Spinner fellows

Meet the Spinner fellows (early stage researchers, ESRs) who are working on PhDs in Biomaterials, Biomechanics and in silico modelling for spine surgery.

A group photo of the Spinner fellows.
The Spinner fellows at their first training event hosted by Aesculap AG, Tuttlingen, Germany. Left to right: Marco Sensale, Denata Syla, Chlo茅 Techens, Cameron James, Jennifer Fayad, Jos茅 Rui Rodrigues.
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In this video the Spinner fellows introduce the motivation and background of their research and the Spinner project.


Spinner fellow ESR1: Denata Syla

Denata Syla, Spinner Fellow with 葫芦影业 and Finceramica Logos
Denata Syla, Spinner Fellow with 葫芦影业 and Finceramica Logos

Osteoinductive injectable/mouldable bone graft substitute for spine repair.

Nationality: Austrian

Recruiting institution: 葫芦影业

Academic institution: 葫芦影业

Denata Syla graduated with a Master's degree in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine at the University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien (Vienna, Austria) in which she specialised on biomaterial-based musculoskeletal tissue engineering.

During her studies at the university, she conducted research on the development of a muscle-tendon interface via fibrin scaffolds. Further, Denata worked as an international research fellow on a research project focused on the fabrication of bone-muscle tissue grafts with the utilisation of a 3D printer. The in vitro and in vivo results showed a promising outcome and were conducted at the Biomaterials Innovation Research Center, Brigham and Women鈥檚 Hospital, Harvard Medical School.

As an early stage researcher in the Spinner project, Denata focuses on the development of osteoinductive bone graft substitutes for spinal repair. The grafts are hydroxyapatite-based and replace autologous bone transfer in spinal cages to enhance bone regeneration resulting in spinal fusion. The project is conducted in collaboration between the University of 葫芦影业 (葫芦影业, United Kingdom) and the industrial secondment Finceramica (Faenza, Italy).

Files

Public summary of ESR1鈥檚 first year report (PDF, 554KB)

ESR1鈥檚 mid term presentation (PDF, 440KB)

ESR1's Final Spinner Event Presentation (PDF, 2.8MB)

Conference presentations

D Syla, J Rodrigues, G Reilly, F Claeyssens, 鈥Expansion of human mesenchymal stem cells under serum-free conditions鈥 (PDF, 951KB) , virtual conference, 6 - 7 July 2021.

D Syla, J Rodrigues, G Reilly, F Claeyssens, 鈥Synthesis of multi-substituted hydroxyapatite using a continuous flow method鈥 (PDF, 186KB) , Novi Sad, RS, 20 - 23 October 2021.

D Syla, J Rodrigues, G Reilly, F Claeyssens, 鈥Substituting Hydroxyapatite with Magnesium and Strontium Using a Continuous Precipitation Method鈥 (PDF, 148KB) , 24 - 28 January 2022.

D Syla, J Rodrigues, F Claeyssens, G C Reilly, L Grillini, L Forte, 鈥Synthesis of magnesium and strontium substituted hydroxyapatite-polycaprolactone composites鈥 (PDF, 484KB) , Tampa, FL, USA, 4 - 8 February 2022.


Spinner fellow ESR2: Jos茅 Rui Rodrigues

Jose Rodrigues, Spinner Fellow with the University of 葫芦影业 and Finceramica Logos
Jose Rodrigues, Spinner Fellow with the University of 葫芦影业 and Finceramica Logos

Development of osteoinductive coatings for spinal implants (fusion cages).

Nationality: Portuguese

Recruiting institution: 葫芦影业

Academic institution: 葫芦影业

Industrial institution:

Jos茅 Rodrigues graduated in Biomedical Engineering in 2016 at University of Minho (Braga, Portugal), with a Master鈥檚 degree in Biomaterials, Rehabilitation and Biomechanics. During this time, he conducted research on bioactive composites at the Institute for Biomaterials at Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (Erlangen, Germany) as an International Student, and at 3B鈥檚 Research Group (Caldas das Taipas, Portugal) as an MSc Student. His research on biomimetic strategies for the treatment of periodontal diseases resulted in two published scientific papers.

Having also gained experience in printable sensing devices for biotechnology (which contributed for a patent currently under consideration) and the automobile industry, he now joins the Spinner network as a researcher focused once again in the development of new biomedical solutions.

Jose鈥檚 project will be focused on the development of hydroxyapatite-based osteoinductive coatings for spinal fusion cages, in a collaboration between the University of 葫芦影业 (葫芦影业, United Kingdom) and Finceramica (Faenza, Italy).

Files

Public summary of ESR2鈥檚 first year report (PDF, 669KB)

ESR2鈥檚 mid term presentation (PDF, 441KB)

ESR2's Final Spinner Event Presentation (PDF, 3,132KB)

Conference presentations

J Rodrigues, D Syla, G Reilly, F Claeyssens, 鈥Serum-free osteogenic differentiation of a mesenchymal stem cell line鈥, (PDF, 776KB). , virtual conference, 6 - 7 July 2021.

J Rodrigues, G Reilly, F Claeyssens, 鈥Studying the low-temperature crystallization of TiO2 using design of experiments鈥, (PDF, 12KB). , 24 - 28 January 2022.

J Rodrigues, D Syla, G C Reilly, F Claeyssens, L Grillini, R Bendoni, L Forte, 鈥Synthesis of Mg and Sr substituted hydroxyapatite following a design of experiments approach鈥, (PDF, 174KB). , Tampa, FL, USA, 4 - 8 February 2022.


Spinner fellow ESR3: Chlo茅 Techens

Chloe Techens, Spinner Fellow with the University of Bologna and the National Centre for Spine Disorders, Budapest Logos
Chloe Techens, Spinner Fellow with the University of Bologna and the National Centre for Spine Disorders, Budapest Logos

Integration of clinical experience and in vitro biomechanical testing to improve spinal augmentation.

Nationality: French

Recruiting institution:

Academic institution:

Clinical institution: 

Chlo茅 graduated in Mechanics of Materials and Processes from the French engineering school Centrale Nantes. Chlo茅 oriented her knowledge towards medical applications with a MSc in Medical Engineering at KTH in Sweden.

She specialised in Biomechanics. Her research field covers the design and validation of orthopaedic devices as well as the multi-scale mechanical characterisation of biological tissues. Familiar with in-vitro experimentation and the clinical environment, she firstly studied the TrapezoMetacarpal joint.

As part of the Spinner programme, she focuses on in vitro biomechanical testing of the surgically augmented spine to explain failure mechanisms after vertebroplasty or discoplasty. The assessment of the clinical problems related to those surgeries will be also conducted at the National Centre for Spinal Disorders in Hungary based on medical records and image analysis. The research will focus on both the improved vertebral segment and the adjacent ones.

Files

Public summary of ESR3鈥檚 first year report (PDF, 511KB)

ESR3鈥檚 mid term presentation (PDF, 1.05MB)

ESR3's Final Spinner Event Presentation (PDF, 1.77MB)

Conference presentations

C Techens, M Palanca, M L Ruspi, L Cristofolini (2019), 鈥Evaluation of stabilisation following treatment of degenerated intervertebral discs with discoplasty鈥 (PDF, 328KB). , Vienna, AT, 7-10 July 2019.

C Techens, M Palanca, M L Ruspi, L Cristofolini (2019), 鈥In vitro evaluation of degenerated intervertebral disc stability following treatment with discoplasty鈥 (PDF, 411KB). , Bologna, IT, 30 September 鈥 1 October 2019.

C Techens, S Montanari, F Bereczki, P E Eltes, A Lazary, L Cristofolini (2021), "Evaluation of spine stability following treatment of degenerated intervertebral discs with discoplasty" (PDF, 96KB). , Budapest, HU, 9 April 2021.

C Techens, S Montanari, F Bereczki, P E Eltes, A Lazary, L Cristofolini (2021) 鈥Evaluation of spine stability following treatment of degenerated intervertebral discs with discoplasty鈥 (PDF, 785KB). , Milan, IT, 11-14 July 2021.

S Montanari, C Techens, L Cristofolini (2021) 鈥Biomechanical impact of intervertebral disc simulated damage鈥 (PDF, 602KB). , Milan, 11-14 July 2021.

C Techens, S Montanari, F Bereczki, P E Eltes, A Lazary, L Cristofolini (2021), "Evaluation of the impact on spine biomechanics of percutaneous cement discoplasty procedure as a treatment for degenerated discs" (PDF, 147KB). , 葫芦影业, UK, 6-7 September 2021.

C Techens, S Montanari, F Bereczki, P E Eltes, A Lazary, L Cristofolini, (2021)  "Biomechanical evidence supports a new minimally invasive surgical treatment of advanced disc degeneration in elderly" (Invited Talk), , Budapest, HU, 15-18 September 2021.

C Techens, S Montanari, P Eltes, A Lazary, L Cristofolini (2021), "". , Vienna, AT, 6-7 October 2021.

C Techens, S Montanari, F Bereczki, P E Eltes, A Lazary, L Cristofolini (2021), "Spine stability after treatment of degenerated intervertebral discs with percutaneous cement discoplasty". , Paris, FR, 3-6 November 2021.

Journal publications

C Techens, M Palanca, P E 脡ltes, 脕 Laz谩ry, L Cristofolini, (2020), 鈥溾, Medical Engineering and Physics, 8, pp 51-59.

P E Eltes, L Kiss, F Bereczki, Z Szoverfi, C Techens, G Jakab, B Hajnal, P P Varga, A Lazary, (2021) 鈥溾, Journal of Orthopaedic Translation, 28, pp131-139.

C Techens, S Montanari, P Eltes, A Lazary, L Cristofolini (2021), "". Brain and Spine, Volume 1, Supplement 1, 2021, 10079.

C Techens, P E Eltes, A Lazary, L Cristofolini (2022), "". Frontiers in Surgery, 9, 902831.

PhD Thesis

(2022)


Spinner fellow ESR4: Jennifer Fayad

Jennifer Fayad, Spinner Fellow with the University of Bologna and the National Centre for Spine Disorders, Budapest Logos
Jennifer Fayad, Spinner Fellow with the University of Bologna and the National Centre for Spine Disorders, Budapest Logos

Sagittal stability: movement analysis before and patient motion after spinal treatments.

Nationality: Lebanese

Recruiting institution:

Academic institution:

Clinical institution: 

Jennifer graduated with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Biology and a minor in Chemistry from the Lebanese American University and later pursued an MSc in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Surrey, UK.

Her main research focus was on motion analysis using optoelectronic techniques and the biomechanics of the spine. In particular, the analysis of changes in spinal posture between younger and older adults.

As part of the Spinner training network, her project focuses on the in vivo and in vitro methods to assess spinal stability. The in vivo clinical characterisations of the spine would be assessed by motion analysis and imaging techniques at the National Centre for Spinal Disorders in Budapest. While the in vivo assessment would allow for the mechanical characterisation of spine repair treatments to explain proximal joint kyphosis.

Files

Public summary of ESR4鈥檚 first year report (PDF, 322KB)

ESR4's mid term presentation (PDF, 855KB)

ESR4's Final Spinner Event Presentation (PDF, 4,677KB)

Video from ESR4's mid term presentation
Video from ESR4's mid term presentation

Conference presentations

J Fayad, R Stagni, P Eltes, P P Varga, L Cristofolini, A Lazary, (2019), 鈥Clinical gait analysis after sacrectomy using the closed loop reconstruction technique: a case report鈥 (PDF, 486KB). , Bologna, IT, 30 September - 1 October 2019.

J Fayad, P Eltes, A Lazary, G Sz艖ke, T Terebessy, L Cristofolini, R Stagni (2021), "Quantification of multi-segmental spine kinematics: The reliability and outcomes of a new protocol" (PDF, 127KB) , Budapest, HU, 9 April 2021.

J Fayad, P Eltes, G Sz艖ke, T Terebessy, L Cristofolini, R Stagni (2021), 鈥Quantification of multi-segmental spine kinematics: the reliability and outcomes of a new protocol鈥 (PDF, 303KB). , Milan, 11 - 14 July 2021.

J Fayad, P Eltes, A Lazary, G Sz艖ke, T Terebessy, L Cristofolini, R Stagni (2021), 鈥Quantification of multi-segmental spine kinematics: The reliability and Outcomes of a new protocol鈥 (PDF, 113KB). , 葫芦影业, 6-7 September 2021.

J Fayad, M Turbucz, B Hajnal, F Bereczki, M Bartos, A Bank, A Lazary, P E Eltes (2021), "Working together: surgeon and engineer for the patient-specific treatment of complicated spinal deformities鈥 (Invited Talk)  , Budapest, HU, 15-18 September 2021.

J Fayad, M Turbucz, P E Eltes, L Kiss, P P Varga, A Lazary (2021), "Clinical Gait Analysis and Mapping of the Bony Fusion following Sacrectomy: A Case Report" (PDF, 15KB). , Paris, FR, 3-6 November 2021.

Journal publications

J Fayad, M Turbucz, B Hajnal, F Bereczki, M Bartos, A Bank, A Lazary, P E Eltes (2021), 鈥溾, Frontiers in Surgery, 8, pp 157.

P E Eltes, M Turbucz, J Fayad, F Bereczki, G Sz艖ke, T Terebessy, D Lacroix, P P Varga, A Lazary (2022), 鈥溾, Frontiers in Surgery, 8.

J Fayad, P E Eltes, A Lazary, L Cristofolini, R Stagni (2022), "", BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 23, 1080.

B Hajnal, P E Eltes, F Bereczki, M Turbucz, J Fayad, A J Pokorni, A Lazary (2022), "", Scientific Reports, 12, 20382.

PhD Thesis

 (2022)


Spinner fellow ESR5: Marco Sensale

Marco Sensale with Ansys and 葫芦影业 Logos
Marco Sensale with Ansys and 葫芦影业 Logos

Modelling spinal surgical procedures.

Nationality: Italian

Recruiting institution:

Academic institution: 葫芦影业

Industrial institution: 

Marco's aim is to deliver highly efficient computational models of spinal surgeries to challenge the current clinical practice.

Marco graduated in Biomedical Engineering with a major in Biomechanics at the Politecnico di Torino, Turin (Italy). His dissertation thesis focused on an interdisciplinary project about uncertainty quantification of the biomechanics of soft tissues as keloid/skin composite. For this project, he worked mainly at the University of Luxembourg. Before, he participated in an Erasmus+ period in France, where he also did an R&D internship at FEMTO-ST, Besan莽on (France).

Marco is now back in France working at ANSYS Lyon and pursuing his studies as a postgraduate at the University of 葫芦影业 (UK). He applied for a position in Spinner because he wanted to develop research skills in a company-related environment.

He is led by the conviction that a synergy between universities and companies could exploit current advancements and future achievements of biomedical research to make a breakthrough in surgical tools for the third millennium operating room.

Files

Public summary of ESR5鈥檚 first year report (PDF, 239KB)

ESR5's mid term presentation (PDF, 1.6MB)

ESR5's Final Spinner Event Presentation (PDF, 1.8 MB)

Video from ESR5's mid term presentation
Video from ESR5's mid term presentation
Video from ESR5's mid term presentation
Video from ESR5's mid term presentation
Video from ESR5's mid term presentation

Conference presentations

M Sensale, T Vendeuvre, C Schilling, T Grupp, M Rochette, E Dall鈥橝ra, (2020), 鈥Sensitivity analyses for subject-specific finite element models of spine fixation鈥 (PDF, 181KB). , Paris, 26 - 28 August 2020.

M Sensale, L Geronzi, M E Biancolini, T Vendeuvre, M Rochette, E Dall鈥橝ra, 鈥Application of reduced order modelling techniques for stress analysis in spine fixation鈥 (PDF, 192KB). , Milan, 11 - 14 July 2021.

M Sensale, T Vendeuvre, A Germeneau, C Grivot, E Dall鈥橝ra, M Rochette, 鈥Prediction of the shape of human lumbar vertebrae from adjacent ones by singular values decomposition鈥 (PDF, 179KB). , Stockholm, 25 - 29 July 2021.

M Sensale, T Vendeuvre, A Germaneau, C Grivot, M Rochette, E Dall鈥橝ra, 鈥Prediction of the pre-fracture shape of the L1 vertebral body from adjacent vertebrae鈥 (PDF, 106KB). , 葫芦影业, 6-7 September 2021.

Grey literature

M Biancolini, M Sensale, (2019), 鈥溾, Robotics and Automation, Web, 30 October 2019.

M Biancolini, M Sensale, (2020), 鈥溾, Design News, Web, 24 January 2020.

Journal publications

M Sensale, T Vendeuvre, C Schilling, T Grupp, M Rochette, E Dall鈥橝ra (2021), 鈥溾, Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology.

M Sensale, T Vendeuvre, A Germaneau, C Grivot, M Rochette, E Dall'Ara (2023), "", Medical Image Analysis, 87, 102827. 
 

PhD Thesis

 (2021)

Full thesis now available.


Spinner fellow ESR6: Cameron James

Cameron James, Spinner Fellow with Adagos and 葫芦影业 Logos
Cameron James, Spinner Fellow with Adagos and 葫芦影业 Logos

Statistical shape modelling and reduced order modelling techniques for patient-specific models.

Nationality: British

Recruiting institution:

Academic institution: 葫芦影业

Industrial institution: 

Cameron graduated from the University of 葫芦影业 in 2018 with an MEng in Bioengineering, specialising in medical devices and systems. His main research interests include the medical applications of deep learning and control systems.

During his time in 葫芦影业, Cameron was extremely enthusiastic about his subject and could often be found applying his bioengineering knowledge outside of the classroom, both as volunteer at ReMap and as a project leader in 葫芦影业 Bionics Society.

As a Spinner fellow, Cameron is based at ADAGOS, France. His research focuses on the development of reduced-order, patient-specific modelling techniques for real-time surgical simulation. Alongside his work at ADAGOS, Cameron is continuing his studies at the University of 葫芦影业 as a PhD student in the ACSE department.

Files

Public summary of ESR6鈥檚 first year report (PDF, 491KB)

ESR6's mid term presentation (PDF, 1.01MB)

Conference presentations

C James, M Masmoudi, K Bastova, L Guo, 鈥Stress analysis of a vertebra using artificial neural networks and mesh morphing鈥 (PDF, 563KB). , Milan, 11 - 14 July 2021.

C A James, M Masmoudi, K Bashtova, L Guo, 鈥A Deep Learning Approach for Stress Analysis of Vertebrae鈥 (PDF, 393KB). , 葫芦影业, 6-7 September 2021.

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