Professor Sophie Williams

Profile

I am a Professor in Medical Engineering, in the School of Mechanical Engineering.  My research vision is for surgical musculoskeletal interventions to be assessed pre-clinically in such a way we can provide the most effective and efficient treatment for all patients to reduce pain and improve mobility.  Whereby clinical decision making is informed by understanding the effects of interventions in relation to different patient’s anatomy, functional requirements and surgical process.  This research will be informed through collaborations with patients with different lived experience of MSK conditions, clinicians and those in the orthopaedic industry.  

I have previously held a Royal Academy of Engineering–DePuy Synthes Research Chair in Hip Technology (2016-2021) and been supported by an EPSRC Healthcare Technology Challenge Award (2018-2023).  As well as a co-investiagtor on numerous multi-disciplinary projects.  I have a a degree in Clinical Engineering and Materials Science (University of Liverpool), and a PhD investigating using ceramic-like coatings to reduce wear of hip replacements (University of Leeds).  In 2006, I was awarded a prestigious five year Royal Academy of Engineering fellowship developing experimental simulation of the natural hip joint.  

Additionally, I am Director of Research and Innovation in the School of Mechanical Engineering, leading and supporting the our vision  as a collegial school is to undertake world leading, impactful research that addresses challenges relating to healthy aging, net zero and a productive nation.

Responsibilities

• Director of Research and Innovation, School of Mechanical Engineering

Research interests

I use experimental methods that we develop to provide pre-clinical assessment of musculoskeletal interventions so we can improve patient outcomes. 

Examples include: 
-    Developing an experimental anatomical shoulder simulator to assess the biomechanical effects of the rotator cuff muscles in different damaged and repaired states
-    Assessing the effects of implant positions on the function of hip replacements, using experimental simulation and comparing observations with what we see in retrieved implants 
-    Using a natural hip simulation to assess the effects of altered biomechanics (for example due to a change in anatomy caused by femoroacetabular impingement, or a hemi-arthroplasty hip) on the mechanical function of the natural hip

To find out more about the Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering's research visit imbe.leeds.ac.uk

• Assessing a wearable sensor for use in pre-surgical hip replacement planning
• Developing a revolutionary hip implant for life

Qualifications

• BEng (University of Liverpool)
• PhD (University of Leeds)

Professional memberships

• CEng Institution of Mechanical Engineers
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• Orthopaedic Research Society, active member
• British Orthopaedic Research Society, trustee
• British Hip Society, Scientific member

Student education

I have led and taught on modules including; Engineering Materials, Biotribology, Biomaterials, Basic Orthoapedic Engineering, Structure and Function of the Body and co-directed a CPD course "Leeds Orthopaedic Biomechanics".  Additionally I supervise individual and team student projects.

Research groups and institutes

• Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering

Current postgraduate researchers

• Taiyibah Afzal
• Asma Sabouni
• Trent Rayment
• Callum Keighley
• Jonathan Kenning
• Christopher Le Gresley

Projects

<li><a href="//phd.leeds.ac.uk/project/2155-clinical-validation-of-a-computer-model-for-prediction-of-hip-joint-impingement-severity">Clinical validation of a computer model for prediction of hip joint impingement severity</a></li> <li><a href="//phd.leeds.ac.uk/project/2188-integrated-experimental-system-for-assessing-innovations-in-hip-replacements">Integrated experimental system for assessing innovations in hip replacements</a></li> <li><a href="//phd.leeds.ac.uk/project/2183-phantom-hip:--experimental-and-computational-models-to-assess-femoroacetabular-impingement-in-the-hip">Phantom Hip: Experimental and computational models to assess femoroacetabular impingement in the hip</a></li> <li><a href="//phd.leeds.ac.uk/project/2187-shoulder-repair:--experimental-assessment-of-surgical-rotator-cuff-repair">Shoulder repair: Experimental assessment of surgical rotator cuff repair</a></li>