Dr Ali Alazmani

Profile

Dr Alazmani is an Associate Professor of Soft Robotics at the University of Leeds, where he also serves as co-Director of the Healthcare Mechatronics Laboratory and Soft Robotics Theme Leader for the university’s robotics research activities. He received his MSc and PhD in Healthcare Mechatronics before undertaking postdoctoral research at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University and Boston Children’s Hospital.

His work bridges engineering and healthcare, with a focus on developing novel robotic systems that utilise the non-linear properties of elastomeric materials. His background in biologically inspired engineering has shaped his vision for creating “smart” soft devices that can transform the way we approach rehabilitation, surgery, and implantable healthcare technologies.

Responsibilities

• Deputy Head of School
• Co-Director of the Healthcare Mechatronics Laboratory
• Soft Robotics Theme Leader

Research interests

Dr Alazmani’s research focuses on the intersection of soft robotics, healthcare technologies, and smart materials. His core interests include:

• Soft sensing and actuation using elastomeric materials
• Morphable soft-bodied robotics for medical applications
• Smart fabrication and design methodologies
• Implantable and wearable medical devices
• Surgical and rehabilitation tools inspired by biological systems
• His work leverages the non-linear properties of soft materials to create robotic systems capable of complex behaviours with minimal control inputs, reducing the need for auxiliary sensors and actuators.

Current Research and Projects

Dr Alazmani leads a portfolio of research projects aimed at developing soft robotic systems for clinical translation, with current efforts focused on:

• Bioactuator development for in vitro cardiac disease models, in collaboration with partners at Queen’s University Belfast and the NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre
• Soft cell stretching platforms for mechanobiology research, with applications in cardiovascular disease
• Multi-material additive manufacturing of soft sensors and actuators
• Collaborative initiatives linking healthcare mechatronics and robotic surgery

His research is supported by UKRI, NIHR, and other national and international funding bodies.

• CoDIR – Colonic disease investigation by robotic hydro-colonoscopy
• Maternal Health - Vacuum assisted delivery simulation
• Soft robotic cardiac assistance
• Soft robotic fabrication

Student education

As module leader for Mechatronics and Measurement Systems (MECH2650), Dr Alazmani teaches core concepts in sensors, control systems, and electromechanical integration to undergraduate and postgraduate students. He actively supervises final-year and postgraduate research projects, often aligned with his soft robotics and biomedical engineering research. He strongly advocates for hands-on, research-led teaching and frequently integrates cutting-edge lab activities and demonstrations into his teaching practice.

Research groups and institutes

• Institute of Design, Robotics and Manufacturing

Current postgraduate researchers

• Hongxin Liao