Spinner fellows
Meet the Spinner fellows (early stage researchers, ESRs) who are working on PhDs in Biomaterials, Biomechanics and in silico modelling for spine surgery.

In this video the Spinner fellows introduce the motivation and background of their research and the Spinner project.
Spinner fellow ESR1: Denata Syla
Osteoinductive injectable/mouldable bone graft substitute for spine repair.
Nationality: Austrian
Recruiting institution: 鶹Ƶ
Academic institution: 鶹Ƶ
Denata Syla graduated with a Master's degree in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine at the University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien (Vienna, Austria) in which she specialised on biomaterial-based musculoskeletal tissue engineering.
During her studies at the university, she conducted research on the development of a muscle-tendon interface via fibrin scaffolds. Further, Denata worked as an international research fellow on a research project focused on the fabrication of bone-muscle tissue grafts with the utilisation of a 3D printer. The in vitro and in vivo results showed a promising outcome and were conducted at the Biomaterials Innovation 鶹Ƶ Center, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School.
As an early stage researcher in the Spinner project, Denata focuses on the development of osteoinductive bone graft substitutes for spinal repair. The grafts are hydroxyapatite-based and replace autologous bone transfer in spinal cages to enhance bone regeneration resulting in spinal fusion. The project is conducted in collaboration between the University of Sheffield (Sheffield, United Kingdom) and the industrial secondment Finceramica (Faenza, Italy).
Files
Public summary of ESR1’s first year report (PDF, 554KB)
ESR1’s mid term presentation (PDF, 440KB)
ESR1's Final Spinner Event Presentation (PDF, 2.8MB)
Conference presentations
D Syla, J Rodrigues, G Reilly, F Claeyssens, “Expansion of human mesenchymal stem cells under serum-free conditions” (PDF, 951KB) , virtual conference, 6 - 7 July 2021.
D Syla, J Rodrigues, G Reilly, F Claeyssens, “Synthesis of multi-substituted hydroxyapatite using a continuous flow method” (PDF, 186KB) , Novi Sad, RS, 20 - 23 October 2021.
D Syla, J Rodrigues, G Reilly, F Claeyssens, “Substituting Hydroxyapatite with Magnesium and Strontium Using a Continuous Precipitation Method” (PDF, 148KB) , 24 - 28 January 2022.
D Syla, J Rodrigues, F Claeyssens, G C Reilly, L Grillini, L Forte, “Synthesis of magnesium and strontium substituted hydroxyapatite-polycaprolactone composites” (PDF, 484KB) , Tampa, FL, USA, 4 - 8 February 2022.
Spinner fellow ESR2: José Rui Rodrigues
Development of osteoinductive coatings for spinal implants (fusion cages).
Nationality: Portuguese
Recruiting institution: 鶹Ƶ
Academic institution: 鶹Ƶ
Industrial institution:
José Rodrigues graduated in Biomedical Engineering in 2016 at University of Minho (Braga, Portugal), with a Master’s degree in Biomaterials, Rehabilitation and Biomechanics. During this time, he conducted research on bioactive composites at the Institute for Biomaterials at Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (Erlangen, Germany) as an International Student, and at 3B’s 鶹Ƶ Group (Caldas das Taipas, Portugal) as an MSc Student. His research on biomimetic strategies for the treatment of periodontal diseases resulted in two published scientific papers.
Having also gained experience in printable sensing devices for biotechnology (which contributed for a patent currently under consideration) and the automobile industry, he now joins the Spinner network as a researcher focused once again in the development of new biomedical solutions.
Jose’s project will be focused on the development of hydroxyapatite-based osteoinductive coatings for spinal fusion cages, in a collaboration between the University of Sheffield (Sheffield, United Kingdom) and Finceramica (Faenza, Italy).
Files
Public summary of ESR2’s first year report (PDF, 669KB)
ESR2’s mid term presentation (PDF, 441KB)
ESR2's Final Spinner Event Presentation (PDF, 3,132KB)
Conference presentations
J Rodrigues, D Syla, G Reilly, F Claeyssens, “Serum-free osteogenic differentiation of a mesenchymal stem cell line”, (PDF, 776KB). , virtual conference, 6 - 7 July 2021.
J Rodrigues, G Reilly, F Claeyssens, “Studying the low-temperature crystallization of TiO2 using design of experiments”, (PDF, 12KB). , 24 - 28 January 2022.
J Rodrigues, D Syla, G C Reilly, F Claeyssens, L Grillini, R Bendoni, L Forte, “Synthesis of Mg and Sr substituted hydroxyapatite following a design of experiments approach”, (PDF, 174KB). , Tampa, FL, USA, 4 - 8 February 2022.
Spinner fellow ESR3: Chloé Techens
Integration of clinical experience and in vitro biomechanical testing to improve spinal augmentation.
Nationality: French
Recruiting institution:
Academic institution:
Clinical institution:
Chloé graduated in Mechanics of Materials and Processes from the French engineering school Centrale Nantes. Chloé oriented her knowledge towards medical applications with a MSc in Medical Engineering at KTH in Sweden.
She specialised in Biomechanics. Her research field covers the design and validation of orthopaedic devices as well as the multi-scale mechanical characterisation of biological tissues. Familiar with in-vitro experimentation and the clinical environment, she firstly studied the TrapezoMetacarpal joint.
As part of the Spinner programme, she focuses on in vitro biomechanical testing of the surgically augmented spine to explain failure mechanisms after vertebroplasty or discoplasty. The assessment of the clinical problems related to those surgeries will be also conducted at the National Centre for Spinal Disorders in Hungary based on medical records and image analysis. The research will focus on both the improved vertebral segment and the adjacent ones.
Files
Public summary of ESR3’s first year report (PDF, 511KB)
ESR3’s mid term presentation (PDF, 1.05MB)
ESR3's Final Spinner Event Presentation (PDF, 1.77MB)
Conference presentations
C Techens, M Palanca, M L Ruspi, L Cristofolini (2019), “Evaluation of stabilisation following treatment of degenerated intervertebral discs with discoplasty” (PDF, 328KB). , Vienna, AT, 7-10 July 2019.
C Techens, M Palanca, M L Ruspi, L Cristofolini (2019), “In vitro evaluation of degenerated intervertebral disc stability following treatment with discoplasty” (PDF, 411KB). , Bologna, IT, 30 September – 1 October 2019.
C Techens, S Montanari, F Bereczki, P E Eltes, A Lazary, L Cristofolini (2021), "Evaluation of spine stability following treatment of degenerated intervertebral discs with discoplasty" (PDF, 96KB). , Budapest, HU, 9 April 2021.
C Techens, S Montanari, F Bereczki, P E Eltes, A Lazary, L Cristofolini (2021) “Evaluation of spine stability following treatment of degenerated intervertebral discs with discoplasty” (PDF, 785KB). , Milan, IT, 11-14 July 2021.
S Montanari, C Techens, L Cristofolini (2021) “Biomechanical impact of intervertebral disc simulated damage” (PDF, 602KB). , Milan, 11-14 July 2021.
C Techens, S Montanari, F Bereczki, P E Eltes, A Lazary, L Cristofolini (2021), "Evaluation of the impact on spine biomechanics of percutaneous cement discoplasty procedure as a treatment for degenerated discs" (PDF, 147KB). , Sheffield, UK, 6-7 September 2021.
C Techens, S Montanari, F Bereczki, P E Eltes, A Lazary, L Cristofolini, (2021) "Biomechanical evidence supports a new minimally invasive surgical treatment of advanced disc degeneration in elderly" (Invited Talk), , Budapest, HU, 15-18 September 2021.
C Techens, S Montanari, P Eltes, A Lazary, L Cristofolini (2021), "". , Vienna, AT, 6-7 October 2021.
C Techens, S Montanari, F Bereczki, P E Eltes, A Lazary, L Cristofolini (2021), "Spine stability after treatment of degenerated intervertebral discs with percutaneous cement discoplasty". , Paris, FR, 3-6 November 2021.
Journal publications
C Techens, M Palanca, P E Éltes, Á Lazáry, L Cristofolini, (2020), “”, Medical Engineering and Physics, 8, pp 51-59.
P E Eltes, L Kiss, F Bereczki, Z Szoverfi, C Techens, G Jakab, B Hajnal, P P Varga, A Lazary, (2021) “”, Journal of Orthopaedic Translation, 28, pp131-139.
C Techens, S Montanari, P Eltes, A Lazary, L Cristofolini (2021), "". Brain and Spine, Volume 1, Supplement 1, 2021, 10079.
C Techens, P E Eltes, A Lazary, L Cristofolini (2022), "". Frontiers in Surgery, 9, 902831.
PhD Thesis
(2022)
Spinner fellow ESR4: Jennifer Fayad
Sagittal stability: movement analysis before and patient motion after spinal treatments.
Nationality: Lebanese
Recruiting institution:
Academic institution:
Clinical institution:
Jennifer graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Biology and a minor in Chemistry from the Lebanese American University and later pursued an MSc in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Surrey, UK.
Her main research focus was on motion analysis using optoelectronic techniques and the biomechanics of the spine. In particular, the analysis of changes in spinal posture between younger and older adults.
As part of the Spinner training network, her project focuses on the in vivo and in vitro methods to assess spinal stability. The in vivo clinical characterisations of the spine would be assessed by motion analysis and imaging techniques at the National Centre for Spinal Disorders in Budapest. While the in vivo assessment would allow for the mechanical characterisation of spine repair treatments to explain proximal joint kyphosis.
Files
Public summary of ESR4’s first year report (PDF, 322KB)
ESR4's mid term presentation (PDF, 855KB)
ESR4's Final Spinner Event Presentation (PDF, 4,677KB)
Conference presentations
J Fayad, R Stagni, P Eltes, P P Varga, L Cristofolini, A Lazary, (2019), “Clinical gait analysis after sacrectomy using the closed loop reconstruction technique: a case report” (PDF, 486KB). , Bologna, IT, 30 September - 1 October 2019.
J Fayad, P Eltes, A Lazary, G Szőke, T Terebessy, L Cristofolini, R Stagni (2021), "Quantification of multi-segmental spine kinematics: The reliability and outcomes of a new protocol" (PDF, 127KB) , Budapest, HU, 9 April 2021.
J Fayad, P Eltes, G Szőke, T Terebessy, L Cristofolini, R Stagni (2021), “Quantification of multi-segmental spine kinematics: the reliability and outcomes of a new protocol” (PDF, 303KB). , Milan, 11 - 14 July 2021.
J Fayad, P Eltes, A Lazary, G Szőke, T Terebessy, L Cristofolini, R Stagni (2021), “Quantification of multi-segmental spine kinematics: The reliability and Outcomes of a new protocol” (PDF, 113KB). , Sheffield, 6-7 September 2021.
J Fayad, M Turbucz, B Hajnal, F Bereczki, M Bartos, A Bank, A Lazary, P E Eltes (2021), "Working together: surgeon and engineer for the patient-specific treatment of complicated spinal deformities” (Invited Talk) , Budapest, HU, 15-18 September 2021.
J Fayad, M Turbucz, P E Eltes, L Kiss, P P Varga, A Lazary (2021), "Clinical Gait Analysis and Mapping of the Bony Fusion following Sacrectomy: A Case Report" (PDF, 15KB). , Paris, FR, 3-6 November 2021.
Journal publications
J Fayad, M Turbucz, B Hajnal, F Bereczki, M Bartos, A Bank, A Lazary, P E Eltes (2021), “”, Frontiers in Surgery, 8, pp 157.
P E Eltes, M Turbucz, J Fayad, F Bereczki, G Szőke, T Terebessy, D Lacroix, P P Varga, A Lazary (2022), “”, Frontiers in Surgery, 8.
J Fayad, P E Eltes, A Lazary, L Cristofolini, R Stagni (2022), "", BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 23, 1080.
B Hajnal, P E Eltes, F Bereczki, M Turbucz, J Fayad, A J Pokorni, A Lazary (2022), "", Scientific Reports, 12, 20382.
PhD Thesis
(2022)
Spinner fellow ESR5: Marco Sensale
Modelling spinal surgical procedures.
Nationality: Italian
Recruiting institution:
Academic institution: 鶹Ƶ
Industrial institution:
Marco's aim is to deliver highly efficient computational models of spinal surgeries to challenge the current clinical practice.
Marco graduated in Biomedical Engineering with a major in Biomechanics at the Politecnico di Torino, Turin (Italy). His dissertation thesis focused on an interdisciplinary project about uncertainty quantification of the biomechanics of soft tissues as keloid/skin composite. For this project, he worked mainly at the University of Luxembourg. Before, he participated in an Erasmus+ period in France, where he also did an R&D internship at FEMTO-ST, Besançon (France).
Marco is now back in France working at ANSYS Lyon and pursuing his studies as a postgraduate at the University of Sheffield (UK). He applied for a position in Spinner because he wanted to develop research skills in a company-related environment.
He is led by the conviction that a synergy between universities and companies could exploit current advancements and future achievements of biomedical research to make a breakthrough in surgical tools for the third millennium operating room.
Files
Public summary of ESR5’s first year report (PDF, 239KB)
ESR5's mid term presentation (PDF, 1.6MB)
ESR5's Final Spinner Event Presentation (PDF, 1.8 MB)
Conference presentations
M Sensale, T Vendeuvre, C Schilling, T Grupp, M Rochette, E Dall’Ara, (2020), “Sensitivity analyses for subject-specific finite element models of spine fixation” (PDF, 181KB). , Paris, 26 - 28 August 2020.
M Sensale, L Geronzi, M E Biancolini, T Vendeuvre, M Rochette, E Dall’Ara, “Application of reduced order modelling techniques for stress analysis in spine fixation” (PDF, 192KB). , Milan, 11 - 14 July 2021.
M Sensale, T Vendeuvre, A Germeneau, C Grivot, E Dall’Ara, M Rochette, “Prediction of the shape of human lumbar vertebrae from adjacent ones by singular values decomposition” (PDF, 179KB). , Stockholm, 25 - 29 July 2021.
M Sensale, T Vendeuvre, A Germaneau, C Grivot, M Rochette, E Dall’Ara, “Prediction of the pre-fracture shape of the L1 vertebral body from adjacent vertebrae” (PDF, 106KB). , Sheffield, 6-7 September 2021.
Grey literature
M Biancolini, M Sensale, (2019), “”, Robotics and Automation, Web, 30 October 2019.
M Biancolini, M Sensale, (2020), “”, Design News, Web, 24 January 2020.
Journal publications
M Sensale, T Vendeuvre, C Schilling, T Grupp, M Rochette, E Dall’Ara (2021), “”, Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology.
M Sensale, T Vendeuvre, A Germaneau, C Grivot, M Rochette, E Dall'Ara (2023), "", Medical Image Analysis, 87, 102827.
PhD Thesis
(2021)
Full thesis now available.
Spinner fellow ESR6: Cameron James
Statistical shape modelling and reduced order modelling techniques for patient-specific models.
Nationality: British
Recruiting institution:
Academic institution: 鶹Ƶ
Industrial institution:
Cameron graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2018 with an MEng in Bioengineering, specialising in medical devices and systems. His main research interests include the medical applications of deep learning and control systems.
During his time in Sheffield, Cameron was extremely enthusiastic about his subject and could often be found applying his bioengineering knowledge outside of the classroom, both as volunteer at ReMap and as a project leader in Sheffield Bionics Society.
As a Spinner fellow, Cameron is based at ADAGOS, France. His research focuses on the development of reduced-order, patient-specific modelling techniques for real-time surgical simulation. Alongside his work at ADAGOS, Cameron is continuing his studies at the University of Sheffield as a PhD student in the ACSE department.
Files
Public summary of ESR6’s first year report (PDF, 491KB)
ESR6's mid term presentation (PDF, 1.01MB)
Conference presentations
C James, M Masmoudi, K Bastova, L Guo, “Stress analysis of a vertebra using artificial neural networks and mesh morphing” (PDF, 563KB). , Milan, 11 - 14 July 2021.
C A James, M Masmoudi, K Bashtova, L Guo, “A Deep Learning Approach for Stress Analysis of Vertebrae” (PDF, 393KB). , Sheffield, 6-7 September 2021.