Biography
Professor Amy Zavatsky studied Bioengineering as an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania. Having received a Thouron Award for postgraduate study in the UK, she enrolled at the University of Oxford (Hertford College) and completed a doctorate in the area of orthopaedic biomechanics. She subsequently held a post-doctoral research appointment in Oxford University's Department of Engineering Science, alongside a Junior Research Fellowship and Lecturership in Engineering at St Hilda's College. She is currently a Reader in Engineering Science and a Fellow and Tutor in Engineering at St Edmund Hall.
Awards and Prizes
- University of Oxford, Department of Engineering Science, Teaching Awards (Bronze – for
supervision and student support, 2022; Silver – for excellent lecture delivery and tutorial teaching, 2021) - University of Oxford Teaching Award (for sustained excellence in the teaching of biomechanics
and for contributions to establishing the MSc in Biomedical Engineering, 2008) - Philip Leverhulme Prize (The Leverhulme Trust UK, 2003)
- Institution of Mechanical Engineers Thomas Stephen Prize (best research paper based on
a higher degree thesis in the area of engineering in medicine, 1993) - Wellcome Trust (UK) Prize Studentship (1991-93)
- Thouron Award (British-American Student Exchange Fellowship, 1989-91)
Other Roles
- Junior Proctor, University of Oxford (2012-13)
- Associate Head of Department (Graduates) & Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Engineering Science (2016-17)
- Convener, Biomedical Engineering Panel (2004-09)
- Acting Director, M.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering (2006-07)
- Tutor for Undergraduates, St Edmund Hall (2020-23)
Research Interests
- Biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system
- Motion and loading of the joints at the hip, knee, ankle, and foot
- Gait analysis and motion capture for research and clinical use
Current Projects
Multi-segment foot modelling
This project aims to develop a more advanced multi-segment foot model that incorporates the motion of the forefoot in a clinically useful and practical way. Applications include gait analysis and design of foot prosthetics and is carried out in collaboration with the Oxford Gait Laboratory at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Oxford University Hospitals.
Data visualization for clinical gait analysis
The aim of this project is to use recent advances in the theory and practice of data visualization to reduce the cognitive load and facilitate the treatment decisions of those involved in clinical gait analysis and to improve the experience of students learning about clinical gait analysis.
Research Groups
Recent publications
OpenOFM: an open-source implementation of the multi-segment Oxford Foot Model
Dixon P, Drew E, McBride S, Harrington M, Stebbins J et al. (2025), Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering
BibTeX
@article{openofmanopenso-2025/2,
title={OpenOFM: an open-source implementation of the multi-segment Oxford Foot Model},
author={Dixon P, Drew E, McBride S, Harrington M, Stebbins J et al.},
journal={Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering},
publisher={Taylor & Francis},
year = "2025"
}
Multi-criteria decision analysis for aiding glyph design
Hsieh H-P, Zavatsky A & Chen M (2025), IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics
BibTeX
@article{multicriteriade-2025/1,
title={Multi-criteria decision analysis for aiding glyph design},
author={Hsieh H-P, Zavatsky A & Chen M},
journal={IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics},
publisher={IEEE},
year = "2025"
}
Medio-lateral forefoot segmentation for clinical gait analysis based on metatarsal subunit rigidity and angular motion
Zavatsky A, Chan P-H & Stebbins J (2024), Gait & Posture, 113, 263-264
BibTeX
@article{mediolateralfor-2024/9,
title={Medio-lateral forefoot segmentation for clinical gait analysis based on metatarsal subunit rigidity and angular motion},
author={Zavatsky A, Chan P-H & Stebbins J},
journal={Gait & Posture},
volume={113},
pages={263-264},
publisher={Elsevier},
year = "2024"
}
Glyph visualisation of physical examination measurements for clinical gait analysis to aid cognitive efficiency
Hsieh H-P, Chen M, Harrington M, Lewis A & Zavatsky A (2024), Gait & Posture, 113, 264-265
BibTeX
@article{glyphvisualisat-2024/9,
title={Glyph visualisation of physical examination measurements for clinical gait analysis to aid cognitive efficiency},
author={Hsieh H-P, Chen M, Harrington M, Lewis A & Zavatsky A},
journal={Gait & Posture},
volume={113},
pages={264-265},
publisher={Elsevier},
year = "2024"
}
OpenOFM: an open-source implementation of the multi-segment Oxford Foot Model
Dixon P, Drew E, McBride S, Cheng S, Harrington M et al. (2023), Gait & Posture, 106, s49-s50
BibTeX
@article{openofmanopenso-2023/9,
title={OpenOFM: an open-source implementation of the multi-segment Oxford Foot Model},
author={Dixon P, Drew E, McBride S, Cheng S, Harrington M et al.},
journal={Gait & Posture},
volume={106},
pages={s49-s50},
publisher={Elsevier},
year = "2023"
}
Using surface markers to describe the kinematics of the medial longitudinal arch
Uhan J, Kothari A, Zavatsky A & Stebbins J (2023), Gait and Posture, 102, 118-124
BibTeX
@article{usingsurfacemar-2023/3,
title={Using surface markers to describe the kinematics of the medial longitudinal arch},
author={Uhan J, Kothari A, Zavatsky A & Stebbins J},
journal={Gait and Posture},
volume={102},
pages={118-124},
publisher={Elsevier},
year = "2023"
}
Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis for Aiding Glyph Design
Hsieh H-P, Zavatsky A & Chen M (2023)
BibTeX
@misc{multicriteriade-2023/3,
title={Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis for Aiding Glyph Design},
author={Hsieh H-P, Zavatsky A & Chen M},
year = "2023"
}
A Sensor Placement Benchmarking Method With Principal Component Analysis
Zhong F, He L, Zavatsky A & Maiolino P (2023), IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, 72, 1-9
BibTeX
@article{asensorplacemen-2023/1,
title={A Sensor Placement Benchmarking Method With Principal Component Analysis},
author={Zhong F, He L, Zavatsky A & Maiolino P},
journal={IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement},
volume={72},
pages={1-9},
publisher={Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)},
year = "2023"
}
A Sensor Placement Benchmarking Method With Principal Component Analysis
Zhong F, He L, Zavatsky A & Maiolino P (2023), IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INSTRUMENTATION AND MEASUREMENT, 72
BibTeX
@article{asensorplacemen-2023/,
title={A Sensor Placement Benchmarking Method With Principal Component Analysis},
author={Zhong F, He L, Zavatsky A & Maiolino P},
journal={IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INSTRUMENTATION AND MEASUREMENT},
volume={72},
number={ARTN 4011009},
year = "2023"
}
Efficacy of quantifying marker-cluster rigidity in a multi-segment foot model: a Monte-Carlo based global sensitivity analysis and regression model
Chan P-H, Stebbins J & Zavatsky A (2021), Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, 25(3), 308-319
BibTeX
@article{efficacyofquant-2021/7,
title={Efficacy of quantifying marker-cluster rigidity in a multi-segment foot model: a Monte-Carlo based global sensitivity analysis and regression model},
author={Chan P-H, Stebbins J & Zavatsky A},
journal={Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering},
volume={25},
pages={308-319},
publisher={Taylor and Francis},
year = "2021"
}
Teaching
Prof Zavatsky teaches undergraduate courses in mechanical, civil, and biomedical engineering.
DPhil Opportunities
If you have an interest in the biomechanics of the lower limb and a strong background in mechanical or biomedical engineering or a related technical area and would like to apply for to Oxford for postgraduate study at the master’s or doctoral level, then please contact me to discuss possible projects and funding sources.
