Professor Edward Chadwick

Biography

Prof Chadwick is a Biomedical Engineer with research interests in biomechanics, modelling and simulation of human movement, and rehabilitation engineering. After gaining a first-class degree in Mechanical Engineering at Nottingham University, he went on to complete a PhD in Bioengineering at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow.

Following international post-doctoral positions at the Technical University of Delft in the Netherlands, and Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, he returned to the UK in 2008. He was a Lecturer in Biomechanics at the University of Aberystwyth until 2012, and Lecturer / Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Engineering at Keele University until 2019.

Prof Chadwick joined the School of Engineering at Aberdeen as Reader in Bioengineering in October 2019, and became Director of Research for the School and Professor of Bioengineering in 2022.

Research Overview

The goal of my research is to apply engineering principles to facilitate restoration of function in people with activity-limiting movement disorders of the upper limb arising from neuromuscular conditions, orthopaedic problems and limb difference. The restoration of function can allow the resumption of independent living, the maintenance of health through exercise and the reduction of pain and discomfort.

My areas of expertise are in shoulder biomechanics, modelling and simulation of movement, human movement analysis, Functional Electrical Stimulation and advanced prosthetic devices.

Current Research

One of my main areas of research currently is the development of real-time models for the simulation of arm and hand function. A musculoskeletal model that can simulate the dynamics of the human arm in real time allows the creation of a realistic 'virtual arm'. This can be used as a replacement for the real arm in the development and testing of advanced neural prosthesis systems, or as a controller for a myoelectric prosthesis. This also allows rapid development and extensive testing of complex devices whilst reducing the burden on human participants.

Alongside bioengineering and the development of assistive technologies, I am interested in understanding more about the normal and pathological function of the upper limb musculoskeletal system, in particular the shoulder. As such, part of my work also attempts to apply the modelling and simulation tools that we develop to understanding more about shoulder function and stability, both in terms of the glenohumeral joint and control of the scapula.

Finally, I am working with clinical colleagues at a specialist orthopaedic hospital on a project to improve the understanding of foot deformity in children with cerebral palsy. It is hoped that better understanding through advanced measurement and modelling will lead to better treatments to address pain and mobility issues.

Funding and Grants

• 2021 – 24 Private Physiotherapy Educational Foundation, Shoulder instability in children: understanding muscle activity and movement pattern differences, Co-I, £30k.
• 2021 – 23 Action Medical Research, Exploration of the role of subtalar joint morphology in the development of foot deformity in cerebral palsy, Co-I, £148k.
• 2018 – 22 Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Personalised approach to restoration of arm function in people with high-level tetraplegia, PI, £387k.
• 2017 – 18 Institute for Physics and Engineering in Medicine, Intelligent FES for restoring arm movement in people with tetraplegia, PI, £10k.
• 2016 – 19 Orthopaedic Institute, Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, Biomechanical modelling of toe walking gait to inform the prescription of ankle foot orthoses in children with cerebral palsy (AFOs), Co-Investigator, £44k.
• 2015–20 National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NIH), Intracortical control of FES-restored arm and hand function in people with SCI, subcontract with Case Western Reserve University, £38k.
• 2015–18 Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Enabling Technologies for Sensory Feedback in Next-Generation Assistive Devices, Co-Investigator, collaboration with Newcastle (lead), Leeds, Essex, Southampton and Imperial College, £1.44m.
• 2014–17 Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Image-based estimation of musculoskeletal parameters for patient-specific modelling, PhD studentship, £53k.
• 2014–16 Guy Hilton Asthma Trust, Validation of Structured Light Plethysmography in Acute Viral Bronchiolitis, Principal Investigator, collaboration with University Hospitals of North Midlands, £30k.
• 2013–15 Pneumacare Ltd, Validation of Structured Light Plethysmography: Pre/Post Bronchodilation Challenge, Principal Investigator, collaboration with University Hospitals of North Midlands, £29k.
• 2012–15 National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIH subcontract via Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago), Software development for musculoskeletal simulations, £31k.
• 2013–14 Keele University MRC Centenary Funding (Bridging the Gaps), Continuous control of advanced myoelectric prostheses, PI, £6.5k.
• 2006–8 Telemedicine & Advanced Technology Research Center, Prosthetic arm control device for amputees, Research Co-investigator.
• 2005–8 National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NIH), Controller development for upper limb movement, Research Co-investigator.
• 2005–8 National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NIH), Restoration of Hand and Arm Function by Functional Electrical Stimulation, Research Coinvestigator.

Teaching Responsibilities

Prof Chadwick’s teaching focuses mainly on biomechanics, healthcare technologies, medical devices and other areas related to biomedical engineering.

Programme Lead

• MSc Biomedical Engineering

 Course Coordinator

• Fundamentals of Engineering in Medicine
• Rehabilitation Engineering and Biomechanics

Past Contributions

• Research Methods for Bioengineers
• Introduction to Engineering for Life Scientists
• Human Factors Engineering
• Fearsome Engines

Non-course Teaching Responsibilities

Individual project supervision at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.