Biography
Professor Amy Zavatsky studied Bioengineering as an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania. Having received a Thouron Award for postgraduate study in the UK, she enrolled at the University of Oxford and completed a doctorate in the area of orthopaedic biomechanics. She is currently a Reader and Associate Professor in Engineering Science and a Tutorial Fellow of St Edmund Hall. She teaches topics in mechanical, civil, and biomedical engineering and is a recipient of a University Teaching Award. A former Junior Proctor of the University of Oxford, she has also recently served as Associate Head of Department (Graduates) & Director of Graduate Studies (Engineering Science).
Amy is currently an external examiner at Imperial College London for the B.Eng. and M.Eng. programmes in Bioengineering and for the intercalated B.Sc. in Medical Sciences with Biomedical Engineering.
Research Interests
Prof Zavatsky’s research in orthopaedic biomechanics is based at the Botnar Research Centre, which houses the University of Oxford’s Institute of Musculoskeletal Sciences. She collaborates with colleagues at the Oxford Gait Laboratory and at the University’s Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences on projects related to lower limb biomechanics. She has published articles on theoretical models of the knee and its associated ligaments and bones; comprehensive in vitro experimental data sets for knee model validation and knee replacement design; hip, knee, ankle, and foot kinematics; tendon mechanics; and recommendations for rehabilitation exercises. Her current work focuses mainly on the biomechanics of the foot and ankle, both in isolation and in relation to the rest of the lower limb. It has clinical applications in the treatment of children with cerebral palsy and of patients with flatfoot and other foot pathologies.
Current Projects
Multi-segment foot modelling: This project aims to develop a more advanced multi-segment foot model that incorporates the motion of the forefoot in a clinically useful and practical way.
Data visualization for the practice and teaching of clinical gait analysis: The aim of this project is to use recent advances in the theory and practice of data visualization to reduce the cognitive load and facilitate the treatment decisions of those involved in clinical gait analysis and to improve the experience of students learning about clinical gait analysis.
Row3D – Motion analysis for improved performance: The aim of this project, being carried out in collaboration with Run3D, is to apply the concepts and practices used to assess running gait analysis to ergometer rowing.
Research Groups
Recent publications
USING SURFACE MARKERS TO DESCRIBE THE KINEMATICS OF THE MEDIAL LONGITUDINAL ARCH
Uhan J, Kothari A, Zavatsky A & Stebbins J (2023), Gait & Posture
BibTeX
@article{usingsurfacemar-2023/3,
title={USING SURFACE MARKERS TO DESCRIBE THE KINEMATICS OF THE MEDIAL LONGITUDINAL ARCH},
author={Uhan J, Kothari A, Zavatsky A & Stebbins J},
journal={Gait & Posture},
publisher={Elsevier BV},
year = "2023"
}
Efficacy of quantifying marker-cluster rigidity in a multi-segment foot model: a Monte-Carlo based global sensitivity analysis and regression model
Chan P-H, Stebbins J & Zavatsky A (2021), Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering
BibTeX
@article{efficacyofquant-2021/7,
title={Efficacy of quantifying marker-cluster rigidity in a multi-segment foot model: a Monte-Carlo based global sensitivity analysis and regression model},
author={Chan P-H, Stebbins J & Zavatsky A},
journal={Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering},
publisher={Taylor and Francis},
year = "2021"
}
Comparison of the hindfoot axes of a multi-segment foot model to the underlying bony anatomy
Zavatsky A, Paik AMH, Leitch J, Kothari A & Stebbins J (2019), Journal of Biomechanics, 93(2019), 34-41
BibTeX
@article{comparisonofthe-2019/6,
title={Comparison of the hindfoot axes of a multi-segment foot model to the underlying bony anatomy},
author={Zavatsky A, Paik AMH, Leitch J, Kothari A & Stebbins J},
journal={Journal of Biomechanics},
volume={93},
pages={34-41},
publisher={Elsevier},
year = "2019"
}
Marker cluster rigidity in a multi-segment foot model
Chan P-H, Stebbins J & Zavatsky A (2019), Journal of Biomechanics, 84, 284-289
BibTeX
@article{markerclusterri-2019/1,
title={Marker cluster rigidity in a multi-segment foot model},
author={Chan P-H, Stebbins J & Zavatsky A},
journal={Journal of Biomechanics},
volume={84},
pages={284-289},
publisher={Elsevier},
year = "2019"
}
Kinematic differences between neutral and flat feet with and without symptoms as measured by the Oxford foot model
Kerr C, Zavatsky A, Theologis T & Stebbins J (2018), Gait and Posture, 67, 213-218
BibTeX
@article{kinematicdiffer-2018/10,
title={Kinematic differences between neutral and flat feet with and without symptoms as measured by the Oxford foot model},
author={Kerr C, Zavatsky A, Theologis T & Stebbins J},
journal={Gait and Posture},
volume={67},
pages={213-218},
publisher={Elsevier},
year = "2018"
}
Muscle length in flatfeet and neutral feet using a new multi-segment, musculoskeletal foot model
Krautwurst BK, Mellon S, Koning B, Zavatsky A, Andersen et al. (2018), Gait and Posture, 65(S1), 121-122
BibTeX
@article{musclelengthinf-2018/6,
title={Muscle length in flatfeet and neutral feet using a new multi-segment, musculoskeletal foot model},
author={Krautwurst BK, Mellon S, Koning B, Zavatsky A, Andersen et al.},
journal={Gait and Posture},
volume={65},
pages={121-122},
publisher={Elsevier},
year = "2018"
}
Viscoelasticity of Tendons Under Transverse Compression
Buckley CP, Salisbury STS & Zavatsky A (2016), Journal of Biomechanical Engineering, 138(10), 101004
BibTeX
@article{viscoelasticity-2016/8,
title={Viscoelasticity of Tendons Under Transverse Compression},
author={Buckley CP, Salisbury STS & Zavatsky A},
journal={Journal of Biomechanical Engineering},
volume={138},
pages={101004},
publisher={American Society of Mechanical Engineers},
year = "2016"
}
Does increasing applied load lead to contact changes indicative of knee osteoarthritis? A subject-specific FEA study.
Boyd JL, Zavatsky AB & Gill HS (2016), International journal for numerical methods in biomedical engineering, 32(4), e02740
BibTeX
@article{doesincreasinga-2016/4,
title={Does increasing applied load lead to contact changes indicative of knee osteoarthritis? A subject-specific FEA study.},
author={Boyd JL, Zavatsky AB & Gill HS},
journal={International journal for numerical methods in biomedical engineering},
volume={32},
pages={e02740},
year = "2016"
}
An investigation into the aetiology of flexible flat feet: the role of subtalar joint morphology
Kothari A, Bhuva S, Stebbins J, Zavatsky A & Theologis T (2016), Bone and Joint Journal, 98-B(4), 564-568
BibTeX
@article{aninvestigation-2016/4,
title={An investigation into the aetiology of flexible flat feet: the role of subtalar joint morphology},
author={Kothari A, Bhuva S, Stebbins J, Zavatsky A & Theologis T},
journal={Bone and Joint Journal},
volume={98-B},
pages={564-568},
publisher={British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery},
year = "2016"
}
Are flexible flat feet associated with proximal joint problems in children?
Kothari A, Dixon PC, Stebbins J, Zavatsky AB & Theologis T (2016), Gait & posture, 45, 204-210
BibTeX
@article{areflexibleflat-2016/3,
title={Are flexible flat feet associated with proximal joint problems in children?},
author={Kothari A, Dixon PC, Stebbins J, Zavatsky AB & Theologis T},
journal={Gait & posture},
volume={45},
pages={204-210},
year = "2016"
}
DPhil Opportunities
If you have an interest in the biomechanics of the lower limb and a strong background in mechanical or biomedical engineering or a related technical area and would like to apply for to Oxford for postgraduate study at the master’s or doctoral level, then please contact me to discuss possible projects and funding sources.
