The Developmental Biomechanics Group, led by Prof Niamh Nowlan, conducts research in three key areas: paediatric orthopaedics; how mechanical loading affects prenatal and postnatal skeletal development; and fetal movement monitoring.
We are a diverse group of engineers, biologists and clinicians from seven different countries.
Our core mission is to advance understanding in prenatal and postnatal skeletal development through innovative biomedical engineering research. By integrating biomechanics, imaging, and state-of-the-art experimental techniques, we seek to understand the role of mechanical forces — from fetal movement to early childhood activity — in healthy musculoskeletal growth. We also investigate how processes active during skeletal growth and maturation contribute to health in later life. We are committed to translating our discoveries into diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies that support early intervention, personalised care, and improved lifelong mobility for children.
Based on our innovations in prenatal health, we have developed a wearable tracker for fetal movements that we believe will be a game-changer for a more positive pregnancy experience for women around the world.
We are located in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering and the Conway Institute in University College Dublin (Ireland).
Developmental Biomechanics 