Ryan Quarrington

Dr Ryan Quarrington

Grant-Funded Researcher (B)

Adelaide Medical School

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.


Dr Ryan Quarrington is a biomechanical/biomedical engineer at the Centre for Orthopaedic and Trauma Research, University of Adelaide. His primary research focus utilises novel experimental and in silico techniques to investigate the mechanisms underlying devastating traumatic injuries, particularly of the brain and spine. He was awarded the 2022 Dr Dorothea Sandars Churchill Fellowship to travel to leading injury biomechanics laboratories throughout the UK, Europe, and North America (January-March 2023) and acquire a deep understanding of contemporary approaches to spine and brain injury research. Through this Fellowship (only 84 awarded across all disciplines in 2022), Ryan has made invaluable connections with international academics and industry leaders. Through his research, Dr Quarrington is committed to contributing towards the worldwide effort to reduce the incidence and impact of preventable injuries.

Projects available for 2024
Research projects are available for students of Medical Sciences & Mechanical Engineering in the categories of: Summer Research Projects, 3rd Yr, Honours/FYP, MPhil, Masters by CW, PhD. All projects are based at Adelaide Health & Medical Sciences Building, North Tce. All projects have flexible start dates, depending on project availability and research needs at the time of commencement. Projects described are suited to 1 year duration; if you are interested in applying for MPhil or PhD, please contact Dr Quarrington to discuss potential projects related to applied biomechanics, orthopaedics and neurotrauma.

Research Project 1 - Developing instrumented surrogate soft tissue organs for estimating injury risk during simulated trauma.
Project description: 
Trauma is the leading cause of disability and death for people under 40 and is most often a result of road-related accidents. Vehicle safety evaluation devices, including anthropometric test devices (ATDs, aka crash test dummies), are used in the Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) to ensure that vehicles provide adequate protection for occupants, other road-users, and pedestrians, during collisions. However, these test devices cannot reliably predict injury to vital internal soft tissue organs such as the spinal cord and brain. Soft tissue trauma is multi-directional and highly dependent on loading location and distribution, but the rigid sensors used in ATDs (e.g., load cells) only measure the overall mechanical response of the entire body region and infer injury risk using non-specific, unidirectional injury criteria. The aim of this project is to embed novel optical sensors within surrogate soft tissue organs, with realistic geometry and mechanical properties, to acquire highly sensitive, high resolution, multi-directional deformation measurements for direct assessment of organ injury risk.

 The project will involve:

  • Creating surrogate soft organs, with appropriate geometry, using various hydrogels;
  • Varying the composition of hydrogels and determining their relationship to the material properties;
  • Developing methods for rigidly embedding optical fiber within hydrogels; and,
  • Exploring optical sensor array design and signal processing to obtain temperature-compensated, multi-directional deformation measurements.

Project suitable for: Mechanical Engineering - Summer Research / FYP / MPhil / PhD

 

Research Project 2 - Injury patterns and patient outcomes associated with micromobility accidents.
Project description: Electric scooters (e-scooters) and other personal micromobility devices are increasingly popular modes of transportation, with hire e-scooters recording 808,000 trips in Adelaide (as of October 2022) since they were introduced in 2019. However, emerging reports from other cities have found that the adoption and misuse of micromibility devices has led to an influx of related injuries at hospital emergency departments, both of the rider and other road users (e.g., pedestrians and cyclists). In order to develop new legislation around the use of these transportation modes, and to guide prevention strategies and clinical management of the injuries associated with their use, additional evidence on injury patterns and patient outcomes is required. The aim of this project is to investigate the injury patterns and patient outcomes of micromobility accident cases admitted to the Royal Adelaide Hospital emergency department.

The project will involve:

  • Identifying appropriate cases via an audit of the emergency department admission notes;
  • Extracting injury causation and outcome information from patient case notes; and,
  • Undertaking statistical analysis of the data.

Project suitable for: Mechanical Engineering or Health Science - Summer Research / FYP / MPhil / PhD

 

Research Project 3 - Biomechanical investigation of thoracic spine injury mechanisms and the efficacy of current racing vests during jockey falls.

Project description: Despite the high incidence of jockey falls in horse racing, little is known about the mechanisms underlying the devastating spinal injuries associated with these falls. Globally, over one quarter of jockey falls result in fractures of the head, neck, and back (thoracic spine), all of which are potentially career- and life-threatening. In a review by the British Horseracing Authority, thoracic spine injuries were the second most common career ending injuries (13.3%) suffered by jockeys, behind the head and neck (26.7%). In an effort to protect against torso and spinal injuries, jockey safety vests became compulsory in Australian horse racing in 1998; however, there is no evidence that these vests mitigate occurrence of the severe back injuries that occur during impact with the ground. Therefore, the overall aim of this project is to determine the mechanisms underlying jockey thoracic spine injuries during horseracing falls and investigate the efficacy of current jockey vests in mitigating these injuries. 
In the proposed project, a computational modelling pipeline will be established that can simulate the most common jockey-to-ground impact scenarios resulting in spinal injuries. This computer modelling pipeline will combine multi rigid-body modelling with dynamic finite element analysis, both of which will be informed by video analysis of horseracing falls (both injurious and non-injurious) and ex vivo impact biomechanics data. The outputs from these computer simulations will provide novel insights into the mechanisms leading to thoracic spine injuries during a jockey fall and will allow investigation into the influence of racing vests on spinal injury mechanics

Project suitable for: Mechanical Engineering - Summer Research / FYP / MPhil / PhD. Some computer modelling experience will be required.

 

Research Project 4 - Exploring brain imaging biomarkers and head acceleration metrics to inform return-to-play guidelines following concussion in contact sports.

Project description: This project will utilise world-leading medical imaging and field biomechanics measurement approaches to develop improved concussion identification protocols and inform return-to-play guidelines in contact sports. Contact Dr Quarrington for more information.

Project suitable for: Mechanical Engineering - Summer Research / FYP / MPhil / PhD. 

  • Appointments

    Date Position Institution name
    2019 - ongoing Postdoctoral Research Fellow University of Adelaide
    2018 - 2019 Research Engineer University of Adelaide
    2013 - 2013 Research Engineer SA Pathology
    2012 - 2013 Research Engineer University of Adelaide, Adelaide
    2012 - 2017 Laboratory Teaching Assistant University of Adelaide, Adelaide
  • Awards and Achievements

    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2023 Fellowship 2022 Dr Dorothea Sanders Churchill Fellowship Churchill Trust Australia 29,021
    2017 Research Award David Winter Young Investigator Award - Shortlisted International Society of Biomechanics - -
    2017 Research Award Medtronic Spinal Research Award Spine Society of Australia Australia -
    2016 Research Award Young Investigator Best Paper Prize Australia & New Zealand Spinal Cord Society Australia -
    2015 Scholarship Dawes Top-up Scholarship RAH Research Foundation Australia -
    2014 Scholarship Research Training Program Australian Federal Government Australia -
    2012 Research Award ARI Prize for Research Impact School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Adelaide Australia -
    2011 Scholarship Summer Research Scholarship University of Adelaide Australia -
    2009 Scholarship Tertiary Student Care Trust Scholarship Wyndham Richardson Australia -
    2008 Scholarship Regional Support Science Scholarship Playford Memorial Trust Australia -
  • Language Competencies

    Language Competency
    English Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review
  • Education

    Date Institution name Country Title
    2014 - 2018 University of Adelaide, Adelaide Australia PhD
    2009 - 2012 University of Adelaide, Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical and Sports) - 1st Class Honours
  • Research Interests

Lifetime Support Authority Research Grant (2023-24) "Do head and neck posture before head-first impact determine the risk of neck dislocation injury during a motor-vehicle accident?". AU$375,474. (Principal Investigators: Quarrington, Jones, Mongiardini)

Early Grant Development Funding Scheme, Adelaide Medical School (2023) "An instrumented surrogate spinal cord for measuring cord compression during simulated neck trauma".  AU$72,443. (Principal Investigators: Quarrington, Ebendorff-Heidepriem, Tansu, Jones, Arkwright)

Bone Health Foundation Early Career Research Grant (2022) "Are subchondral bone pathologies in the cervical spine associated with facet joint degeneration?". AU$24,910. (Principal Investigators: Quarrington, Jones, Muratovic, Freeman)

Perpetual IMPACT Philanthropy Program Project Grant (2021-2022) "A preclinical model of repeated mTBI for the study of neurodegenerative processes and potential treatments". AU$97,263. (Principal Investigators: Jones, Quarrington)

The Hospital Research Foundation Project Grant (2021-2022) [2020-65-QA25279] "Neck stiffness and range of motion “corridors” for design of an advanced patient simulator mannequin neck". AU$125,542.20. (Principal Investigators: Jones, Robertson, Quarrington, Freeman)

University of Adelaide Medical School Small Equipment Grant (2021) "Machining equipment and 3D printer". AU$6,397. (Principal Investigators: Quarrington, Jones)

University of Adelaide Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences Infrastructure Grant (2021) "Sonomicrometry system for soft tissue motion and deformation measurements"AU$40,405. (Principal Investigators: Jones, Quarrington).

University of Adelaide Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences Infrastructure Grant (2021) "Angular rate sensors for injury biomechanics studies"AU$4,975. (Principal Investigators: Jones, Quarrington).

University of Adelaide Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences Infrastructure Grant (2021) "WACOM high resolution drawing tablet monitor"AU$8,576. (Principal Investigators: Jones, Quarrington, Thewlis).

University of Adelaide Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences Infrastructure Grant (2019) "Peripheral items for Injury Biomechanics “Drop Tower” apparatus" (Principal Investigators: Jones, Quarrington, Freeman).

University of Adelaide Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences Infrastructure Grant (2019) "Materials testing machine input/output board" (Principal Investigators: Jones, Quarrington, Freeman).

University of Adelaide Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences Infrastructure Grant (2019) "Data acquisition chassis and module for custom accelerometer array system" (Principal Investigators: Jones, Quarrington, Turner, Leonard, Corrigan).

ARC Discovery Project (2019-2022) [DP190101209] “Elucidating the mechanics of facet dislocation and fracture in the neck” (Chief Investigators: Jones, Costi, Freeman; Partner Investigators: Cripton; Named Post-doctoral Researcher: Quarrington). 

AOSpine Australia & New Zealand Research Project Grant (2015) “Towards improved understanding of the mechanisms underlying cervical facet fracture and dislocation: quantitative evaluation of facet deflection and loading” (Principal Investigators: Jones, Freeman, Costi). A significant contribution was made towards this successful grant application.

Royal Adelaide Hospital Research Fund, Clinical Project Grant (2015). "Quantitative evaluation of facet deflection and loading in the human cervical spine." (Principal Investigators: Jones, Freeman, Costi). A significant contribution was made towards this successful grant application.

  • Sports Engineering (MECH3112), Lecturer, School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Adelaide (2022)
  • Sports Engineering II (MECH3107), Course Coordinator & Lecturer, School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Adelaide (2021)
  • Musculoskeletal Biomechanics & Health (ORT&TRAU3000), Lecturer, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide (2020)
  • Biomechanical Engineering (MECH ENG 4101/7044), Lecturer, School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Adelaide (2020-2021)
  • Sports Engineering I (MECH2102), Lecturer, School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Adelaide (2020)
  • Sports Materials (MECH3108), Teaching Assistant, School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Adelaide (2012-2017) 
  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2021 Co-Supervisor Developing a pre-clinical model of closed head traumatic brain injury and a method of mapping 3D brain deformation and motion in vivo. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Charlie Cenin Magarey
    2021 Co-Supervisor Biomechanics of Cervical Spine Trauma Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Parham Foroutan
    2020 Co-Supervisor Biomechanics of Subaxial Cervical Spine Injury in Head-First Impact Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Darcy Thompson-Bagshaw
    2020 Co-Supervisor Cervical Spine Biomechanics with application to a novel Patient Simulator Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Miss Mingyue Liu
  • Other Supervision Activities

    Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name
    2020 - ongoing Co-Supervisor Design and manufacture of an advanced patient simulator mannequin neck The University of Adelaide Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mingyue Liu
    2020 - ongoing Co-Supervisor Biomechanics of subaxial cervical spine injury during head-first impact The University of Adelaide Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Darcy Thompson-Bagshaw
    2019 - 2020 Co-Supervisor Centre of mass of the sheep head The University of Adelaide Summer Research Project, Mechanical Engineering Other Full Time Manjot Bhathal
    2019 - 2020 Co-Supervisor Creating accurate anatomical coordinate systems for the cervical spine from CT images and fiducial markers University of Adelaide Summer Research Project, Mechanical Engineering Other Full Time Nicholas Cunha
    2019 - 2020 Co-Supervisor Cervical spine bone quality and strength The University of Adelaide Summer Research Project, Medical Sciences Other Full Time Mackenzie Skinner
    2019 - 2020 Co-Supervisor Mechanical properties of spinal dura mater and pericranium The University of Adelaide Doctoral Internship Program (McGill University) Other Full Time Sacha Cavelier
    2018 - 2018 Co-Supervisor Visualisation of spinal facet kinematics using co-registration of CT and motion capture data University of Adelaide Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Honours) Honours Full Time Darcy Thompson-Bagshaw
    2017 - 2018 Co-Supervisor Visualisation of spinal kinematics using co-registration of CT and motion capture data University of Adelaide Summer Research Project, Mechanical Engineering Other Full Time Fraser Darcy
    2017 - 2018 Co-Supervisor Measurement of cervical vertebral bone quality and geometry The University of Adelaide Summer Research Project, Mechanical Engineering Other Full Time Amy Rees
    2016 - 2017 Principal Supervisor Mechanical response of the facets during simulated cervical facet dislocation The University of Adelaide Summer Research Project, Mechanical Engineering Other Full Time Rachael Killian
    2015 - 2016 Co-Supervisor Passive spine testing apparatus The University of Adelaide Summer Research Project, Mechanical Engineering Other Full Time Alexander Coventry & Hannah Andrews
    2015 - 2016 Co-Supervisor Mechanical testing of trabecular cores from vertebral bodies of paediatric sheep spines The University of Adelaide Summer Research Project, Mechanical Engineering Other Full Time Amie vanAntwerpen & Warwick Langman
    2014 - 2015 Co-Supervisor Case note review of cervical spine injuries at the RAH The University of Adelaide Summer Research Project, Medicine Other Full Time Shabnam Torabiardakani
    2014 - 2015 Co-Supervisor Development of software to measure parameters relating to subaxial cervical facet dislocation on medical images The University of Adelaide Summer Research Project, Mechanical Engineering Other Full Time Alexander Martin
  • Presentation

    Date Topic Presented at Institution Country
    2021 - ongoing Developing and Characterising a Porcine Survival Model of Thoracic Contusion Spinal Cord Injury Annual Scientific Meeting Spine Society of Australia -
    2021 - ongoing Developing and Characterising a Porcine Survival Model of Thoracic Contusion Spinal Cord Injury Florey Postgraduate Research Conference Florey Medical Foundation, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide -
    2020 - ongoing Developing and Characterising a Porcine Survival Model of Thoracic Contusion Spinal Cord Injury South Australian Annual Scientific Meeting Australian Society for Medical Research -
  • Position: Grant-Funded Researcher (B)
  • Phone: 83132854
  • Email: ryan.quarrington@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Adelaide Health and Medical Sciences, floor 7
  • Org Unit: Surgical Specialities

Connect With Me
External Profiles