Academic

Academic background, experience, publications, and achievements

Current Position/Affiliation: Freelance

Academic CV

Skills and Services

Programming | Numerical Simulation | Biomedical Engineering | Medical Image Analysis | Photogrammetry | Scientific Writing | Proofreading & Editing.


About Me

I hold a PhD in Orthopaedic Engineering from the University of Edinburgh UK, and a BEng (honours) degree in Mechanical Engineering (specialising in biomedical engineering) from Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology Ireland.

Working at the interface between engineering and medicine, I employ problem solving and technical engineering skills to answer clinically relevant questions. While my work to date has spanned the fields of cardiovascular biomechanics, orthopaedic engineering and the role of 3D printing in visualisation/presurgical planning, I am constantly on the look out for new areas within which to apply my skills and knowledge.

I am currently improving my software and web development skills through independent study and online learning, with the goal of moving into a developer role.

Specialist Domain Specific Skills

  • Finite element mesh generation from medical imaging data (CT/MRI).
  • Patient specific modelling.
  • Orthopaedic implant design.
  • Design and manufacture of in vitro test apparatus.
  • Musculoskeletal and Cardiovascular biomechanics.
  • Scripting, and high performance computing.
  • 3D model creation and visualisation in CAD.
  • Advanced manufacturing processes (manual/CNC machining/3D printing).
Orthofem Example MMI Example Cardiofem Example

Teaching Experience

  • Teaching and grading undergraduate and postgraduate course work and projects in modules such as Finite element analysis theory and practical (using Abaqus), AutoCAD/ProgeCAD, Civil Engineering 1 projects.
  • Supervision and training of PhD, MEng/MSc, BEng students, and Visiting Researchers in orthopaedic and cardiovascular biomechanics research groups.

Other Academic Experience

  • Referee/Reviewer: Journal of Orthopaedic Research, Journal of Biomechanics, International Journal for Numerical Methods in Biomedical Engineering, PLOS ONE, and Medical Engineering & Physics.
  • Authored and co-authored research papers published in peer-reviewed journals.
  • Presented research findings at national and international conferences.
  • Collaborated on research projects with Engineers, Surgeons, and Industrial Partners.
  • Liaised with external software and hardware vendors for project completion.

Achievements

  • Small project grant "3D imaging and modelling of atherosclerosis" BHF CoRE funding (2015).
  • International Travel Grant from The Royal Academy of Engineers (RAEng) to attend and present research at Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering 2010, Valencia, Spain.
  • Full scholarship from the University of Edinburgh to pursue a PhD in Orthopaedic Engineering 2008.

Awards

  • Poster prize in "Breaking new technical ground" at the Centre for In Vivo Imaging Science Annual Scientific Meeting, Edinburgh, UK (2013).
  • Celestica Award for highest grades in Mechanical Engineering, GMIT Galway (2006).
  • Third in regional finals of the Young Engineer Competition Ireland (2004).

Journal Publications (Peer-Reviewed)

Selected peer-reviewed journal publications. For a full list, download here.

  • S. Xie, N. Conlisk, D. Hamilton, C. Scott, R. Burnett, P. Pankaj, A finite element analysis of tibial tritanium cones without stems in varying bone defects. Knee. 2020; 27(3):656-666. doi: 10.1016/j.knee.2020.02.019.
  • M. Chung, N. Radacsi, C. Robert, E. D. McCarthy, A. Callanan, N. Conlisk, P. R. Hoskins, V. Koutsos, "On the optimization of low-cost FDM 3D printers for accurate replication of patient-specific abdominal aortic aneurysm geometry", 3D Printing in Medicine (2018), 4, 1.
  • N. Conlisk, R. Forsythe, L. Hollis, B.J. Doyle, O. Mc Bride, J. M. J. Robinson, C. Wang, C.D. Gray, S.I.K. Semple, T. MacGillivray, E.J.R. van Beek , D.E. Newby, and P.R. Hoskins. "Exploring the biological and mechanical properties of abdominal aortic aneurysms using USPIO MRI and peak tissue stress: a combined clinical and finite element study", Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research. 2017; 10(5): 489 – 498. doi: 10.1007/s12265-017-9766-9
  • N. Conlisk, C.R. Howie, and P. Pankaj. "Quantification of Interfacial Motions Following Primary and Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty", J. Orthop. Res. (2017). doi:10.1002/jor.23653.
  • N. Conlisk, C.R. Howie, and P. Pankaj. "Computational Modelling of Motion at the Bone-Implant Interface after Total Knee Arthroplasty: The Role of Implant Design and Surgical Fit", The Knee (2017). doi: 10.1016/j.knee.2017.07.003
  • N. Conlisk, C.R. Howie, and P. Pankaj. "On the Optimum Stem Length for Mitigation of Periprosthetic Fracture Risk Following Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Finite Element Study", Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc (2016). doi:10.1007/s00167-016-4367-8
  • L. Hollis, N. Conlisk, L. Thomas-Seale, N. Roberts, P. Pankaj, and P.R. Hoskins. "Computational Simulations of MR Elastography in Idealised Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms", Biomed. Phys. Eng. Express., 2016; 2 045016. doi: 10.1088/2057-1976/2/4/045016
  • N. Conlisk, C.R. Howie, and P. Pankaj. "An Efficient Method to Capture the Impact of Total Knee Replacement on a Variety of Simulated Patient Types: A Finite Element Study", Med Eng & Phys., 2016; 38(9): 959 – 968. doi: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2016.06.014
  • N. Conlisk, A.J. Geers, O. McBride, D.E. Newby, and P.R. Hoskins. "Patient-Specific Modelling of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: The Influence of Wall Thickness on Predicted Clinical Outcomes", Med Eng & Phys., 2016; 38(6): 526 – 537. doi: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2016.03.003
  • N. Conlisk, C.R. Howie, and P. Pankaj. "The role of complex clinical scenarios in the failure of modular components following total knee arthroplasty: A finite element study", J. Orthop. Res., 2015; 33: 1134–1141. doi: 10.1002/jor.22894
  • N. Conlisk, H. Gray, P. Pankaj and C.R. Howie. "The influence of stem length and fixation on initial femoral component stability in revision total knee replacement", Bone Joint Res., 2012; 1:281-288. doi: 10.1302/2046-3758.111.2000107
  • Partridge R, N. Conlisk, Davies JA. "In-lab three-dimensional printing: An inexpensive tool for experimentation and visualization for the field of organogenesis", Organogenesis. 2012; 8(1):12-1. doi: 10.4161/org.20173