MRes - Simulating the locomotion of an extinct archosaurian reptile

Supervisors: Professors John R. Hutchinson and Friedl De Groote

Department: Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College; and KU Leuven, Belgium

Project Details

How did extinct dinosaurs (and their close relatives) move? Archosaurs (crocodiles, birds and Mesozoic dinosaurs, etc.) began diversifying in the Triassic period <250 million years ago, then experienced a mass extinction ~200 million years ago, with only a few lineages including dinosaurs surviving. Why any lineages survived or went extinct remains unclear. One potential component of this pattern is how well any species could locomote (walk, run, jump, etc.). Predictive biomechanical computer simulations can have some success in estimating such locomotor performance. We seek a student(s) to use these tools to test how one such species moved (or didn’t  move); either a biped or quadruped, dinosaur or other archosaur. We would discuss with the student what they would be most interested to test, involving them in the scientific process.  

Up to 2 MRes projects can be accommodated. Initial 3D model data and code are available, so the student can proceed immediately. Students would learn (further) expertise in biomechanics, anatomy, palaeontology, computer programming and 3D graphics. 

References

  1. Bishop, P.J., Falisse, A., De Groote, F., Hutchinson, J.R. 2021. Predictive simulations of running gait reveal a critical dynamic role for the tail in bipedal dinosaur locomotion. Science Advances 7:abi7348. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abi7348 

  2. Cuff, A.R., Demuth, O.E., Michel, K.B., Otero, A., Pintore, R., Polet, D.T., Wiseman, A.L.A., Hutchinson, J.R. 2022. Walking -- and running and jumping -- with dinosaurs and their cousins, viewed through the lens of evolutionary biomechanics. Integrative and Comparative Biology icac049, https://doi.org/10.1093/icb/icac049 

  3. De Groote, F., & Falisse, A. (2021). Perspective on musculoskeletal modelling and predictive simulations of human movement to assess the neuromechanics of gait. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 288(1946), 20202432. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2020.2432  

Requirements

Essential:

  • Must meet our standard MRes entry requirements.
  • Do not need to be a vet. Undergraduate degree in biological sciences-related subject; or engineering, computer sciences, and similar fields. 

Desirable:

  • Some prior expertise in one or more of: biomechanics, anatomy/palaeontology, engineering, 3D graphics, or (especially) programming is highly desirable. 

This can be taken full-time or part-time (12months FTE), project commencing in October 2024, based at RVC's Hawkshead campus. 

Funding

Partially funded: The lab will be covering the project costs, with the MRes student expected to meet the course fees and their living expenses. 

International applicants are welcome to apply but must be able to fund the difference between "Home" and "Overseas" tuition fees. Please note that EU/EEA and Swiss national students may no longer be eligible for the “Home” rate of tuition fees, dependent on personal circumstances (including immigration status and residence history in the UK) and UK government rules which are currently being developed. For up-to-date information on fees for EU/EEA and Swiss national students following Brexit please see our fees and funding page. 

How to Apply

For more information on the application process and English Language requirements see How to Apply.

Deadline: 1pm UK time, Friday 5th April

We welcome informal enquiries - these should be directed to Prof John Hutchinson (jhutchinson@rvc.ac.uk)

Interview date and location: TBC

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