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The Suttie Centre

Dr Flora Gröning

Dr Flora Gröning
Dr Flora Gröning
Dr Flora Gröning

MA, PhD, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)

Senior Lecturer

About
Email Address
f.groening@abdn.ac.uk
Office Address

Anatomy

The Suttie Centre

University of Aberdeen

Foresterhill

Aberdeen AB25 2ZD

School/Department
School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition
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Biography

Programme coordinator for the BSc Biomedical Sciences (Anatomy) degree & course coordinator for BM2009 - Human Anatomy A

I lead 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.

Honours & Awards:

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)

Scottish Crucible 2015

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.

External Memberships

Anatomical Society

Anatomische Gesellschaft

European Society of Biomechanics

Research

Research Overview

My core interests include structure-function relationships in connective tissues (such as bone and tendon), the application of 3D modelling to the field of musculoskeletal research with the ultimate aim to develop new tools for patient-specific modelling and the development and evaluation of new interactive 3D learning tools for Anatomy.

Knowledge Exchange

As STEM Ambassador I frequently coordinate and take part in public engagement events about 3D modelling, Anatomy and musculoskeletal research.

Funding and Grants

Wellcome Trust ISSF Public Engagement Grant 2022-2023

Carnegie Trust Undergraduate Vacation Scholarship 2020

IEMDS Summer Teaching Development Studentship 2018

Roland Sutton Academic Trust Grant 2017-2022

Tenvus Scotland Grant 2017-2018

Impact Knowledge Exchange & Commercialisation Award 2017

CLSM Curriculum Development Studentship 2017

CLSM Curriculum Development Studentship 2016

Roland Sutton Academic Trust Grant 2015-2016

Anatomical Society Summer Research Scholarship 2015

BBSRC Research Grant 2015-2018

BBSRC Research Grant 2011-2014

EU Marie Curie Integration Grant 2011-2014

Teaching

Teaching Responsibilities

Programme coordinator for the BSc/MSci Biomedical Sciences (Anatomy) degree

Course coordinator for BM2009 - Human Anatomy A

Teaching on the following courses:

  • Human Anatomy for MBChB Years 1-3
  • AN3009 Architecture of Life
  • AN3504 Human Movement Dissected
  • AY1502 Archaeology in Action
  • BM2009 Human Anatomy A
  • BM2509 Human Anatomy B
  • BM4010 Advanced Molecules Membranes and Cells
  • BM4501 Biomedical Sciences Honours Project (incl. project skills workshops)
  • ME33HA Medical Humanities
  • SR3508 Clinical Exercise Physiology
  • SR4301 Exercise Physiology
  • MSc Medical Physics and Medical Imaging
  • PGCert/Msc in Clinical Education

Recipient of the Principal's Teaching Excellence Award: Commendation Prize 2023 and Best Undergraduate Lecturer Award 2022. Nominated for the Best Postgraduate Supervisor Award 2022 and Best Undergraduate Lecturer Award 2024 (University of Aberdeen)

My video projects to support Anatomy students (in collaboration with Zee Allison and Colm Sheenan): Top tips for effective Anatomy revision, How to make the most of Anatomy practical classes & Dissection Safety

My projects to develop new 3D learning resources for Anatomy teaching have been supported by the Roland Sutton Academic Trust and Curriculum Development Summer Studentships funded by the Development Trust of the University of Aberdeen. My key partner in many of these project has been my former research assistant and PhD student Laura Pérez-Pachón.

Publications

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  • Enhancing Biomedical Education: Integrating Digital Visualization and 3D Technologies

    Gröning, F. (ed.)
    Springer. 408 pages
    Books and Reports: Books

  • Augmented reality headsets for surgical guidance: the impact of holographic model positions on user localisation accuracy

    Perez-Pachon, L., Sharma, P., Brech, H., Gregory, J., Lowe, T., Poyade, M., Gröning, F.
    Virtual Reality, vol. 28, 68
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Evaluating a Photogrammetry-based Video for Undergraduate Anatomy Education

    Gianotto, I., Coutts, A., Perez-Pachon, L., Gröning, F.
    Biomedical Visualisation. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. Border, S., Rea, P. M., Keenan, I. D. (eds.). 1 edition. Springer, pp. 63-78, 16 pages
    Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Chapters (Peer-Reviewed)

  • Anatomy PALs: a student-led learning community

    Zorn, A., Gröning, F.
    HETL 2023
    Contributions to Conferences: Posters

  • Assessment of the mechanical role of cranial sutures in the mammalian skull: Computational biomechanical modelling of the rat skull

    Sharp, A., Dutel, H., Watson, P. J., Gröning, F., Crumpton, N., Fagan, M. J., Evans, S. E.
    Journal of morphology, vol. 284, no. 3, e21555
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Microstructure and mechanics of the periodontal ligament

    Gröning, F.
    Contributions to Conferences: Oral Presentations

  • PALs for life (sciences):: building a student-led learning community

    Zorn, A., Gröning, F.
    13th Annual Academic Development Symposium
    Contributions to Conferences: Posters

  • 3D photogrammetry models of human specimens: a useful resource for teaching and public engagement (Keynote Talk)

    Gröning, F., Perez-Pachon, L., Aliotta, S., Collas, C., Fertikova, A., Koos, N., Struck, R., Curtis, N., Crozier, R.
    Anatomical Society Virtual Winter Meeting, O20
    Contributions to Journals: Abstracts

  • Prosection-based human anatomy teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic

    Gröning, F., Allardyce, H., Hanna, K., Tracey, C., Vilcina, V.
    Anatomical Society Virtual Winter Meeting, P4
    Contributions to Journals: Abstracts

  • Computational biomechanical modelling of the rabbit cranium during mastication

    Watson, P. J., Sharp, A., Choudhary, T., Fagan, M. J., Dutel, H., Evans, S. E., Gröning, F.
    Scientific Reports, vol. 11, 13196
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Effect of marker position and size on the registration accuracy of HoloLens in a non-clinical setting with implications for high-precision surgical tasks

    Perez-Pachon, L., Sharma, P., Brech, H., Gregory, J., Lowe, T., Poyade, M., Gröning, F.
    International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery , vol. 16, pp. 955-966
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Comparative cranial biomechanics in two lizard species: impact of variation in cranial design

    Dutel, H., Gröning, F., Sharp, A., Watson, P. J., Herrel, A., Ross, C. F., Jones, M. E. H., Evans, S. E., Fagan, M. J.
    Journal of Experimental Biology, vol. 224, no. Pt 5, jeb.234831
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Image overlay surgery based on augmented reality: a systematic review

    Perez-Pachon, L., Poyade, M., Lowe, T., Gröning, F.
    Biomedical Visualisation: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. Rea, P. M. (ed.). Springer, pp. 175-195, 21 pages
    Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Chapters (Peer-Reviewed)

  • The biomechanical role of the chondrocranium and the material properties of cartilage

    Jones, M. E. H., Gröning, F., Aspden, R., Dutel, H., Sharp, A., Moazen, M., Fagan, M. J., Evans, S. E.
    Vertebrate Zoology, vol. 70, no. 4, pp. 699-715
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Contrast-enhancing staining for microCT-based visualisation of the fibrous structure in the human Achilles tendon enthesis

    Eerden, J., Kartal, M., Kerckhofs, G., Gröning, F.
    Contributions to Conferences: Oral Presentations

  • Augmented reality guidance for free flap reconstructive surgery – a pilot study

    Perez-Pachon, L., Poyade, M., Lowe, T., Gröning, F.
    Contributions to Conferences: Oral Presentations

  • Application of Photogrammetry in Biomedical Science

    Struck, R., Cordoni, S., Aliotta, S., Perez-Pachon, L., Gröning, F.
    Biomedical Visualisation. Rea, P. M. (ed.). Springer, pp. 121-130, 10 pages
    Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Chapters (Peer-Reviewed)

  • An assessment of the role of the falx cerebri and tentorium cerebelli in the cranium of the cat (Felis silvestris catus)

    Sellés de Lucas, V., Dutel, H., Evans, S. E., Gröning, F., Sharp, A. C., Watson, P. J., Fagan, M. J.
    Journal of the Royal Society Interface, vol. 15, no. 147, 20180278
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Game-based virtual learning environment for human anatomy teaching

    Clarke, J., Carr, A., Dolan, J., Pedro, E., Watt, C., Perez-Pachon, L., Robertson, P., Sloan, R., Gröning, F.
    Winter Meeting of the Anatomical Society 2017, P11
    Contributions to Journals: Abstracts

  • Virtual 3D models of the human brain to enhance neuroanatomy teaching

    Van Ladesteijn, R., Perez-Pachon, L., Gröning, F.
    Winter Meeting of the Anatomical Society 2017, S39
    Contributions to Journals: Abstracts

  • Mechanical adaptation of trabecular bone morphology in the mammalian mandible

    Watson, P. J., Fitton, L. C., Meloro, C., Fagan, M. J., Gröning, F.
    Scientific Reports, vol. 8, 7277
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Collagen fibre orientation in the human temporal fascia

    Connachan, R., Evans, S. E., Fagan, M., Gröning, F.
    Winter Meeting of the Anatomical Society 2017, pp. 1038-1064
    Contributions to Journals: Abstracts

  • The biomechanical role of the chondrocranium and sutures in a lizard cranium

    Jones, M. E. H., Gröning, F., Dutel, H., Sharp, A., Fagan, M. J., Evans, S. E.
    Journal of the Royal Society Interface, vol. 14, no. 137, 20170637
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Inclusion of periodontal ligament fibres in mandibular finite element models leads to an increase in alveolar bone strains

    McCormack, S., Witzel, U., Watson, P., Fagan, M., Groening, F.
    PloS ONE, vol. 12, no. 11, pp. 1-23
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Digital 3D models for human anatomy teaching

    Perez-Pachon, L., Gröning, F.
    Contributions to Conferences: Oral Presentations

  • Virtual Anatomy @Aberdeen: enhancing cadaver-based teaching with photorealistic 3D modelling and tools from computer gaming (Keynote Talk)

    Gröning, F.
    Contributions to Conferences: Oral Presentations

  • Functional adaptations in wrap-around tendons of the human foot

    Ogilvie, K. M., Gröning, F.
    Anatomical Society Winter Meeting 2015
    Contributions to Conferences: Posters

  • Three-dimensional morphology and synostosis of the human zygomaticotemporal suture

    Robertson, K. L., Gregory, J., Gröning, F.
    Contributions to Conferences: Oral Presentations

  • Masticatory biomechanics in the rabbit: a multi-body dynamics analysis

    Watson, P. J., Gröning, F., Curtis, N., Fitton, L. C., Herrel, A., McCormack, S. W., Fagan, M. J.
    Journal of the Royal Society Interface, vol. 11, no. 99, 20140564
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • The biomechanical function of periodontal ligament fibres in orthodontic tooth movement

    McCormack, S., Witzel, U., Watson, P. J., Fagan, M. J., Gröning, F.
    PloS ONE, vol. 9, no. 7, e102387
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • The importance of accurate muscle modelling for biomechanical analyses: a case study with a lizard skull

    Gröning, F., Jones, M. E. H., Curtis, N., Herrel, A., O'Higgins, P., Evans, S. E., Fagan, M. J.
    Journal of the Royal Society Interface, vol. 10, no. 84, 20130216
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Comparing the distribution of strains with the distribution of bone tissue in a human mandible: a finite element study

    Gröning, F., Fagan, M., O'higgins, P.
    The Anatomical Record Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology, vol. 296, no. 1, pp. 9-18
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Virtual functional morphology: novel approaches to the study of craniofacial form and function

    O'Higgins, P., Fitton, L. C., Phillips, R., Shi, J. F., Liu, J., Gröning, F., Cobb, S. N., Fagan, M. J.
    Evolutionary Biology, vol. 39, no. 4, pp. 521-535
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Comment on "The effects of modelling simplifications on craniofacial finite element models: the alveoli (tooth sockets) and periodontal ligaments" (volume 44, issue 10, pages 1831-1838)

    Gröning, F., Fagan, M. J.
    Journal of Biomechanics, vol. 45, no. 9, pp. 1749-51
    Contributions to Journals: Letters

  • Improving the validation of finite element models with quantitative full-field strain comparisons

    Gröning, F., Bright, J. A., Fagan, M. J., O'Higgins, P.
    Journal of Biomechanics, vol. 45, no. 8, pp. 1498-1506
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Modeling the human mandible under masticatory loads: which input variables are important?

    Gröning, F., Fagan, M., O'Higgins, P.
    The Anatomical Record Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology, vol. 295, no. 5, pp. 853-63
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • The earliest evidence for anatomically modern humans in northwestern Europe

    Higham, T., Compton, T., Stringer, C., Jacobi, R., Shapiro, B., Trinkaus, E., Chandler, B., Gröning, F., Collins, C., Hillson, S., O'Higgins, P., FitzGerald, C., Fagan, M.
    Nature, vol. 479, no. 7374, pp. 521-524
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Strain accommodation in the zygomatic arch of the pig: a validation study using digital speckle pattern interferometry and finite element analysis

    Bright, J. A., Gröning, F.
    Journal of morphology, vol. 272, no. 11, pp. 1388-98
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • The effects of the periodontal ligament on mandibular stiffness: a study combining finite element analysis and geometric morphometrics

    Gröning, F., Fagan, M. J., O'Higgins, P.
    Journal of Biomechanics, vol. 44, no. 7, pp. 1304-1312
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Why do humans have chins?: Testing the mechanical significance of modern human symphyseal morphology with finite element analysis

    Gröning, F., Liu, J., Fagan, M. J., O'Higgins, P.
    American Journal of Physical Anthropology, vol. 144, no. 4, pp. 593-606
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Combining geometric morphometrics and functional simulation: an emerging toolkit for virtual functional analyses

    O'Higgins, P., Cobb, S. N., Fitton, L. C., Gröning, F., Phillips, R., Liu, J., Fagan, M. J.
    Journal of Anatomy, vol. 218, no. 1, pp. 3-15
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Validating a voxel-based finite element model of a human mandible using digital speckle pattern interferometry

    Gröning, F., Liu, J., Fagan, M. J., O'Higgins, P.
    Journal of Biomechanics, vol. 42, no. 9, pp. 1224-1229
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Facial mechanics in early hominins: a study combining geometric morphometrics and finite elements analysis

    O'Higgins, P., Cobb, S. N., Fitton, L., Groening, F., Phillips, R., Fagan, M. J., O'Higgins, P.
    American Journal of Physical Anthropology, vol. 138, no. S48, pp. 201-202
    Contributions to Journals: Abstracts

  • Mind the gap. A finite element study of the retromolar space and its relation to cortical thickness distribution in the mandibular ramus

    Groening, F., Fagan, M. J., O'Higgins, P., O'Higgins, P.
    American Journal of Physical Anthropology, vol. 138, no. S48, pp. 140
    Contributions to Journals: Abstracts

  • Biomechanical Significance of Morphological Variation Between the Gracile Australopithecus Africanus (STS5) and Robust Australopethicus Boisei (OH5)

    Fitton, L., Gröning, F., Cobb, S., Fagan, M., O'Higgins, P.
    Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, vol. 29, no. Suppl. 1, 96A
    Contributions to Journals: Abstracts

  • Variation in Mandibular Morphology Within Late Homo and its Relevance to Masticatory Load Resistance

    Groening, F., Fagan, M., O'Higgins, P.
    Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, vol. 29, no. Suppl. 1, pp. 109A
    Contributions to Journals: Abstracts

  • Finite element modelling of anterior dental loading in modern human and Neanderthal mandibles

    Groning, F., O'Higgins, P.
    American Journal of Physical Anthropology, vol. 135, no. S46, pp. 108
    Contributions to Journals: Abstracts

  • Die Blätterhöhle in Hagen (Westfalen): Vorbericht der ersten archäologischen Untersuchungen

    Orschiedt, J., Kegler, J., Gehlen, B., Schön, W., Gröning, F.
    Archaologisches Korrespondenzblatt, vol. 38, no. 1, pp. 13-32
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • The Blatterhohle in Hagen (Westphalia): preliminary report on the first archaeological investigations

    Orschiedt, J., Kegler, J. F., Gehlen, B., Schoen, W., Gröning, F.
    Archaologisches Korrespondenzblatt, vol. 38, no. 1, pp. 13-32
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Die digitale Welt der Neandertaler - NESPOS, ein Online-Archiv für die Neandertalerforschung

    Gröning, F., Kegler, J., Weniger, G.
    Archaologisches Korrespondenzblatt, vol. 37, no. 3, pp. 321-333
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • The digital world of Neanderthals - NESPOS, an online archive for Neanderthal research

    Gröning, F., Weniger, G., Kegler, J. F.
    Archaologisches Korrespondenzblatt, vol. 37, no. 3, pp. 321-333
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Virtual study of the endocranial morphology of the matrix-filled cranium from Eliye Springs, Kenya

    Bräuer, G., Groden, C., Gröning, F., Kroll, A., Kupczik, K., Mbua, E., Pommert, A., Schiemann, T.
    Anatomical Record, The, Part A: Discoveries in Molecular, Cellular, and Evolutionary Biology, vol. 276, no. 2, pp. 113-33
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

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