Main interests are in computational methods in mechanics, biomechanics and mechanobiology with particular application to multi-scale mechanobiology (cells and tissues) and musculoskeletal biomechanics. 

Additionally, developing supporting technologies for the above research, such as mesh generation methods and stochastic modelling and risk assessment.

Expertise categories

Biomedical engineering, Materials technology, ICT Applications, Medicine, Health, Life sciences

Skills and competences

Biomechanics and mechanobiology, finite element analysis (including user customisation), agent-based models of cell behaviour (using lattice-based spatial representations), risk analysis (classical Monte Carlo and accelerated Monte Carlo methods using surrogate models), and constitutive modelling of material behaviour.

Previously worked as a research fellow in Trinity College Dublin's Centre for Bioengineering (TCBE, http://www.tcd.ie/bioengineering) on a diverse range of projects including: patient-specific simulation of total hip replacement loosening; linking of patient-specific joint replacement simulation software with a health informatics electronic healthcare record, decision support, and work-flow management system; development and implementation of a simulation framework for mechanobiology research; and application of mechanobiology algorithms at both cell and tissue level to applications in orthopaedic and cardiovascular intervention.

Prior to working in Trinity College, worked as a research assistant in the Dept. of Mechanical Engineering in University College Dublin, and as a consultant engineer for a medical device campus spin-out company from University College Dublin's Bioengineering Research Centre.

To investigate cell and tissue mechanobiology through use of multi-scale modelling and physical measurement.  Specifically, to improve understanding of mechanisms by which mechanical force and deformation are transduced into cell signals and responses, based on analysis of mechanics and biochemistry at tissue, cell, and intracellular length and time-scales.

Ultimately, to translate this research to clinically relevant applications, e.g. in regenerative medicine, via collaboration with researchers in medicine and life sciences, biomaterials, and medical device engineering.

Research Themes

Cell and Tissue Mechanobiology

• Computational modelling and investigation of cytoskeletal mechanics and interaction with intracellular biochemistry with the aim of understanding cellular response to mechanical stimuli (mechanotransduction).
• Application of rule-based mechanotransduction algorithms to predicting response of cell populations to biomaterials and biomechanics inspired regenerative medicine strategies.
• Modification of mechanotransduction algorithms to modelling macroscopic (organ level) response of tissues to medical devices or disease(e.g. bone resorption around joint replacements, osteoporosis, neointimal inflammation and restenosis around cardiovascular stents) .

Patient-Specific and Population-Based Implant Biomechanics

• Modelling and simulation of long-term failure processes around orthopaedic implants (bone cement failure, implant-cement and implant-tissue interfacial failure, and bone remodelling).
• Customisation and automation of simulations to enable prediction of patient-specific response to implants.
• Incorporation of population variability into simulations of long-term failure processes using risk analysis strategies.

Strength of Materials (MEE2001, MEE2015, MEE3055)

Bio-solid and Polymer Mechanics (MEE4048, MEE7020)

Researcher ID: http://www.researcherid.com/rid/A-1133-2010

LinkedIn: http://uk.linkedin.com/in/alexlennon

CORDIS Partner Search Profile: http://cordis.europa.eu/partners/user/alexlennon

_connect (UK research and innovation network) profile: http://connect.innovateuk.org/web/alex.lennon/summary