Professor Dominic Thewlis
Professor
Adelaide Medical School
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Welcome to my home page at the University of Adelaide. I have the pleasure of leading a group of researchers (Centre for Orthopaedic & Trauma Research) focused on problems related to the human musculoskeletal system, which often require orthopaedic surgery. The Centre’s research spans molecular biology to biomechanics to clinical research.
I’m specifically focused on biomechanics (the application of mechanics to understand biological phenomena) of the musculoskeletal system, although my interests extend laterally in one direction to computational and numerical methods, including machine and deep learning, then in the opposing direction to orthopaedic clinical decision making. My group within the Centre for Orthopaedic & Trauma Research has facilities in the state-of-the-art Adelaide Health and Medical Sciences building and in the out-patient department of the Royal Adelaide Hospital. These complimentary facilities allow my research programs to span from fundamental biomechanics to research bridging into clinical services.
I am fortunate to have received significant support from the major funding bodies in Australia. I previously held a NHMRC R.D Wright Fellow (2017-2021). I am currently an ARC Future Fellow (2024-2028). I have a strong working relationship with partners in industry and Defence through which I fund elements of my ongoing work. I am a Past President of the Australian and New Zealand Orthopaedic Research Society (ANZORS) and feature on the Editorial boards of some of the most influential journals in my field.
- My Research
- Career
- Publications
- Grants and Funding
- Teaching
- Supervision
- Professional Activities
- Contact
Research experience and track record
My primary research focus is the biomechanics of orthopaedic disease and injury. I use an exciting combination of biomechanical modelling methods, medial imaging, wearable sensors and patient reported outcome measures to explore these conditions.
I have the following projects available for new students in 2023-2024.
| Title | Description | Level | Start | Special Reqs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Development of statistical shape and appearance models of human joints |
Using state of the art MRI sequences, we aim to characterise tissue composition and shape (validated against histology) to develop a toolkit for modelling human joints. Note: this project has a dedicated scholarship available to international students |
PhD and Honours | Semester 1 and 2 | None |
| Mapping surface to structure to high-definition maps of muscle activation patterns | We aim to explore methods by which we can register surface morphology with muscle boundaries to improve the spatial accuracy of high-definition EMG. The project will explore clinical and potentially animal models to verify the utility of the approach. | PhD | Semester 1 and 2 | None |
| Time to recovery in pelvic fracture | The project will use wearable sensors in an out-patient gait analysis facility to understand the point at which recovery plateaus. This project sits at the intersection of biomechanics and clinical orthopaedics with medicolegal implications. | PhD | Semester 1 and 2 | None |
| Pose models for gait analysis | Deep learning tools offer to dramatically change how we perform gait analysis; but should we focus on traditional metric such as joint angles or extend gait analysis into the abstractness of the embeddings of neural networks? This project will explore camera technology, pose models and analytical tools to change how we do gait analysis. | PhD | Semester 1 and 2 | None |
| Does insurance status affect patient reported and gait outcomes for total hip replacement patients in Australia? | Patients undergoing total hip replacement in Australia either attend a private hospital under their choice of surgeon or attend a public hospital where the surgeon is assigned. The distinct difference between the two systems lies in the time patients wait for surgery. This project will explore if biomechanical outcomes differ by insurance status. | PhD | Semester 1 and 2 | None |
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Appointments
Date Position Institution name 2025 - ongoing Professor University of Adelaide 2017 - 2024 Associate Professor University of Adelaide 2013 - 2017 Senior Lecturer in Biomechanics University of South Australia 2012 - 2016 Affiliate Lecturer University of Adelaide, Adelaide 2009 - 2012 Lecturer (Level B) in Biomechanics University of South Australia 2008 - 2011 Honorary Fellow Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh Hospital Trust -
Awards and Achievements
Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount 2017 Fellowship R.D Wright Career Development Fellowship - - - 2015 Award Benno Nigg Award for Applied Research International Society of Biomechanics (footwear group) - - 2014 Award Excellence in reviewing for the Journal of Biomechanics - - - 2013 Award Young Tall Poppy Australian Institute of Policy and Science Australia - 2012 Award Best Poster Prize - - - 2011 Award Early Career Researcher International Travel Award University of South Australia - - 2011 Award Supported Teacher Award for excellence in undergraduate teaching University of South Australia - - 2009 Award Supported Researcher Award University of South Australia - - -
Education
Date Institution name Country Title 2009 University of Central Lancashire UK PhD 2003 University of Central Lancashire, Preston United Kingdom BSc (Hons) -
Research Interests
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Journals
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Conference Papers
Year Citation 2021 Bennett, K., Rapagna, S., Wearne, L., Martelli, S., Atkins, G., Solomon, B., . . . Thewlis, D. (2021). Preliminary Micro-CT Imaging of the Human Tibial Plateau Under Load. In XXVIII Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics (ISB). Stockholm, Sweden. 2021 Grigsby, E., Rickam, M., Thewlis, D., Simon, L., Chavez, R., Huston, M., . . . Collins, S. (2021). XT-150-A NOVEL IMMUNOMODULATORY GENE THERAPY FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS PAIN IN PHASE 2B DEVELOPMENT. In OSTEOARTHRITIS AND CARTILAGE Vol. 29 (pp. S12). ELSEVIER SCI LTD. 2019 Grace, T. M., O'Rourke, D., Atkins, G., Taylor, M., Solomon, B., & Thewlis, D. (2019). The Development and Reliability of a Semi-Automated Method to Split the Acetabulum into Clinically Relevant Regions of Interest. In ANZORS 25th Annual Scientific Meeting. Canberra. 2019 Grace, T., Atkins, G., Taylor, M., Solomon, B., & Thewlis, D. (2019). The Feasibility of a Workflow for Investigating Peri-Prosthetic Osteolysis. In AOA SA/NT Branch Scientific Meeting. Adelaide. 2017 Greaves, D., Immink, M. A., Thewlis, D., & Wright, D. L. (2017). Stimulus-response compatibility during sequence learning under high and lowcontextual interference. In JOURNAL OF SPORT & EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGY Vol. 39 (pp. S134). HUMAN KINETICS PUBL INC. 2016 Fuller, J., Buckley, J., Thewlis, D., Tsiros, M., Brown, N., & Hamill, J. (2016). Increasing Body Mass Increases The Incidence Of Injury In Runners Using Minimalist Shoes. In MEDICINE & SCIENCE IN SPORTS & EXERCISE Vol. 48 (pp. 168). MA, Boston: LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS.
DOI2012 Al-Dirini, R., Reed, M., Paul, G., & Thewlis, D. (2012). A subject-specific model of human. In Advances in Applied Mechanics Research, Conference Proceedings - 7th Australasian Congress on Applied Mechanics, ACAM 2012 (pp. 191-200). Adelaide, South Australia. 2012 Al-Dirini, R., Thewlis, D., & Paul, G. (2012). A comprehensive literature review of the pelvis and the lower extremity FE human models under quasi-static conditions. In Proceedings for the 18th Triennial International Ergonomics Association’s (IEA) Congress, as published in Work Vol. 41 (pp. 4218-4229). Recife, Brazil: IOS Press.
DOI Scopus15 WoS9 Europe PMC92007 Dey, P., Thewlis, D., McCullough, K., Goodacre, L., & Richards, J. (2007). Quality of movement in obesity. In INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBESITY Vol. 31 (pp. S211). Budapest, HUNGARY: NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP. -
Conference Items
Year Citation 2023 Thewlis, D., Collins, S., Huston, M., MIllar, S., & Rickman, M. (2023). FUNCTIONAL IMPROVEMENTS IN KNEE KINEMATICS DURING WALKING GAIT OVER SIX MONTHS FOLLOWING TREATMENT WITH XT-150: POOLED RESULTS FROM TWO CLINICAL TRIALS. Poster session presented at the meeting of OSTEOARTHRITIS AND CARTILAGE. CO, Denver: ELSEVIER SCI LTD.
WoS12022 Millar, S., O'Rielly, J., McConnochie, G., Blencowe, M., Turner, L., Wiederman, S., . . . Thewlis, D. (2022). Moving from the lab to the field: accuracy and reliability of wearable sensors in the estimation of lower limb joint kinematics. Poster session presented at the meeting of Defence Human Sciences Symposium. 2022 O'Rielly, J., Millar, S., Blencowe, M., Turner, L., Wiederman, S., Palmer, E., . . . Ma-Wyatt, A. (2022). Visual perceptual performance during locomotion: implications for information display technologies. Poster session presented at the meeting of Defence Human Sciences Symposium. 2021 Millar, S., Bennett, K., Rickman, M., & Thewlis, D. (2021). Locomotor changes in knee osteoarthritis patients during a 6-minute walk test. Poster session presented at the meeting of XXVII Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics. 2021 Bennett, K., Pizzolato, C., Martelli, S., Bahl, J., Sivakumar, A., Atkins, G., . . . Thewlis, D. (2021). Estimations of Knee Joint Loading Using Generalized Methods and Muscle Recruitment Strategies. Poster session presented at the meeting of XXVIII Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics (ISB). 2020 Ladurner, A., Callary, S., Rickman, M., Thewlis, D., & Solomon, L. B. (2020). The potential role of radiostereometric analysis to assess the stability of pelvic ring disruptions (<i>8183</i>). Poster session presented at the meeting of SWISS MEDICAL WEEKLY. E M H SWISS MEDICAL PUBLISHERS LTD. 2020 Millar, S., Bennett, K., Fraysse, F., Arnold, J., Solomon, L., & Thewlis, D. (2020). Longitudinal changes in lower limb joint loading up to two years following tibial plateau fracture. Poster session presented at the meeting of Orthopaedic Research Society 2020 Annual Meeting. 2019 Millar, S., Arnold, J., Fraysse, F., Solomon, L., & Thewlis, D. (2019). Do common classification systems for tibial plateau fractures describe what we really see?. Poster session presented at the meeting of International Combined Orthopaedic Research Societies Meeting. 2019 Bennett, K. J., Millar, S., Fraysse, F., Arnold, J., Solomon, L. B., Martelli, S., & Thewlis, D. (2019). Longitudinal Postoperative Joint Kinematics of Tibial Plateau Fracture Patients. Poster session presented at the meeting of Abstracts of the XXVII Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics (ISB 2019). Calgary, Canada: University of Calgary. 2019 Bennett, K. J., Millar, S., Fraysse, F., Arnold, J., Atkins, G., Solomon, L., . . . Thewlis, D. (2019). Longitudinal Postoperative Joint Kinematics of Tibial Plateau Fracture Patients. Poster session presented at the meeting of ANZORS 25th Annual Scientific Meeting. Canberra, ACT, Australia. 2018 Millar, S., Arnold, J., Fraysse, F., Solomon, L., & Thewlis, D. (2018). Do current classification systems for tibial plateau fracture describe what we really see?. Poster session presented at the meeting of Australian & New Zealand Orthopaedic Research Society 24th Annual Scientific Meeting. 2018 Millar, S., Arnold, J., Solomon, L., Thewlis, D., & Fraysse, F. (2018). Development and evaluation of a coordinate system for complex tibial plateau fractures using a geometric shape fitting approach. Poster session presented at the meeting of Australian & New Zealand Orthopaedic Research Society 24th Annual Scientific Meeting. 2017 Millar, S., Arnold, J., Solomon, L., Thewlis, D., & Fraysse, F. (2017). Understanding three-dimensional fracture patterns of the tibia and femur in orthopaedic trauma: estimating longitudinal and condylar axes on CT reconstructions of partial lengths and widths of bone. Poster session presented at the meeting of Australian & New Zealand Orthopaedic Research Society 23rd Annual Scientific Meeting. 2017 Beaucage-Gauvreau, E., Thewlis, D., Graham, R., Robertson, W. S. P., Fraser, R. D., Freeman, B. J., & Jones, C. F. (2017). Validation of Full Body OpenSim Model With Detailed Lumbar Spine to Evaluate Biomechanics of Lifting Tasks. Poster session presented at the meeting of XXVI Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics. Brisbane, Australia. 2017 Beaucage-Gauvreau, E., Thewlis, D., Robertson, W. S. P., Fraser, R. D., Freeman, B. J. C., & Jones, C. F. (2017). Biomechanical Investigation of a Braced Arm-To-Thigh Lifting Technique for Occupational Tasks, With Kinematic Analysis and Computer Modeling Approaches. Poster session presented at the meeting of XXVI Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics. Brisbane, Australia. 2017 beaucage-gauvreau., thewlis., robertson, W. S. P., fraser, R. D., freeman., & jones, C. F. (2017). Biomechanical investigation of a braced arm-to-thigh lifting technique for occupational tasks, with kinematic analysis and computer modeling approaches. Poster session presented at the meeting of ANZORS-RSA Joint Conference. Adelaide. 2017 Beaucage-Gauvreau, E., Thewlis, D., Graham, R., Robertson, W. S. P., Fraser, R., Freeman, B. J. C., & Jones, C. F. (2017). Validation of full body OpenSim model with detailed lumbar spine to evaluate biomechanics of lifting tasks. Poster session presented at the meeting of ANZORS-RSA Joint Conference. Adelaide. -
Software
Year Citation 2019 Beaucage-Gauvreau, É., Jones, C., Thewlis, D., Robertson, W., Freeman, B., Fraser, R., . . . Brandon, S. (2019). Lifting Full-Body (LFB) Model [Online]. https://simtk.org/projects/lfbmodel: SimTK. -
Preprint
Year Citation 2020 Tan, T., Mahbub, S., Campugan, C., Campbell, J., Habibalahi, A., Chow, D., . . . Dunning, K. (2020). Non-invasive, label-free optical analysis to detect aneuploidy within the inner cell mass of the preimplantation embryo.
DOI
Competitive research funding
I have held research funding from federal agencies (ARC, NHMRC, Department of Defence), NGOs and private industry in Australia and the UK. In total, my research has received approximately (accounting for exchange rate) $10.3M in external funding.
Current external funding
| Project | Investigators | Funding agency | AU$000 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Next-generation computational models to understand human joints | Thewlis | ARC (Future Fellowship) | 1190 | |
| Investigation of the (a) Impact of placement of visual information in the visual field on a users ability to navigate in the environment and deploy attention; and (b) Impact of Latency on human perception and physical movement | Ma-Waytt, Wiedemann Cook, Thewlis, Palmer |
DST | 1150 | |
I currently have limited teaching due to my Future Fellowship commitments.
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Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2025 Co-Supervisor Towards better prothesis sockets for transtibial amputees Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Natasha Kay Polglase 2025 Co-Supervisor Research into mobile application interaction design for aging adults based on mental model. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Tianxin Li 2025 Principal Supervisor Using a Co-Design Approach for Patients who have Undergone a Total-Joint Arthroplasty to Improve Physical Activity Levels Master of Philosophy (Medical Science) Master Full Time Miss Zali Sabrina Simes 2025 Principal Supervisor Pelvic fractures - orthopaedics Master of Philosophy (Surgery) Master Part Time Dr Carlos Eduardo Azuma Lijo 2024 Principal Supervisor Development of statistical shape and appearance models of human joints Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Samuel Joshua Staude 2024 Co-Supervisor Evaluating musculoskeletal effects in diabetes-related foot disease Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Kay Yee Hon 2023 Principal Supervisor Wearable sensors for analysis of walking function in orthopaedic outpatients. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Heather Rose Badger 2023 Principal Supervisor Gait Analysis and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Paediatric Lower Limb Conditions Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Matilda Catherine Krywanio 2022 Co-Supervisor The role of acetabular cup medialisation in revision hip arthroplasty. Master of Philosophy (Surgery) Master Part Time Dr David Ngo 2021 Co-Supervisor How do we use visual information while walking? Implications for the use of virtual
and augmented reality devices for training and deployment.Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Marlon Blencowe 2021 Principal Supervisor Biomechanical Predictors of Fatigue in Runners using Inertial Measurement Units Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Grace Eva McConnochie 2020 Principal Supervisor Development and validation of an integrated gait recognition system with a deep-learning architecture. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Kayne Andrew Duncanson -
Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2019 - 2022 Principal Supervisor In Silico, Ex Vivo, and In Vivo approaches for Modelling Tibial Plateau Fractures Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Dr Kieran James Bennett 2019 - 2025 Principal Supervisor Functional outcomes of suprapatellar versus infrapatellar approaches for intramedullary nailing of tibial shaft fractures Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Simon Thwaites 2018 - 2023 Principal Supervisor Gait Biomechanics after Femoral Nailing of Intertrochanteric Fractures Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Arjun Sivakumar 2018 - 2020 Principal Supervisor Postural alignment and recovery of mobility after acquired brain injury Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Simon James Mills 2017 - 2022 Principal Supervisor Investigating the biomechanics and genetics of acetabular peri-prosthetic osteolysis Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Thomas Michael Grace 2015 - 2019 Co-Supervisor Brace for it: assessing lumbar spinal loads for a braced arm-to-thigh lifting and bending technique using a musculoskeletal modelling approach Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Erica Beaucage-Gauvreau -
Other Supervision Activities
Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name 2015 - 2020 Principal Supervisor Hip replacement biomechnaics University of South Australia - Doctorate Full Time Jasvir Bahl 2014 - 2018 Principal Supervisor Vibration biomechanics with defence University of South Australia - Doctorate Full Time Thomas Debenedictis 2014 - ongoing Co-Supervisor Biophysical model of cycling University of South Australia - Doctorate Part Time Jason Bartram 2014 - 2020 Principal Supervisor Fracture biomechanics University of South Australia - Doctorate Full Time Stuart Millar 2013 - 2017 External Supervisor Bone biomechanics Flinders University - Doctorate Full Time Bryant Roberts 2012 - 2016 Principal Supervisor Running biomechanics University of South Australia - Doctorate Full Time Joel Fuller 2012 - 2017 Principal Supervisor Plantar Heel pain biomechanics University of South Australia - Doctorate Full Time Chris Bishop 2011 - 2016 Co-Supervisor Flat foot management University of South Australia - Doctorate Part Time Helen Banwell 2011 - 2014 Principal Supervisor Knee replacement biomechanics University of South Australia - Doctorate Full Time John Arnold 2010 - 2015 Principal Supervisor Finite Element model of the pelvis University of South Australia - Doctorate Full Time Rami Mohamad Ameer Al-Dirini
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Committee Memberships
Date Role Committee Institution Country 2015 - 2018 President Australian & New Zealand Orthopaedic Research Society - - 2014 - 2016 Member Division Research Management Committee University of South Australia - 2013 - 2015 Member School Research Management Committee University of South Australia - 2012 - 2015 Secretary Australian & New Zealand Orthopaedic Research Society - - 2012 - 2013 Member Research Training Group University of South Australia - 2011 - ongoing Member Program Advisory Committee University of South Australia - 2009 - ongoing Member Program Management Team (Human Movement) University of South Australia - 2009 - 2011 Member School Research Management Committee University of South Australia - -
Memberships
Date Role Membership Country 2005 - ongoing Member International Society of Biomechanics - -
Editorial Boards
Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country 2016 - ongoing Board Member Journal of Biomechanics - - 2016 - ongoing Board Member Journal of Biomechanics - - 2014 - ongoing Board Member Gait and Posture - - 2013 - ongoing Board Member Gait and Posture - - -
Offices Held
Date Office Name Institution Country 2015 - ongoing - Australian & New Zealand Orthopaedic Research Society Australia
Connect With Me
External Profiles
