An interview with PhD student Hyab Mehari Abraha (Monash University, Australia).
Hyab's research in the field of Biomechanics is best described by her:
Australia is a very friendly and laid back culture but unfortunately jaw fractures account for ~40% of overall facial injuries and the main culprit is assault. Whilst jaw fracture treatment has seen the increased use of advanced technologies like surgically fixed implants, patients often experience post-operative complications. To successfully optimise jaw repair implants, and to minimise postoperative complications, surgeons require a clear understanding of how these interventions affect the function (mechanics) of the jaw. Thus, the aim of my research is to use a combination of mathematical models, computer simulations and in vivo experiments to determine how implants and screws affect jaw mechanics during chewing.
Q: What is it that drew you to this research?
I was initially drawn to biomechanics research because of how it integrates basic physics with complex anatomy. This interest was fostered by the passionate bio-mechanists who delivered my initial biomechanics lectures. I was later drawn to masticatory (chewing) biomechanics and implant research because of its potential to effect change and improve patient outcomes.
Q: What are your career goals and aspirations?
My immediate career goals include continuing my research through a post-doctoral fellowship and my long term career goals are to continue to contribute as a scientist in the field of biomechanics and/or prosthetics and implant design.
Q: What are you most proud about so far in terms of your achievements?
I am incredibly proud of my Fulbright Futures Fellowship. Both I and my supervisor (Dr Olga Panagiotopoulou) put a great deal of effort into putting together the study and subsequent application. I am also very proud of the work I am doing now (testing mandible fracture implants) and that I will be able to build on this work in the USA.
Q: What is one thing that you have found surprising while researching your focus?
I have found the variability in the research applications quite surprising. Masticatory biomechanics has applications in evolutionary biology, anthropology, anatomy and medicine/surgery. I feel very excited about working in a field that has such diverse applicability.
Q: What is one thing about your research you want people to take away with them?
That’s a hard question! I think, like all PhD students, that I want people to take away how important my project is, and how much we need evidence based medicine in surgery. However, perhaps more importantly I would like people to know that all research is collaborative, and without my supervisor, my co-supervisors, my department and the Fulbright commission I wouldn't be the kind of scientist I aspire to be.
Publication
Panagiotopoulou O*, Iriarte-Diaz J, Wilshin S, Dechow PC, Taylor AB, Mehari Abraha H, Aljunid SF, Ross CF*. (2017) In vivo bone strain and finite element modelling of a rhesus macaque mandible during mastication. Zoology: 10.1016/j.zool.2017.08.010.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/…/arti…/pii/S0944200616301805…
Conference Proceeding
Mehari Abraha H, Iriarte-Diaz J, Ross CF, Taylor AB, Wilshin S, Dechow PC, Panagiotopoulou O. The impact of the periodontal ligament on the mechanics of the primate jaw during post-canine chewing. 31st Annual Conference of Australasian Society for Human Biology, Ballarat, Australia 2017 (Oral Presentation –2nd Prize for Student Presentation)
Hyab's research in the field of Biomechanics is best described by her:
Australia is a very friendly and laid back culture but unfortunately jaw fractures account for ~40% of overall facial injuries and the main culprit is assault. Whilst jaw fracture treatment has seen the increased use of advanced technologies like surgically fixed implants, patients often experience post-operative complications. To successfully optimise jaw repair implants, and to minimise postoperative complications, surgeons require a clear understanding of how these interventions affect the function (mechanics) of the jaw. Thus, the aim of my research is to use a combination of mathematical models, computer simulations and in vivo experiments to determine how implants and screws affect jaw mechanics during chewing.
Q: What is it that drew you to this research?
I was initially drawn to biomechanics research because of how it integrates basic physics with complex anatomy. This interest was fostered by the passionate bio-mechanists who delivered my initial biomechanics lectures. I was later drawn to masticatory (chewing) biomechanics and implant research because of its potential to effect change and improve patient outcomes.
Q: What are your career goals and aspirations?
My immediate career goals include continuing my research through a post-doctoral fellowship and my long term career goals are to continue to contribute as a scientist in the field of biomechanics and/or prosthetics and implant design.
Q: What are you most proud about so far in terms of your achievements?
I am incredibly proud of my Fulbright Futures Fellowship. Both I and my supervisor (Dr Olga Panagiotopoulou) put a great deal of effort into putting together the study and subsequent application. I am also very proud of the work I am doing now (testing mandible fracture implants) and that I will be able to build on this work in the USA.
Q: What is one thing that you have found surprising while researching your focus?
I have found the variability in the research applications quite surprising. Masticatory biomechanics has applications in evolutionary biology, anthropology, anatomy and medicine/surgery. I feel very excited about working in a field that has such diverse applicability.
Q: What is one thing about your research you want people to take away with them?
That’s a hard question! I think, like all PhD students, that I want people to take away how important my project is, and how much we need evidence based medicine in surgery. However, perhaps more importantly I would like people to know that all research is collaborative, and without my supervisor, my co-supervisors, my department and the Fulbright commission I wouldn't be the kind of scientist I aspire to be.
Publication
Panagiotopoulou O*, Iriarte-Diaz J, Wilshin S, Dechow PC, Taylor AB, Mehari Abraha H, Aljunid SF, Ross CF*. (2017) In vivo bone strain and finite element modelling of a rhesus macaque mandible during mastication. Zoology: 10.1016/j.zool.2017.08.010.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/…/arti…/pii/S0944200616301805…
Conference Proceeding
Mehari Abraha H, Iriarte-Diaz J, Ross CF, Taylor AB, Wilshin S, Dechow PC, Panagiotopoulou O. The impact of the periodontal ligament on the mechanics of the primate jaw during post-canine chewing. 31st Annual Conference of Australasian Society for Human Biology, Ballarat, Australia 2017 (Oral Presentation –2nd Prize for Student Presentation)