
“We haven't got the money, so we'll have to think.” Inspired by Ernest Rutherford’s famous quote; I developed Fusion Motion Capture; a network of 16 miniature wearable devices to analyse and model the biomechanics of alpine ski racing. My research made it possible to remotely monitor and provide feedback about athletes' performances in challenging alpine environments. My PhD outputs included six publications (cited over 300 times), a museum exhibition and being named the 2008 MacDiarmid New Zealand Young Scientist of the Year for Future Science and Technology.
A Neuroscientist and Engineer, my vanguard expertise developing wearable technology and smart textiles for gait-related motor impairment is recognised by 13 prizes, 2 research medals, 11 grants, 2 fellowships. I am excited about collaborating with and engaging patients, students, researchers, industry partners and key stakeholders who share a common vision “to transform healthcare through technological innovation”. I am motivated by solving problems at the nexus of engineering and medicine. I established and lead the new neurorehabilitation theme at UNSW. My team is now accepting motivated research students for a variety of projects. Please reach out for more information, I am more than happy to have a friendly chat over coffee!
Areas of research interest include:
I have a strong focus on translation of my teams research outcomes. In 2020, I founded Walking Tall Health, a commercial organisation to accelerate the health benefits my ground breaking non-invasive treatments for motor impairment. I have led Walking Tall Health through key staff appointments, seed funding and founding partnerships with UNSW, Neuroscience Research Australia and The George Institute for Global Health. Research highlights include the New Zealand Young Scientist of the Year (for Future Science and Technology), an Innovation Award from Fédération Int. de Ski, and the Yamaguichi Medal for Gait and Kinesiology, and 100+ publications cited over 1,800 times.
Please see https://research.unsw.edu.au/people/dr-matthew-andrew-brodie for more information including videos about current projects and our recent research advances.
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I have over 10-years’ experience conceiving new research ideas, developing technology-based interventions, and leading clinical studies. His multi-disciplinary team includes 1 postdoc physiotherapist, 3 clinical staff, 3 engineers, 2 PhD, and 5 master’s students. Research in neuroscience and engineering is demonstrated by 122 works [cited 1,800+ times]. Key publications and impact across neuroscience and engineering include:
This seminal work pioneered the use of affordable wearable technology in human movement science. It was also a lot of fun. See the image of The Blue Monster, my mobile PhD laboratory below.
For this top tier journal paper, I led the development of the first use of a digital gait biomarker as the primary outcome of a phase II drug trial. My analysis showed cholinesterase inhibitors can stabilise gait leading to 45% less falls. My PhD student was the first author. The paper immediately changed Parkinson's disease management as evidenced by positive review [Lancet Neurology 15(3)] and international media [Common drug is a real breakthrough… UK Express Jan-2016]. This paved the way for more efficient drug discovery by using digital endpoints.
I was the first to demonstrate that daily life and laboratory gaits are different. My algorithms have been used by Philips in their Senior Mobility Monitor and other research groups worldwide.
This paper presents my breakthrough analytics engine that analyses thousands of walks during daily life over 8-weeks for superior accuracy. It challenged the accepted reliance on expensive laboratory based gait assessments. Awarded the NeuRA Publication Prize 2016.
I showed that remote daily life gait assessments were better than laboratory assessments for predicting falls. Outcomes have been incorporated into products by industry partners and used by other groups in phase II & III clinical trials [e.g. iStoppFalls EU consortium (ICT-7-5.4-287361) & Rivastigmine phase 3 (NIHR16/31/13)]. Awarded an Asia-Pacific Biomechanics Medal.
In response to Nature 547, 336–339 (2017), my paper showed how unconscious bias in unvalidated smartphone apps leads to systematic under-counting of the true daily activity in obese people, females, and different cultures resulting in skewed research results.
My research outcomes have also been translated several commercial partners, leading to global uptake. Now accepting motivated research students for a variety of projects. I am more than happy to have a friendly chat over coffee!
BIOM9541 Mechanics of the Human Body
https://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au/undergraduate/courses/2021/BIOM9541/
BIOM9541 covers in depth the methods used in the analysis of the biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system. I cover methods to analyse body segment and joint kinematics, joint kinetics, work and power, muscle forces and associated energy cost. We look at advanced uses for wearable technology. Applications of biomechanics in clinical, occupational and recreational areas will be presented. Student highlights include using NeuRA's (a five minute walk from UNSW) state-of-the-art motion capture facility. I look forward to your participation in the T3 BIOM9541 course.
Health Informatics (TBC for 2022)