Pastures new for Calum!

Mr Calum MacDonald is leaving his position as Laboratory Technician at the Institute of Motion Analysis & Research (IMAR) to further his education at Glasgow Caledonian University, where he will be studying MSc Physiotherapy.

During his two-year period working at IMAR Calum has been co-author on two research papers published in peer-reviewed journals:

• A pilot biomechanical assessment of curling deliveries: is toe sliding more likely to cause knee injury than flatfoot sliding? BMJ Open Sports Medicine

• Establishing state of motion through two-dimensional foot and shoe print analysis: a pilot study. Forensic Science International

Calum was presented with some gifts from his TORT colleagues and friends at a small informal presentation on Friday 19 January, 2018.

Left: Research project support in the sports lab at IMAR; Centre: Receiving some leaving presents from TORT staff; Right: Staff bid a fond farewell 

Calum graduated from Abertay University in 2015 where he studied sport and exercise science. Whilst studying he developed a keen interest in biomechanics and in his 3rd year set up a work placement here at IMAR at the TORT Centre working under the guidance of Dr Graham Arnold. The placement lasted for his 3rd and 4th years of university and during his time here at IMAR he was trained in all aspects of the lab environment and its systems, which has allowed him to subsequently aid students in data collection and processing. Upon graduating Calum was instantly offered a job here at IMAR as a laboratory technician where he teaches students how to use the equipment, supervises the lab/equipment, and supports lab-based research projects.

Professor Rami Abboud, Director of Institute of Motion Analysis & Research, stated:

“Calum has been an absolute breath of fresh air at the TORT Centre. His skills in all aspects of the gait, motion and sports labs have been invaluable to so many research projects carried out at IMAR. His sense of humour and the rapport he builds with students from many countries and backgrounds has fostered an excellent learning environment within the labs. He is now well and truly a part of the TORT ‘family’ and I think I can speak for everybody here when I wish him every success with his studies and future career. I am in no doubt that the expertise he has gained whilst at IMAR will benefit him greatly in the future.”

The course is MSc Physiotherapy (pre-registration) at Glasgow Caledonian university and last 2 years from Jan 2018 to Jan 2020. It’s a fast track course for people who have an undergraduate degree in a health related science and at the end of the course I’ll be a chartered physiotherapist registered with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) which allows me to work for the NHS or as a physio privately.

Left: Calum analysing motion analysis data; Right: Calum with Professor Rami Abboud at Graduation last year