to enhance player welfare 

Dr Rhosslyn Adams, PhD graduate 2022:

On a finite element based approach to the design and optimisation of elastomeric additively manufactured cellular structures for impact mitigation in helmets

Dr Benjamin Hanna, PhD graduate 2021:

Development of a metamaterial for use in Americal football head protection.

Dr Michael Robinson, PhD graduate 2020:

Developing novel materials to enhance motorcyclist safety.

Dr Faizan Ahmad, PhD graduate 2018:

Establishing the material parameters of the neonatal porcine ventricular myocardium

Dr Jeyapal Kandasamy, PhD graduate 2018:

Can infant CPR performance be improved through the provision of 'real time' feedback

Dr Ghaidaa Khalid, PhD graduate 2018:

A coupled physical-computational methodolgy for the investigation of short fall related infant head impact

Dr Samar Shaabeth, PhD graduate 2018:

Establishing a FSI platform for investigating infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Dr Raee Alqhtani, PhD graduate 2016:

Developing a methodology to perform measurements of multi-spinal regions and lumbar-hip complex kinematics during dominant daily tasks

Dr Ramesh Swaminathan, PhD graduate 2016:

An investigation to establish how the evolution of rugby influences the risk of spinal injury during scrummaging

Dr Jonathon Hughes, PhD graduate 2014:

Biomechanics of skull fracture and intracranial injury in young children as a consequence of a low height fall

Dr Philip Martin, PhD graduate 2013:

Engineering an improvement in chest compression quality during simulated infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation

 

Contact Details

Email TheobaldPS@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone +44 29208 74726
Campuses Queen's Buildings - South Building, Room S/2.10, 5 The Parade, Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 3AA

Research themes

Specialisms

  • Injury prevention
  • Biomedical engineering
  • Biomechanics