Amber Wood-Bailey

Profile

I am a Research Fellow in the Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering (iMBE) within the School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds. Following an MSc in Human Anatomy from the Hull York Medical School/University of York (awarded 2019), I undertook a PhD in the department of Musculoskeletal and Ageing Science at the University of Liverpool (awarded 2025), funded by the NERC ACCE DTP. My PhD investigated the evolutionary history, morphological complexity and biomechanical implications of unique cranial traits in the leporid lagomorphs (rabbits and hares) in relation to their locomotor mode. 

Research interests

My research falls within a number of fields: functional morphology, comparative anatomy, palaeontology and computational biomechanics. Specifically, I apply phylogenetic comparative methods, geometric morphometrics, complexity analysis and computational modelling methods such as finite element analysis to investigate the relationships between form, function and the evolution of the cranium across vertebrates. 

Research interests: 

• Cranial evolution and skull biomechanics in mammals
• Cranial kinesis  
• Dental biomechanics across hominins
• Bone remodelling 
• The morphological trade-offs between movement and mastication in vertebrates with specialised locomotor form such as flight and cursoriality
• 3D modelling and reconstruction of extinct species

Qualifications

• PhD Musculoskeletal Biology, University of Liverpool (2025)
• MSc Human Anatomy and Evolution, Hull York Medical School/University of York (2019)
• BSc Archaeology, University of Reading (2016)