Dr Peter Theobald

Biography

Dr Theobald's research focusses on the interface of engineering and medicine.  He aims 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.  His research is of both a fundamental and applied nature, meaning he works with a range of academic, clinical and industrial collaborators within the UK and overseas.  Internally, he holds memberships in both the High Value Manufacturing, and Medical Engineering, research groups.

Peter's research team are primarily focussing on reducing head injuries in sporting and collision environments.  This comprises ‘blue skies’ work, as they seek to better understand the relationship between impact and head health, whilst also working with industry to create more effective, protective solutions.  He has attracted funding from a range of sources and have experience working alongside sports organisations including the Welsh Rugby Union, English Institute of Sport, World Rugby and the National Football League.

Dr Theobald’s research also includes a wider spectrum of engineering applied to medicine, meaning he works with a range of clinical colleagues and academic collaborators within the UK and overseas.  He is active in orthopaedics - especially looking at how additive manufacturing can improve patient care.  His work investigating how the biomechancial behaviour of cardiac tissue changes with age has also recently been funded by the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council, alongside the prestigious SoftMECH centre (University of Glasgow) and Swansea University.

Peter's 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.  He moved to Cardiff School of Engineering to read his PhD in soft tissue biomechanics, focusing on the tendo Achilles insertion site.  He performed a series of biomechanical and anatomical analyses, revealing the complex interaction between adjacent tissues that ensures the interface can withstand such high loads.  He 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).

Dr Theobald is now a recognised expert in his field and frequently reviews grants and papers, and examines students, across the UK and internationally.

Professional memberships

• Chartered Engineer (IMechE)
• Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• ASTM (American Society for Testing & Materials) Member for F08: Sports equipment and facilities, including F08.53: Helmets

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

Speaking engagements

Invited International Research Seminar Series:

• The Biomechanics of Injury and Prevention; India 2018 (Global Initiative of Academic Networks)

Invited International Presentations:

• 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th International Congresses for Joint Reconstruction, Dubai, 2016 - 20.
• Using Additive Manufacturing to achieve High Performance Solutions”, ATFMME, 2017, Delhi.
• Quantifying the microstructure and properties of neonatal porcine ventricles, 2017, Glasgow
• Tackling Brain Injury in Sport, Scientific Society, 2017, Cardiff.
• Developing Novel Materials for Enhanced Head Protection, University College Dublin, 2016
• Using Real-Time Feedback to Enhance Simulated Infant Chest Compression Quality, 2015, Denmark
• Using AM to Enhance the Prediction of, and Prevention Against, Injury, University of Leuven, 2015.
• Cellular structure and their potential to prevent head injury, 2015, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Committees and reviewing

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

Publications

We are currently unable to retrieve the list of publications. Visit our institutional repository.

Teaching

Dr Theobald teaches 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 manufacturing patient-specific implants.
• EN4107 - Biomechanics & Biomedical Engineering, leading a series of group projects that focus on a specific challenge within the sector and that are typically sponsored by a clinician or industry.  Examples may include medical device design, developing novel rehabilitation strategies, or enhanced patient care.
• EN4419 - Ergonomics, investigating routes to improve comfort and functionality, evidenced by manufacturing a new product focussed on human-environment interaction, which is then tested on a participant population.

Dr Theobald has also served as Head of the Mechanical, Medical and Manufacturing (2013-17), and is currently Tutor for the Medical Engineering undergraduate degree scheme.  He is also a Senior Fellow at Advanced HE (formerly the Higher Education Academy)

Research theme: Mechanics, Materials and Advanced Manufacturing

Post-doctoral Research Associates

People	Project	Sponsor
Dr Faizan Ahmad	Growth & remodelling of cardiac tissue	EPSRC

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

Supervision

Dr Theobald's research group focuses on areas including:

• Head protection
• Injury prevention
• Light-weighting
• Energy absorption
• Additive manufacturing for medical application
• Orthopaedics

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

His research students include:

Title	Student	Status	Degree
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
Multiphysical solutions for safety helmets	STOFF, Jasmin	Current	PhD
Identifying the isometric point for ACL reconstruction	ELFEKKY, Mohamed	Current	PhD
Developing advanced protective materials via an enhanced understanding of brain injury	MCCLOSKEY, Hugh	Current	PhD
Investigating the wobble-board to improving stability in the diabetic population	ALJAWAEE, Madawi	Current	PhD
Development and implementation of a friction threshold for preventing skin injury in elite rugby	MACFARLANE, Maxwell	Current	PhD
Development of a viscoelastic material for additively manufacture an enhanced helmet liner	ADAMS, Rhoss	Writing up	PhD

Current supervision

Past projects

Development of a metamaterial for use in American football head protection	HANNA, Ben	Graduate	PhD
Developing novel materials to enhance motorcyclist safety.	ROBINSON, Michael	Graduate	PhD
Using 'Digital' Materials to Establish a Novel Investigative Platform for Cardiac Arrest	AHMAD Faizan	Graduate	PhD
Can Paediatric CPR Performance Be Improved Through The Provision Of 'Real Time' Feedback?	KANDASAMY Jeyapal	Graduate	PhD
Biomechanics Of Skull Fracture And Intracranial Injury In Young Children As Consequence Of A Low Height Fall	HUGHES Jonathon	Graduate	PhD
Finite Element Modeling of the Femur Bone With Geometry And Material Properties Retreived From CT-Scan Data	GHAIDAA ABDULRAHMAN Khalid	Graduate	PhD
Developing a Methodology to Perform Measurements of the Multi-spinal regions and Lumbar-Hip Complex Kinematics during Dominant Daily Tasks	ALQHTANI Raee	Graduate	PhD
An Investigation to Establish How The Evolution of Rugby Influences The Risk of Spinal Injury During Scrummaging	SWAMINATHAN Ramesh	Graduate	PhD
Developing a computational model to enabe simulation of blood perfusion/circulation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation	SHAABETH Samar Ali Jaber	Graduate	PhD
Engineering an improvement in chest compression quality during simulated infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation	MARTIN Philip	Graduate	PhD