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Alana Sharp

@acsharp

Senior lecturer (Assoc. Prof.) at University of Liverpool, Evolutionary Morphology & Biomechanics (EMB) research group πŸ’€Mostly cranial form & function in mammals πŸ‡πŸ€πŸ¦‡πŸ’πŸ¦πŸ˜πŸ¦’πŸ¦¬πŸ¦ πŸ”— @livevobiomech.bsky.social

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19.03.2025
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Latest posts by Alana Sharp @acsharp

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Really enjoyed this seminar from @drrostireadioff.bsky.social in our Musculoskeletal Biomechanics MSc @msc-mubm.bsky.social. She's doing such cool work linkingbiology and engineering...left with lots of new ideas!

Thanks @acsharp.bsky.social for hosting, and Rosti for letting me share this :)

06.03.2026 10:11 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Positions available - Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology

My post-doc Charlotte King will be starting her own Minerva research group in September and is looking for PhD students. Click here if you are into experimental biomechanics, apes and hominin evolution.

www.eva.mpg.de/career/posit...

23.02.2026 16:54 πŸ‘ 13 πŸ” 18 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Details | Working at Bristol | University of Bristol

🚨JOB alert🚨

We have three (yes, THREE) 🌟lectureships🌟 advertised in the School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol.

Broad remit, including #AnimalBehaviour & #GlobalChangeBiology

⏱️Deadline: 8th March 2026
πŸ™Please circulate widely

😊Come join us!

Full #job details: tinyurl.com/y3us95rc

23.02.2026 18:13 πŸ‘ 63 πŸ” 97 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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What drives impaired exercise tolerance in type 2 diabetes? James Charles and Roger Kissane use experimental and musculoskeletal modelling data to show that diabetes changes tendon mechanics in a way that makes locomotion more expensive 🦴🐁πŸ’ͺπŸ“‰
physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1113/...

16.02.2026 10:04 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Assessing muscle morphology and mechanics: one protocol does not fit all - Journal of Muscle Research and Cell Motility Journal of Muscle Research and Cell Motility -

πŸ“‘β€ΌοΈ New commentary out today from Roger on the importance of experimental design and best practice for muscle mechanics experiments!

27.01.2026 12:38 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 5 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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We are hiring a POSTDOC on an NIH award to measure inertial effects of (in)active muscle. Please share and re-post widely! Please send expressions of interest to my UML email.

27.01.2026 13:40 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 5 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Primates, Passion and Power Points: What I Learnt Talking about Monkey Sex By Betzy Manners Figure 1 An attentive family of Emperor tamarins. In November, National Museums Scotland displayed an exhibition focusing on β€˜Our Primate Family.’ Featuring new taxidermy of more t…

If you're not enticed by this title I don't know what to tell you...

New blog up from PhD student Betzy @betzymanners.bsky.social about her participation in a recent outreach event at @ntlmuseumsscot.bsky.social !

13.01.2026 13:36 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

πŸ“£ The Newton International Fellowship programme by the Royal Society opens on 15th January!

πŸ“If you're an early career researcher interested in collaborating and moving to Liverpool, lets chat!

πŸ”— www.royalsociety.org/grants/newto...

13.01.2026 11:28 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Avian cranial evolution is influenced by shape interactions between hard and soft tissue traits Abstract. Changes in the structure and relative size of the brain are thought to be key transformations in the evolution of birds, reflecting innovations a

You wait ages for a paper, and two come along (almost) at once! This is the first publication from the project we're currently working on, where we're investigating the relationship between different regions of the avian head. 1/n royalsocietypublishing.org/rspb/article...

17.12.2025 10:11 πŸ‘ 24 πŸ” 8 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 1

πŸ“£ONE WEEK left to apply for this PhD on the #biomechanics of mandibular implants, working with clinicians and engineers to improve patient outcomes.

πŸ“ @livuni-ilcams.bsky.social @livevobiomech.bsky.social in Liverpool, UK
πŸ₯Ό @clairebrockett.bsky.social @ukshaq.bsky.social and me!

26.11.2025 14:54 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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ACCE+ DLA Programme: Morphological Trait Evolution in Isolated Populations of Large Mammals and its Implications for Rewilding in the UK at University of Liverpool on FindAPhD.com PhD Project - ACCE+ DLA Programme: Morphological Trait Evolution in Isolated Populations of Large Mammals and its Implications for Rewilding in the UK at University of Liverpool, listed on FindAPhD.co...

Anyone interested in applying for PhDs at #2025SVP, email or find me or @tguillerme.bsky.social for a chat if you’re interested in morphological trait evolution with a conservation theme:
πŸ”— www.findaphd.com/phds/project...

13.11.2025 13:59 πŸ‘ 12 πŸ” 11 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Interested in implants and dental rehabilitation?

I have a fully funded PhD available on modelling mandibular implants after oral cancer.
Apply now or email me πŸ™‚
πŸ”— www.findaphd.com/phds/project...

11.11.2025 12:32 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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(BBSRC NWD) Fibrillin-1: a master regulator of skeletal muscle function? at University of Liverpool on FindAPhD.com PhD Project - (BBSRC NWD) Fibrillin-1: a master regulator of skeletal muscle function? at University of Liverpool, listed on FindAPhD.com

PhD advert πŸ₯³

BBSRC studentship focusing on the role of fibrillin-1 on the microvascular and mechanical function of skeletal muscle - potential for a whole range of interdisciplinary research techniques πŸ’ͺ🦴🧬🩸

All info at the link below - come join us!

10.11.2025 15:06 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Biomechanical impact of tooth root morphology to inform dental implant design Using finite element analysis (FEA), this study aims to investigate the impact of different tooth root morphologies and implant designs, including a s…

🦷 We saw that implants that mimic natural root morphology demonstrated more favourable stress distribution.

🦷 Standard single-root implants may lead to poor load distribution and increased failure risk in posterior locations.

πŸ”— www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

10.11.2025 14:43 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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πŸ“£ πŸ“ƒ New paper out in press!

🦷 We look at the biomechanical impact of #tooth root morphology to inform #dental implant design.

πŸ‘©β€πŸ’»We use finite element modelling to compare single vs. multiple roots on strain across the mandible.

@apwoodbailey.bsky.social @livevobiomech.bsky.social

10.11.2025 14:43 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1
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ACCE+ DLA Programme: Morphological Trait Evolution in Isolated Populations of Large Mammals and its Implications for Rewilding in the UK at University of Liverpool on FindAPhD.com PhD Project - ACCE+ DLA Programme: Morphological Trait Evolution in Isolated Populations of Large Mammals and its Implications for Rewilding in the UK at University of Liverpool, listed on FindAPhD.co...

πŸ“ Project based in Liverpool in @livevobiomech.bsky.social

πŸ₯Ό The team includes @tguillerme.bsky.social @toriherridge.bsky.social @nottswildlife.bsky.social and me!

πŸ”— Project description: www.findaphd.com/phds/project...

03.11.2025 12:08 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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πŸ“£Another exciting PhD available!

Partnered with @nottswildlife.bsky.social and fully funded by the ACCE+ NERC Doctoral Landscape Award.

We will look at morphological trait evolution, isolation and environment change, and rewilding of large herbivores.

#evolution #WilderFuture #rewilding #PhD

03.11.2025 12:08 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 5 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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MRC DiMeN Doctoral Training Partnership: Improving success of mandibular reconstruction after oral cancer: novel finite element methods for better patient outcomes at University of Liverpool on FindAP... PhD Project - MRC DiMeN Doctoral Training Partnership: Improving success of mandibular reconstruction after oral cancer: novel finite element methods for better patient outcomes at University of Liver...

πŸ’· The project is fully funded by the MRC DiMeN Doctoral Training Partnership

How to apply πŸ”— www.dimen.org.uk/how-to-apply
Project description πŸ”— www.findaphd.com/phds/project...

30.10.2025 16:56 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1

πŸ‘©β€βš•οΈ Working directly with surgeons, this project will provide clinically relevant information to prevent failure of jaw implants and improve patient outcomes following head & neck #cancer.
We will use #CT scanning 🩻 #biomechanics and modelling #FEA

30.10.2025 16:56 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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πŸ“£ Funded PhD combining anatomy, surgery and engineering!

πŸ’€ This project aims to characterise the biomechanical behaviour of jaw implants following mandibulectomy.

πŸ“@livuni-ilcams.bsky.social Liverpool, UK
πŸ₯Ό@ukshaq.bsky.social @clairebrockett.bsky.social and me!

30.10.2025 16:56 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 8 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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With the high detail from the scans, we can reconstruct the muscles in 3D to learn more about their function and how flight evolved in bats
πŸ“ƒπŸ”— doi.org/10.1111/joa....

30.10.2025 14:28 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

It's spoooky season! πŸŽƒπŸ¦‡ πŸ‘»
Check out is video of our Egyptian Fruit Bat, stained with iodine and CT scanned to visualise the muscles

30.10.2025 14:19 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Taking over #3DThursday while Brandy Freitas @brandy-syglass.bsky.social is out of office for some adventures!

πŸ¦‡: Rousettus aegyptiacus stained in 10% Lugol’s iodine for 3 months
πŸ”¬: PerkinElmer Quantum GX microCT
πŸ₯Ό: @acsharp.bsky.social
πŸ›οΈ: University of Liverpool’s Centre for Preclinical Imaging

30.10.2025 14:02 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1
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On the 4th December 2025, @eesaupe.bsky.social will be giving an in person lecture at @ljmuofficial.bsky.social as part of the MENDLS series.

There will be tea and cake, a panel discussion, and a reception to follow!

Open to all, more details πŸ‘‡

Register here:
forms.gle/hHEQA4mSZEXg...

20.10.2025 07:35 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 2
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Our new MSc is rolling! Semester one provides a solid general background in Biomechanics with some fun practicals. Check out our students have fun learning surface electromyography.

16.10.2025 13:48 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Graphical abstract for A history of human thought on brain injury in head-hitting animals. Humans have hypothesized about headbutting for centuries. Biological misunderstanding has often been the cause of "invulnerability" theories. An accumulation of biological misinterpretation has led to the belief that animals are immune, despite evidence that headbutting causes brain injury.

Graphical abstract for A history of human thought on brain injury in head-hitting animals. Humans have hypothesized about headbutting for centuries. Biological misunderstanding has often been the cause of "invulnerability" theories. An accumulation of biological misinterpretation has led to the belief that animals are immune, despite evidence that headbutting causes brain injury.

Violence, scientific DRAMA, and misunderstanding!
Who first asked if woodpeckers get headaches, or if rams are immune to brain damage?
New Paper! I trace the history of human thought on brain injury in head-hitting animals, and it's a wild ride. πŸ§ͺ 🏺
A thread - 1/🧡
doi.org/10.1002/ar.7...

16.10.2025 14:38 πŸ‘ 115 πŸ” 30 πŸ’¬ 6 πŸ“Œ 5

I'm very excited to work on this with an amazing team including @rnf.bsky.social @nathanj.bsky.social @apwoodbailey.bsky.social and @lucyhholmes.bsky.social

10.10.2025 17:13 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Marsupial megafauna might be an extreme example, but we don’t really know πŸ€·β€β™€οΈ so I’ve been thinking about the relationship between cranial sinuses, brain size, skull shape, and jaw muscles for a long time πŸ‘€πŸ˜¬

10.10.2025 16:56 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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My PhD was on the cranial sinuses of the largest ever marsupial, Diprotodon - literally airheads. Blue in these figures are sinuses and pink is the brain - the bigger an animal gets, the more of an airhead they become πŸ€”πŸ˜…

10.10.2025 16:52 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

I’m very excited to welcome @lucyhholmes.bsky.social to the lab! Lucy will be working on Building Giants, funded by @leverhulme.ac.uk to investigate cranial sinuses in large mammals πŸ¦“πŸ˜πŸ¦›πŸ¦πŸͺπŸ¦’πŸ¦¬πŸ‚πŸ¦Œ
This project is something I’ve been wanting to do for over a decade …

10.10.2025 16:48 πŸ‘ 10 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 3 πŸ“Œ 0