The QUT Biomechanics & Spine Research Group launched in December 2002 as the Paediatric Spine Research Group, based at the Mater Children’s Hospital, South Brisbane. The collaborative research group was founded by Spine Orthopaedic Surgeon, Prof Geoff Askin and QUT Biomedical Engineer, Prof Mark Pearcy who had the vision to bring together engineers and orthopaedic surgeons to study the biomechanics and surgical correction of paediatric spine deformity, especially scoliosis. Our first 15 years was lead by Prof Clayton Adam (QUT Engineer), with Maree Izatt (Physiotherapist) as Research Assistant. The group prospered and grew, soon taking on QUT undergrad and postgrad students and the engineer-surgeon collaboration strengthened and started making significant clinical impacts.
Our current academic leader Assoc. Prof Paige Little has developed new relationships with clinicians and Industry as well as continuing to facilitate clinically translatable projects and develop innovative technologies to complement and enable cutting-edge clinical management techniques. Our close collaboration continues with the Spine Orthopaedic Surgeons at the Queensland Children’s Hospital which ensures our collective skills and capabilities are applied to real world scenarios, and will continue to impact the quality of care provided to QCH spine deformity patients.
