Overview
Background
Taylor Dick is a Senior Lecturer in The School of Biomedical Sciences. She was awarded her PhD in 2016 from Simon Fraser University (Vancouver, Canada). Her PhD research, in partnership with the Concord Field Station at Harvard University, focused on developing an experimental and modelling framework to predict in vivo motor function using advanced image-driven musculoskeletal models. Following this, she conducted a Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering at North Carolina State University- The University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill) where her research focused on using wearable assistive devices (e.g., exoskeletons and prosthetics) to augment or restore movement-with a particular focus on how devices influence lower limb biomechanics and neuromuscular function. She has implemented innovative imaging approaches to discover how humans recover from unexpected perturbations during movement, which provided critical biological insight for the design of robotic devices capable of assisting movement in real-world environments.
Taylors research team have developed a uniquely integrative and highly translational approach to studying neuromuscular function that combines motion analysis, advanced tissue imaging, and muscuoloskeletal modelling to answer fundamental questions about how movement underpins evolution, health, and disease. Her current research is focused on.
- Exploring the mechanisms of neuromuscular function using both experimental and modelling approaches
- Understanding how the anatomy and biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system adapt to challenges such as size, age, and disease. To do this, her team has developed quantitative imaging technologies to visualize and interrogate the mechanisms that underpin motor function in humans and other animals
- Designing and applying wearable assistive technologies, such as exoskeletons and prosthetics, to enhance performance in healthy individuals or to restore mobility in those with deficits.
Taylor has established herself internationally as an emerging leader in biomechanics research. This reputation is supported by prestigious awards, invited talks and review papers, and media attention. Her research has been funded through competitive grant schemes and industry partnerships, with total research support exceeding $3.6 million. Her contributions to research and mentorship have been recognized with a 2024 Queensland Tall Poppy Award, 2024 International Union of Physiologists Junior Faculty Award; 2024 International Society of Electrophysiology and Kinesiology Kevin P. Granata Award, and the 2021 International Society of Biomechanics Jaquelin Perry Emerging Scientist Award. Taylor has been nominated (2020 and 2021) for the Faculty of Medicine Rising Star of the Year Award. Taylor is an elected Executive Council member of the International Society of Biomechanics (ISB) and the elected Chairperson of the Comparative Neuromuscular Biomechanics Technical group. She is a passionate promotor of STEM for young girls—having co-developed the led a government-funded nationwide program to boost girls’ engagement in STEM, BRInC https://www.canberra.edu.au/about-uc/faculties/health/brinc
She currently advises 12 PhD candidates, 1 Master’s student, and 5 Honours students. She has successfully advised 5 PhD, 2 Master’s and 9 Honours students to completion since commencing her faculty position at UQ in 2017.
For more information about her program of research, visit her lab website: https://biomedical-sciences.uq.edu.au/research/groups/neuromuscular-biomechanics
Availability
- Dr Taylor Dick is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, Simon Fraser University
Research interests
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Muscle and tendon mechanics
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Biomechanics
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Musculoskeletal imaging
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Comparative biomechanics
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Neuromuscular health
Research impacts
The outcomes from my groups research will advance our understanding of neuromotor and musculoskeletal function to (1) augment healthy locomotor performance; (2) treat and prevent movement impairments that result from age, obesity, or neuromotor disease and (3) inform the design of biologically-inspired assistive wearable robotic devices.
Works
Search Professor Taylor Dick’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Journal Article
Predictive musculoskeletal simulations reveal the mechanistic link between speed, posture and energetics among extant mammals
Clemente, Christofer J., De Groote, Friedl and Dick, Taylor J. M. (2024). Predictive musculoskeletal simulations reveal the mechanistic link between speed, posture and energetics among extant mammals. Nature Communications, 15 (1) 8594. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-52924-z
2024
Journal Article
Rethinking the physiological cross-sectional area of skeletal muscle reveals the mechanical advantage of pennation
Rockenfeller, Robert, Günther, Michael, Clemente, Christofer J. and Dick, Taylor J. M. (2024). Rethinking the physiological cross-sectional area of skeletal muscle reveals the mechanical advantage of pennation. Royal Society Open Science, 11 (9) ARTN 240037. doi: 10.1098/rsos.240037
2024
Journal Article
A 100-day mentoring program leads to positive shifts in girls’ perceptions and attitudes towards biomechanics and related STEM disciplines
Dick, Taylor J.M., Besomi, Manuela, Coltman, Celeste E., Diamond, Laura E., Hall, Michelle, Maharaj, Jayishni, Kean, Crystal O., Barzan, Martina and Mickle, Karen J. (2024). A 100-day mentoring program leads to positive shifts in girls’ perceptions and attitudes towards biomechanics and related STEM disciplines. Journal of Biomechanics, 173 112244, 112244. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2024.112244
2024
Journal Article
Consensus for experimental design in electromyography (CEDE) project: application of EMG to estimate muscle force
Dick, Taylor J. M., Tucker, Kylie, Hug, François, Besomi, Manuela, van Dieën, Jaap H., Enoka, Roger M., Besier, Thor, Carson, Richard G., Clancy, Edward A., Disselhorst-Klug, Catherine, Falla, Deborah, Farina, Dario, Gandevia, Simon, Holobar, Aleš, Kiernan, Matthew C., Lowery, Madeleine, McGill, Kevin, Merletti, Roberto, Perreault, Eric, Rothwell, John C., Søgaard, Karen, Wrigley, Tim and Hodges, Paul W. (2024). Consensus for experimental design in electromyography (CEDE) project: application of EMG to estimate muscle force. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology 102910, 102910. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2024.102910
2024
Journal Article
Effects of passive ankle exoskeletons on neuromuscular function during exaggerated standing sway
Farris, Dominic J., Po, Jemima C. N., Yee, Jordan, Williamson, James L. and Dick, Taylor J. M. (2024). Effects of passive ankle exoskeletons on neuromuscular function during exaggerated standing sway. Royal Society Open Science, 11 (5) 230590, 230590. doi: 10.1098/rsos.230590
2024
Journal Article
Dynamic similarity and the peculiar allometry of maximum running speed
Labonte, David, Bishop, Peter J., Dick, Taylor J. M. and Clemente, Christofer J. (2024). Dynamic similarity and the peculiar allometry of maximum running speed. Nature Communications, 15 (1) 2181, 1-11. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-46269-w
2024
Journal Article
Mild untreated hypercholesterolaemia affects mechanical properties of the Achilles tendon but not gastrocnemius muscle
Coombes, Brooke K, Hanna, Monica, Thompson, Kaelah A., Coppieters, Michel W., Dick, Taylor J.M., Andrade, Ricardo J and Barber, Lee (2024). Mild untreated hypercholesterolaemia affects mechanical properties of the Achilles tendon but not gastrocnemius muscle. Journal of Biomechanics, 166 112048, 112048. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2024.112048
2023
Journal Article
Exploring the impact of passive ankle exoskeletons on lower-limb neuromechanics during walking on sloped surfaces: implications for device design
Williamson, James L., Lichtwark, Glen A. and Dick, Taylor J. M. (2023). Exploring the impact of passive ankle exoskeletons on lower-limb neuromechanics during walking on sloped surfaces: implications for device design. Machines, 11 (12) 1071, 1-13. doi: 10.3390/machines11121071
2023
Journal Article
Muscle research in biomechanics – In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the International Society of Biomechanics
de Brito Fontana, Heiliane, Dick, Taylor J.M., Han, Seong-won and Herzog, Walter (2023). Muscle research in biomechanics – In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the International Society of Biomechanics. Journal of Biomechanics, 161 111740, 111740. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2023.111740
2023
Journal Article
The Biomechanics Research and Innovation Challenge: development, implementation, uptake, and reflections on the inaugural program
Coltman, Celeste E., Barzan, Martina, Besomi, Manuela, Brackley, Victoria, Bousie, Jaquelin A., Choisne, Julie, Diamond, Laura E., Dick, Taylor J. M., D’Souza, Nicole, Fien, Samantha, Fong Yan, Alycia, Gho, Sheridan A., Giraldo-Pedroza, Alexandra, Hutchinson, Laura A., Hutchison, Laura V., Kean, Crystal O., Kirk, Maddison M., Lewis, Amy, Maharaj, Jayishini N., Maher, Nina, Mann, Kerry J., Martin, Suzanne, Mickle, Karen J., Nasseri, Azadeh, Oon, Isobel H., Purdie, Rory, Quinlan, Shayan L., Radcliffe, Ceridwen R., Snodgrass, Suzanne J. ... Hall, Michelle (2023). The Biomechanics Research and Innovation Challenge: development, implementation, uptake, and reflections on the inaugural program. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 40 (2), 155-165. doi: 10.1123/jab.2023-0056
2023
Journal Article
Elastic ankle exoskeletons influence soleus fascicle dynamics during unexpected perturbations
Williamson, James L., Lichtwark, Glen A. and Dick, Taylor J. M. (2023). Elastic ankle exoskeletons influence soleus fascicle dynamics during unexpected perturbations. Journal of Biomechanics, 159 111775, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2023.111775
2023
Journal Article
What good is a measure of muscle length? The how and why of direct measurements of skeletal muscle motion
Roberts, Thomas J. and Dick, Taylor J.M. (2023). What good is a measure of muscle length? The how and why of direct measurements of skeletal muscle motion. Journal of Biomechanics, 157 111709, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2023.111709
2023
Journal Article
A comparison of neural control of the biarticular gastrocnemius muscles between knee flexion and ankle plantar flexion
Hamard, Raphaël, Aeles, Jeroen, Avrillon, Simon, Dick, Taylor J.M. and Hug, François (2023). A comparison of neural control of the biarticular gastrocnemius muscles between knee flexion and ankle plantar flexion. Journal of Applied Physiology, 135 (2), 394-404. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00075.2023
2023
Journal Article
Advances in imaging for assessing the design and mechanics of skeletal muscle in vivo
Dick, Taylor J.M. and Hug, François (2023). Advances in imaging for assessing the design and mechanics of skeletal muscle in vivo. Journal of Biomechanics, 155 111640, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2023.111640
2023
Journal Article
Influence of internal muscle properties on muscle shape change and gearing in the human gastrocnemii
Kelp, Nicole Y., Clemente, Christofer J., Tucker, Kylie, Hug, François, Pinel, Sabrina and Dick, Taylor J.M. (2023). Influence of internal muscle properties on muscle shape change and gearing in the human gastrocnemii. Journal of Applied Physiology, 134 (6), 1520-1529. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00080.2023
2023
Journal Article
How scaling approaches can reveal fundamental principles in physiology and biomechanics
Clemente, Christofer J. and Dick, Taylor J. M. (2023). How scaling approaches can reveal fundamental principles in physiology and biomechanics. Journal of Experimental Biology, 226 (7) 226, 1-12. doi: 10.1242/jeb.245310
2023
Journal Article
The influence of elastic ankle exoskeletons on lower limb mechanical energetics during unexpected perturbations
Williamson, James L., Lichtwark, Glen A., Sawicki, Gregory S. and Dick, Taylor J. M. (2023). The influence of elastic ankle exoskeletons on lower limb mechanical energetics during unexpected perturbations. Royal Society Open Science, 10 (2) 221133, 1-12. doi: 10.1098/rsos.221133
2022
Journal Article
Understanding Australia's unique hopping species: a comparative review of the musculoskeletal system and locomotor biomechanics in Macropodoidea
Thornton, Lauren H., Dick, Taylor J. M., Bennett, Mike B. and Clemente, Christofer J. (2022). Understanding Australia's unique hopping species: a comparative review of the musculoskeletal system and locomotor biomechanics in Macropodoidea. Australian Journal of Zoology, 69 (4), 136-157. doi: 10.1071/ZO21048
2022
Journal Article
Inclusion of image-based in vivo experimental data into the Hill-type muscle model affects the estimation of individual force-sharing strategies during walking
Hamard, Raphaël, Hug, François, Kelp, Nicole Y., Feigean, Romain, Aeles, Jeroen and Dick, Taylor J.M. (2022). Inclusion of image-based in vivo experimental data into the Hill-type muscle model affects the estimation of individual force-sharing strategies during walking. Journal of Biomechanics, 135 111033, 111033. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2022.111033
2022
Journal Article
Scaling of fibre area and fibre glycogen concentration in the hindlimb musculature of monitor lizards: implications for locomotor performance with increasing body size
Cieri, Robert L., Dick, Taylor J. M., Morris, Jeremy S. and Clemente, Christofer J. (2022). Scaling of fibre area and fibre glycogen concentration in the hindlimb musculature of monitor lizards: implications for locomotor performance with increasing body size. The Journal of Experimental Biology, 225 (Supp. 1) jeb243380. doi: 10.1242/jeb.243380
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Taylor Dick is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Investigating the neuromuscular and energetic effects of passive exoskeletons
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Integrating experiments and musculoskeletal simulations to explore non-steady locomotion across scales
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Closed-loop Functional Electrical Stimulation control using real-time estimation of muscle properties
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Antonio Padilha Lanari Bo
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Doctor Philosophy
Quantifying Muscle (A)symmetry in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Kylie Tucker
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Doctor Philosophy
Effects of Virtual Perturbations and Visual Illusions on Gait and Balance
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Antonio Padilha Lanari Bo, Dr Nell Baghaei
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Doctor Philosophy
Can Minimal Footwear Alter Patellofemoral Joint Loading, Lower-Limb Muscle Activation and Biomechanics During Walking in Individuals with Patellofemoral Osteoarthritis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Kylie Tucker, Associate Professor Natalie Collins
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Doctor Philosophy
Insights into the anticipatory and compensatory postural control of children with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Kylie Tucker
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Doctor Philosophy
Redefining digital technology to provide patient centric platform to meet the need of patients with Motor Neuron Disease
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Shyuan Ngo, Dr Rebecca Packer, Associate Professor Frederik Steyn
Completed supervision
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Beyond the steady-state: exploring the influence of passive ankle exoskeletons on the neuromechanics of movement in real-world conditions
Principal Advisor
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Neuromechanical Determinants of Muscle Shape Change and Gearing
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Kylie Tucker
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Movement behaviour and locomotor performance in a small Australian marsupial, the northern brown bandicoot (Isoodon macrourus)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Robbie Wilson
Media
Enquiries
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