Structure and Motion Laboratory

People

Dr Kevin Parsons

I graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree from the University of Bristol in 2000. I then worked in small animal and mixed veterinary practice before undertaking an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at The Royal Veterinary College.

Subsequently, I undertook a PhD in the Structure and Motion Laboratory, supervised by Professor Alan Wilson, where I studied the mechanics of high speed terrestrial locomotion in cursorial animals. The primary focus of the PhD was on the development of novel methods of assessing locomotion and the utilisation of these methods in increasing our understanding of how animals locomote efficiently on different surfaces and terrains.

I completed the PhD in 2007 and then attained the position of Senior Clinical Training Scholar in small animal surgery.

My scientific interests include innovative measurement techniques for studying animals during field locomotion and the application of these methods within a clinical environment. I also enjoy comparative aspects of locomotor biomechanics and have worked with a range of animals including dogs, horses, cows and camels.

e-mail: kparsons at rvc.ac.uk

Publications

Parsons, K.J., Pfau, T.P., Wilson, A.M. High-speed gallop locomotion in the Thoroughbred racehorse. I. The effect of incline on stride parameters. J Exp Biol (2008), 211 935-944.

Parsons, K.J., Pfau, T.P., Ferrari, M., Wilson, A.M. High-speed gallop locomotion in the Thoroughbred racehorse. II. The effect of incline on centre of mass movement and mechanical energy fluctuation. J Exp Biol (2008), 211 945-956

Pfau, T.P., Ferrari, M., Parsons, K.J., Wilson, A.M. Hidden Markov model-based stride segmentation applied to equine inertial sensor trunk movement data during high speed exercise. Journal of Biomechanics (2008) 41(1) pp 216-20.

Parsons, K.J. and Wilson, A.M. The use of MP3 recorders to log data from equine hoof mounted accelerometers. Equine Veterinary Journal (2006), Vol. 38, Number 7, pp. 675-680.

Parsons, K.J., Beck, A.L. What is your diagnosis? Journal of Small Animal Practice (2006), Vol. 47 (6), pp, 349.

Professional Presentations/Research Abstracts

Spence, A*., Parsons, K.J., Pfau, T.P., Ferrari, M., Wilson, A.M. (2007) Effect of substrate properties on equine locomotion. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology 146A, Number 4. Suppl. A6.8. Society for Experimental Biology annual main meeting, Glasgow, Scotland.

Kevin Parsons*, Thilo Pfau and Alan M. Wilson (2006) Stance time and duty factor during pacing in the Dromedary camel (Camelus dromedaries). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology 143A, Number 4.Suppl. A7.5. Society for Experimental Biology annual main meeting, Canterbury.

Parsons, K.J.*, Owen, L.J., and Gregory, S.P. (2006) A retrospective study of septic peritonitis in cats surgically treated at the Royal Veterinary College, London: 19 cases (2000-2005). BSAVA scientific proceedings (2006).

Owen, L.J.*, Parsons, K.J., and Gregory, S.P. (2006) A retrospective study of the aetiology and survival rate of dogs with septic peritonitis, treated at the Royal Veterinary College, London over a five year period (2000-2005): 44 cases. BSAVA scientific proceedings (2006).

Thilo Pfau*, Kevin Parsons, Alan Wilson (2006) Mechanics of over-ground locomotion in the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius). World Congress for Biomechanics, Munich, Germany.

Lei Ren*, Thilo Pfau, Kevin Parsons, Alan Wilson, John R. Hutchinson (2006) Prediction of Ground Reaction Forces During Quadrupedal Animal Locomotion Using Accelerometers and Gyroscopes. World Congress for Biomechanics, Munich, Germany.

Parsons, K.J.*, McGoldrick, N.M., Wilson, A.M. (2005) Effect of surface on mechanics of horse locomotion. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology 141A, Number 3/Suppl. A7.55. Society for Experimental Biology annual main meeting, Barcelona, Spain.

N.B. (* indicates podium presenter)

Structure and Motion Lab These pages maintained by the SML Contact: Alan Wilson