Olga Panagiotopoulou
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BBSRC Postdoctoral Named Researcher on comparative locomotor mechanics, and Marie-Curie Research Fellow on jaw biomechanics at the RVC; and Visiting Research Fellow on jaw biomechanics, Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, University of Chicago, USA.
Biography
After completing her MSc degree in human osteology and palaeopathology at the University of Bradford, Olga moved to Hull York Medical School to do a PhD in Anatomy funded by Marie Curie-MEST-CT-2005-200601.
Her PhD project was supervised by Dr. Samuel Cobb of the Functional Morphology and Evolution Research Unit of the Hull York Medical School (HYMS) and was also conducted in cooperation with the Centre of Medical Engineering and Technology (CMET) of the University of Hull. Using medical imaging techniques, 3D virtual reconstruction and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) Olga's PhD project tested whether symphyseal morphology reflects an adaptational balance between the spatial requirements of housing the developing anterior dentition and the biomechanical functional maintenance during ontogeny. The validity of the FE models was tested by carrying out experimental strain measurements in the laboratory using laser speckle interferometry and strain gauges analyses.
Being highly qualified in the application of FEA and experimental techniques for the comprehension of the form-function relationship of anatomical structures Olga joined the Structure and Motion Lab in RVC straight after her PhD to further expand her research expertise in skull/feeding biomechanics with a new repertoire in limb/locomotion biomechanics.
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT-MEDIA
Discovery Channel of Canada, Daily Planet
http://watch.discoverychannel.ca/clip474179#clip474179
BBC Rhino foot mechanics
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16286655
itv Rhino foot mechanics
http://www.itv.com/anglia/rhino-research48459
daily mail Rhino foot mechanics
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2086135/Rhinos-feet-studied-help-relieve-pain-zoo-animals.html
Research
JAW BIOMECHANICS PROJECT
Olga is awarded an EU Marie Curie FP7 Reintegration Fellowship (MACACA) to look at the determinants of mandibular form during intra-oral food processing.
MACACA uses an interdisciplinary approach to apply previously selected in vivo electromyographics (EMG), jaw optico-kinematics, strain gauges and bite force data to a series of finite element and computer simulation models. The aim is to simulate a complete chewing cycle (incisal, premolar, molar unilateral biting) when processing food particles that vary in their material properties.
The results of this study will give new insights into
- the nature of stresses and deformations experienced by the primate mandible during a chewing cycle.
- the impact on the mandible of different activation patterns of the muscles of mastication, with regards to different bite locations.
- the effect of different gapes and chewing rates and frequencies on the mechanics of the macaque mandible.
- the safety factors and failure criteria of the macaque mandible. The latter will shed light into the reasons many non-human primates in captivity develop pathologies in their jaws in relation to chewing stresses and to an inappropriate diet.
FOOT BIOMECHANICS PROJECT
Olga's postdoctoral research is funded by BBSRC and aims to look at unravelling the complex interaction between foot form, substrate properties/habitat, size, locomotor behaviour and biomechanics across a diversity of large quadrupedal mammals.
The most common cause of morbidity and mortality of large animals in captivity and domesticity is foot disease. Foot pathologies encountered clinically are similar across species, including humans, and encompass degenerative (e.g. osteoarthritis, tendonitis, laminitis), infectious (e.g. foot abscesses) and traumatic (e.g. fractures) disorders. Foot disease is often progressive and treatment unrewarding in many cases, thus resulting in a poor prognosis for many individuals. Prevention is therefore key in ensuring the welfare of those animals, and knowledge about the main factors contributing to the aetiopathogenesis of foot disease an essential prerequisite.
The causes of these pathologies are multifactorial. But the biomechanical foot-ground interaction is a major factor, particularly the frequencies and amplitudes of loading at and after foot impact, which can exacerbate pathology even if not the primary cause. This project therefore seeks: (i) to characterise how limb-ground impacts scale with animal size and how they are compensated for by anatomical and behavioural strategies; (ii) to determine how the regional loads on foot structures (bones, joints, pads, ligaments and tendons) relate to the occurrence of pathologies; and (iii) to elucidate the causal relationships between foot form, function and pathology.
Ongoing projects
- Study of the form-function relationship of the spermaceti organ and the cervical vertebrae in sperm whales using finite element analysis. In collaboration with Prof. Carrier (University of Utah).
- Application of Finite Element Modelling in Forensic Anthropology. In collaboration with Dr. Kranioti (University of Edinburgh) and Prof. Harvati (University of Tubingen).
- Application of Finite Element Modelling, 3D visualizations and computer simulation techniques in Forensic identification and trauma. In collaboration with Dr. Zioupos (Cranfield Forensic Institute).
- In vivo experimental electromyographic, jaw optico-kinematics, strain gauge and bite force transduction analyses of the macaque mandible during incision, premolar and molar biting. In collaboration with Dr. Ross (University of Chicago).
- Testing the ontogenetic dynamic strain similarity in the catarrhine mandible using Finite Element Analysis. In collaboration with Dr. Cobb (HYMS).
- Study of the form-function relationship of tarsal human bones. In collaboration with Dr. McCarthy and Mr, Goldberg (Institute of Orthopaedic and Musculoskeletal Sciece, University College London Medical School.
- Estimation of material properties of the mammalian feet. In collaboration with Dr. Weller and Prof. Hutchinson (The Royal Veterinary College).
- Estimation of material properties of the adult Macaca mulatta mandible.In collaboration with Dr. Dechow (Baylor College of Dentistry).
Research interests
Feeding Mechanics
Locomotor mechanics
Current Research Grants and Fellowships
EU Marie Curie FP6 Reintegration Fellowship(PI).2010. MACACA project.Determinants of mandibular form during intra oral food processing.
BBSRC research grant (Named postdoc).2009. Comparative biomechanics and pathology of mammalian feet.
Current Awards
Society of Biology Certificate and Home Office Licence for surgery on carnivores, large mammals and rodents. 2011.
Nomination for Honorary adjunct faculty position at the Baylor School of Dentistry, Dallas
Mildred Trotter Prize for the best paper on skeletal biology and adaptation at the 78th Annual International Meeting of the American Association of Physical Anthropology, Chicago.
Selected Publications
Peer reviewed:
Panagiotopoulou O., Pataky T.C., Hill Z., Hutchinson J.R. (accepted). Statistical parametric mapping of the regional distribution and ontogenetic scaling of foot pressures during walking in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). Journal of Experimental Biology.
Panagiotopoulou O., Wilshin S.D., Rayfield E.J., Shefelbine S.J., Hutchinson J.R. (2012). What makes an accurate and reliable subject-specific finite element model? A case study of an elephant femur. Journal of the Royal Society Interface 9 351-361.
Panagiotopoulou O. & Cobb S.N. (2011).The mechanical significance of morphological variation in the macaque mandibular symphysis during mastication. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 146 253-261.
Cobb S.N. & Panagiotopoulou O. (2011). Balancing the spatial demands of the developing dentition with the mechanical demands of the catarrhine mandibular symphysis. Journal of Anatomy 218 (1) 96-111.
Panagiotopoulou O., Kupczik K., Cobb, S.N. (2011). The mechanical function of the periodontal ligament in the macaque mandible: a validation and sensitivity study using finite element analysis. Journal of Anatomy 218 (1) 75-86.
Panagiotopoulou O., Curtis N.,O' Higgins P., Cobb, S.N. (2010). Modelling subcortical bone in finite element analyses: a validation and sensitivity study in the macaque mandible. Journal of Biomechanics 43 (8) 1063-1611.
Panagiotopoulou O. 2009. Finite Element Analysis (FEA). Applying an engineering method to functional morphology in anthropology and in human biology. Annals of Human Biology, 36(5): 609-623.
Conference Proceedings:
Panagiotopoulou O., Pataky T.C., Hutchinson J.R. (2011). Regional plantar pressure distribution during walking in hoofed mammals. Society of experimental biology Abstract Book 121 (A 8.6).
Warner S.E., Pickering P., Panagiotopoulou O.,Phau T., Ren L., Hutchinson J.R. (in press). Size-related biomechanical constraints on foot impacts in ungulate mammals. The Society of Integrated Biology.
Panagiotopoulou O., Pataky T.C., Hutchinson J.R.(2011). Regional plantar pressure distribution during walking in hoofed mammals. Society of experimental biology Abstract Book 121 (A8.6).
Warner S.E., Pickering P., Panagiotopoulou O., Phau T., Ren L., Hutchinson J.R.(in press). Frequency content of impact force signals in ungulates. Society of experimental biology Abstract Book 121 (A 8.7).
Warner S.E., Panagiotopoulou O., Pickering P. Phau T., Ren L., Hutchinson J.R.(2010).Scaling of foot impact mechanics in ungulate mammals. Society of experimental biology Abstract Book 123 (A 8.66).
Panagiotopoulou O., Njuguna P., Rayfield E., Tsaopoulos D., Shefelbine S., Hutchinson J.R. (in press). Subject-specific finite element analysis of regional bone stresses in the femur of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) during locomotion. Journal of Morphology.
Panagiotopoulou O., Kupczik K., Cobb S.N. (in press). The mechanical significance of the periodontal ligament in the macaque mandible: a validation and sensitivity study using ex vivo experimental analyses and finite element modelling.Journal of Morphology.
Panagiotopoulou O., Cobb S.N. 2010.The effect of the spatial demands of the developing dentition on the mechanical performance of the mandibular symphysis in juveniles. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 141 (S50).
Panagiotopoulou O., Cobb S.N. 2009. Anterior mandibular morphology, masticatory biomechanics and dietary reconstructions of fossil hominoids. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 29 (3): 161A.
Panagiotopoulou O., Cobb S.N. 2009. Testing the adaptive significance of the catarrhine symphysis using Finite Element Analysis. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 138 (S48):205 (Mildred Trotter Prize).
Panagiotopoulou O., Cobb S.N. 2008. Biomechanical adaptation in the mandibular symphysis of European Miocene hominoids. Workshop of European Fossil Primates, Simposio della Societa Paleontologica Italiana, Grosseto, Italy.
Panagiotopoulou O., Cobb S.N. 2008. Modelling trabecular and cortical bone in the macaque mandible: Do internal geometry and material properties matter? UK Workshop on Modern Functional Anatomy, Natural History Museum, London.
Panagiotopoulou O., Cobb S.N. 2008. Determinants of symphyseal form of the mandible: Biomechanical and spatial models during ontogeny. Society for the Study of Human Biology, Oxford.
Book Entries:
Panagiotopoulou O., 2008. Bone: a structure - function approach. In: van Asperen, Becker, Demarchi, Groning, Panagiotopoulou (Eds) Interdisciplinary approaches to reconstructing the past, University of York, pp 93-114.
Outreach Activities
Membership in Professional Associations
American Association of Physical Anthropologists
Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland
Balkanian Speleological Union
Hellenic Speleological Society
International Association of Paleodontology
International Primatological Society
International Society of Biomechanics
International Union of Speleology
Society for the study of Human Biolohy
Society of Experimental Biology
Speleological Federation of the European Union