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Physics and Astronomy

Photo of Prof Jude Meakin

Prof Jude Meakin

Associate Professor in Spine Biomechanics

 J.R.Meakin@exeter.ac.uk

 (Streatham) 4109 or (Streatham) 6624

 01392 724109 or 01392 726624


Overview

Roles

Research Interests

My research is concerned with understanding the human spine and its associated tissues. My previous work has highlighted the wide inter-subject variability in spinal shape and shown that this shape is partially maintained in different postures. My goal is to understand whether this variation is anatomical or postural and determine how it affects biomechanics and biomaterials both in healthy spines and those suffering from spinal disorders. I collaborate with a variety of academic and clinical colleagues.

Current projects include:

  • developing novel methods for generating subject-specific spinal models (see IDSSSM website for more details);
  • exploring magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy methods for assessing spinal muscle function in vivo;
  • understanding the relationship between composition, structure, and function in the spinal tissues.

I am offering to supervise self-funded PhD students in the areas of:

  • spinal tissue structure and mechanics (experimental, imaging and modelling);
  • whole spine biomechanics (experimental, imaging and modelling).

Education and Employment

  • 2022 - Associate professor, University of Exeter
  • 2016 - 2022 Senior lecturer, University of Exeter
  • 2010 - 2015 Lecturer, University of Exeter
  • 2002 - 2010 Research fellow, University of Aberdeen
  • 2001 - 2002 Research associate, University of Calgary, Canada
  • 1999 - 2001 Research assistant/fellow, University of Aberdeen
  • 1995 - 1998 PhD Biomedical Physics & Bioengineering, University of Aberdeen
  • 1994 - 1995 MSc Information Technology (Medical Physics), University of Aberdeen
  • 1990 - 1993 BSc Hons Physics, University of Manchester

Externally Funded Research Projects

  • "Image-driven subject-specific spine models", EPSRC, 01 Oct 2021 - 30 Sep 2024, £801,230, (PI)
  • "Thoracic vertebral shape: comparison of scoliotic and non-scoliotic vertebrae using MR images and statistical shape modelling", British Scoliosis Research Foundation, 04 Jan 2021 - 30 Jun 2022, £39,948, (PI)
  • "The human vertebral endplate: its biomechanics and involvement in spinal disorders", Orthopaedic Research UK, 01 Apr 2016 - 31 Mar 2019, £74,690, (Co-I)
  • "Estimation of in vivo inter-vertebral loading during motion using fluoroscopic and MRI informed finite element models", Chiropractic Research Council, 01 Jul 2015 - 31 Jun 2016, £40,344, (Co-I)
  • "The CSPINE study: investigating the acceptability and efficacy of computer-aided detection software for cervical spine fracture diagnosis", Royal Devon & Exeter small grants, 01 Feb 2015 - 31 Jul 2015, £10,201, (Co-I)
  • "Needle injury to the annulus of the intervertebral disc: mechanisms and minimisation", The Henry Smith Charity, 01 Nov 2014 - 31 Oct 2017, £155,200, (Co-I)
  • "Vertebral morphology characterisation: developing reliable methods for scoliosis research", British Scoliosis Research Foundation, 01 Aug 2013 - 31 Jul 2014, £33,329, (PI)
  • "Characterisation of the three-dimensional shape of human vertebrae using statistical shape methods", Royal Society, 01 Apr 2013 - 31 Mar 2014, £9,666, (PI)
  • "Linking the shape of the hip, knee and spine in back pain and disc degeneration", Grampian NHS Trust Endowments, 01 Apr 2010 - 31 Mar 2012, £10,800, (PI)
  • "Spinal posture and the dynamics of load and lifting", Grampian NHS Trust Endowments, 01 Apr 2008 - 31 Mar 2009, £8,000, (PI)
  • "Imaging markers for muscle function", Translational Medicine Research Collaboration, 01 Jun 2008 - 31 Nov 2009, £626,053, (Co-I)
  • "Stress analysis of the human proximal femur and the role of the ligaments and muscles", Arthritis Research Campaign, 01 Oct 2007 - 30 Sep 2010, £106,252, (Co-I)
  • "The shape of the spine and its effects on normal biomechanics", Grampian NHS Trust Endowments:, 01 Apr 2007 - 31 Mar 2008, £6,900, (PI)
  • "3D modelling of joints from CT and MR images", Grampain NHS Trust Endowments, 01 Jan 2005 - 28 Feb 2006, £6732, (Co-I)
  • "Stress distributions in the human proximal femur and the effects of shape on the risk of fracture", Arthritis Research Campaign, 01 Jun 2003 - 31 May 2005, £57,533, (Co-I)
  • "Co-operative reinforcement of tissues by collagen", Arthritis Research Campaign, 01 Feb 2002 - 31 Mar 2003, £61,739, (Co-I)
  • "Special award for research visit", Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, 01 May 2001 - 31 Oct 2001, £5,000, (PI)
  • "Travel award for research visit", Royal Society, 01 May 2001 - 31 Oct 2001, £880, (PI)
  • "Probabilistic methods in finite element analysis of biological systems", The Wellcome Trust, 12 Jun 2000 - 05 Aug 2000, £1,160, (PI)
  • "Collagen in the annulus fibrosus of sheep and deer lumbar intervertebral discs", Arthritis Research Campaign, 01 Jun 2000 - 28 Feb 2001, £5,428, (PI)
  • "Sheep and deer intervertebral discs as models for investigating disc replacement", Grampian NHS Trust Endowments, 01 Apr 2000 - 31 Mar 2001, £880, (PI)

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Publications

Copyright Notice: Any articles made available for download are for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and the copyright holder.

| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 |

2024

2023

  • Williams D, Ward M, Kelly E, Shillabeer D, Williams J, Javadi A, Holsgrove T, Meakin J, Holt C. (2023) BORS/BJR TRAVELLING FELLOWSHIP: IMAGE-DRIVEN SUBJECT-SPECIFIC SPINE MODELS: DEVELOPING A NOVEL TOOL TO MEASURE IN VIVO LOADING, Orthopaedic Proceedings, volume 105-B, no. SUPP_16, pages 50-50, DOI:10.1302/1358-992x.2023.16.050.
  • Kelly E, Javadi A, Holsgrove T, Ward M, Williams D, Shillabeer D, Holt C, Meakin J. (2023) Comparison of two machine-learning methods to predict intervertebral disc properties, International Symposium on Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, Paris, France, 3rd - 5th May 2023.
  • Rivera Tapia D, Meakin J, Holsgrove T. (2023) A model of intervertebral disc degeneration using combined cyclic overloading and enzyme digestion, 4th International Workshop on Spine Loading and Deformation, Berlin, Germany, 5th - 7th Jul 2023.
  • Al-Qahtani A. (2023) Exploring the age-related and fracture-related changes in vertebral muscles using Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

2022

2021

  • Rivera Tapia D, Meakin J, Holsgrove T. (2021) In-vitro modelling of the human intervertebral disc degneneration, 26th Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics, Milan, Italy, 11th - 14th Jul 2021.

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

  • Meakin JR. (2004) Biomaterials, Encyclopedia of supramolecular chemistry, CRC, 110-113.
  • Meakin JR, Shepherd DET, Hukins DWL. (2004) Fused deposition models from CT scans, Br. J. Radiol, volume 77, no. 918, pages 504-507, DOI:10.1259/bjr/50012454. [PDF]

2003

2002

2001

2000

1998

  • Meakin JR, Aspden RM, Hukins DWL. (1998) Biomechanical models of the human lumbar spine, Comments on Theoretical Biology, volume 5, no. 1, pages 49-68.

1997

  • Meakin JR, Hukins DWL, Aspden RM. (1997) Euler buckling as a model for the curvature and flexion of the human lumbar spine, Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, volume 9, no. 1, pages 53-55.

1996

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