The University of Salford

CRHPR was established in 2000 and already has an international reputation for multidisciplinary research related to the clinical practice of the allied health professions associated with rehabilitation and human performance. Research spans the disciplines of clinical research, human movement sciences, health technologies, bioengineering and computer science, and involves significant international collaborations. Since 2001, more than 35 external grants have been secured worth over £3M from EU Framework programmes, EPSRC, ESRC, UK and EU charities and Government agencies (NHS, DoH, DTI and MoD). There is a thriving community of more than 50 research students and investment in excess of £1M has built state of the art experimental infrastructure to support rapid growth.

Prof David Howard leads the Rehabilitation Technology and Biomedical Engineering Resarch theme within the Centre for Rehabilitation & Human Performance Research (CRHPR). His research career has been varied and extensive, leading to over 100 publications, 30 in peer reviewed journals, and research contracts worth over £3 million. Previous research interests revolved around the design, measurement & control of engineering systems (in automotive, machinery and robotics applications). For over 10 years he has focused on biomedical engineering and his current interests include: lower limb prostheses; control systems for functional electrical stimulation (FES); real-world monitoring of patients and their assistive devices; measurement of postural recovery post-stroke; computational modelling of human gait; and biomechanical modelling of musculo-skeletal systems.

Dr Laurence Kenney is a Senior Research Fellow in CRHPR. Dr Kenney’s research has resulted in over 60 publications, 18 in peer reviewed journals, and research contracts worth ~£1.3 million. Dr Kenney has a strong track record in assistive device design and evaluation, with a particular focus on functional electrical stimulation (FES) and neurological pathologies, notably stroke. He was closely involved in the research, development and subsequent commercialisation of one of the world’s first implantable drop foot stimulators (www.finetech-medical.co.uk) and is project managing Salford’s work on the accelerometer-based control system for an implantable, upper limb functional electrical stimulator in the €26 million EU Framework VI Healthy Aims Project. He has recently been appointed to the Associate Editorship of Prosthetics and Orthotics International.

Dr Sarah Tyson is a senior research fellow in CRHPR and leader of the Clinical and Rehabilitation Research theme. She is a physiotherapist and her research focuses on neurological rehabilitation, with a particular interest in the application of novel and assistive technology to solve clinical problems and improve outcomes for people with neurological disabilities. Her outputs include over 35 peer-reviewed articles and grant funding of over £2.3 million. She is President-elect of the Society for Research in Rehabilitation and the Rehabilitation lead for the North-West Stroke Research Network.

Dr Chris Nester is Director of the Centre for Rehabilitation & Human Performance Research. A clinical Podiatrist by initial training Chris has led a range of international activities related to foot and ankle biomechanics research. With Prof Howard, he has a keen interest in use of robots for manipulation of foot cadaver specimens to enable closer invetsigation of the human foot during walking, and this work is currently being taken forward with colleagues from the Engineering and Robotics Group at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Other research relates to both clinical and biomechnical effectiveness of insoles/foot orthoses and footwear. Chris is involved in two University spin off companies related to footwear and insoles and has a range of other industry partnerships. Chris was a founder member of iFAB - International Foot and Ankle Biomechncis Community.

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