Biography
Programme lead for the BSc Biomedical Sciences (Anatomy) degree and lead for the development of digital 3D Anatomy learning tools at the University of Aberdeen.
In my research, I am interested in structure-function relationships in connective tissues (such as bone and tendon) and the application of 3D modelling to biomechanics and musculoskeletal research with the ultimate aim to develop new tools for patient-specific modelling. For my PhD at the University of York, I studied the mechanics of the human lower jaw using a combination of virtual 3D reconstruction techniques, 3D mechanical modelling and experiments.
As an Honorary Curatorial Fellow of the University Museums at the University of Aberdeen I have coordinated the 3D digitisation of specimens to promote our museum collections. This work builds on my previous experience as a project manager at the Neanderthal Museum in Germany, where I was responsible for the digitisation of the German Neanderthal fossils and contributed to the development of an online archive for palaeoanthropologists and archaeologists.
Just published: Gröning F (ed.) Enhancing Biomedical Education: Integrating Digital Visualization and 3D Technologies
Honours & Awards:
Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy 2025 (Advance HE)
Principal's Teaching Excellence Award: Commendation Prize 2023 (University of Aberdeen)
Best Undergraduate Lecturer 2022 (University of Aberdeen)
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy 2019 (Advance HE)
Newsworthy Activities:
My video projects to support Anatomy students
3D Anatomy tools applied to a cat mummy (covered by STV, The Scotsman, The Press and Journal and the Science website)
Development of a new digital Anatomy learning tool (covered by e.g., The Scotsman and The Press and Journal)
Computer models to cut down on animal experiments (BBSRC blog)
Our work on a human fossil from Kent’s Cavern (published in Nature in 2011) made it into the Guardian's 2011 list of the year's 10 biggest science stories.
