Dr Laoise McNamara B.ENG, Ph.D, DIP STAT
Contact Details
|
 |
Biography:
| Research Career:
2009- present: SFI Stokes Lecturer: College of Engineering and Informatics, NUI Galway
2007- 2009: Lecturer: School of Engineering Sciences, University of Southampton, UK 2005- 2007: Lecturer (Fixed term): Dept of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, NUI Galway 2004- 2005: Postdoctoral Researcher: Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, USA Dr. Laoise McNamara was recruited to the Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering at NUI Galway through the Science Foundation Ireland Stokes Lectureship program in 2009. She holds a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland and a first class honours degree in Mechanical Engineering from the National University of Ireland, Galway. Following her PhD she completed a postdoctoral fellowship in bone cell biology at the Department of Orthopaedic Research at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York. Upon completing this research she was appointed to a fixed-term lectureship in Biomedical Engineering at the National University of Ireland, Galway. From 2007-2009 she was a lecturer in Mechanobiology and Musculoskeletal Biomechanics at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom before taking up her current position. Dr. McNamara's research group consists of eight PhD students and
three postdoctoral fellows. She has been awarded funding by the European
Research Council, under the Starting Independant Research Grant Program
2010, the Health Research Board Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland.
She lectures and co-ordinates courses on the Introduction to Biomedical
Engineering, Biomechanics, Medical Implant and Device Design for
Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Degree Program.
|
Research Interests
| The primary objective of the research in Dr. McNamara's group is to
delineate the normal mechanosensory and signalling mechanisms of bone
cells. The secondary objective is to determine whether bone tissue
mechanics or mechanobiology are impaired during osteoporosis. The final
objective is to develop in vitro approaches that can enhance bone tissue
regeneration and thereby advance treatment of bone pathologies. The
research expertise in Dr. McNamara's group incorporates experimental and
computational techniques including micromechanical testing, finite
element modelling and theoretical mechano-regulation theories. In
addition her group uses in vitro cell culture, advanced microscopy and
immunohistochemistry techniques to characterise bone cell biology. Using
such methods we focus on:
|
Book Chapters
| Lee, T.C., McHugh, P.E., O'Brien, F.J., O'Mahoney, D., Taylor, D., Bruzzi, M., Rackard, S.M., Kennedy, O.D., Mahony, N.J., Harrison, N., Lohfield, S., Brennan, O., Gleeson, J., Hazenberg, J.G., Mullins, L., Tyndyk, M., McNamara, L.M., O'Kelly, K. (2004) 'Bone for Life: Osteoporosis, Bone Remodelling and Computer Simulation' In: Prendergast, P.J.; McHugh, P.E (eds). Topics in Bio-Mechanical Engineering. [Details] |
| McNamara, L.M. (2008) 'Bones of Contention' In: Simms, C.J.; Prendergast, P.J (eds). Perspectives in Design and Bioengeineering. [Details] |
| McNamara, L.M. (2011) 'Bone as a Material' In: Ducheyne, P.; Healy, K.E.; Hutmacher, D.E.; Grainger, D.E.; James, C (eds). Comprehensive Biomaterials. Amsterdam: Elsevier. [Details] |
Peer Reviewed Journals
| McNamara, L. M., Prendergast, P. J. and Schaffler, M. B. (2005) 'Bone tissue material properties are altered during Osteoporosis'. Journal of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions, 5 (4):342-343. [Details] |
| McNamara, L.M., Prendergast, P.J. (2005) 'Perforation of cancellous bone trabeculae by damage-stimulated remodelling at resorption pits: a computational analysis'. European Journal of Morphology, 42 (01-Feb):99-109. [Details] |
| McNamara, L.M., Lyons, C.G., Ederveen, A.H., Weinans, H., Price, C.J., Schaffler, M.B., Prendergast, P.J. (2006) 'Strength of cancellous bone trabecular tissue from normal, ovarectomized and drug-treated rats over the course of ageing'. BONE, 39 (2):392-400. [Details] |
| McNamara, L.M., Van der Linden, J.C., Weinans, H., Prendergast, P.J. (2006) 'Stress-concentrating effect of resorption lacunae in trabecular bone'. Journal Of Biomechanics, 39 (4):734-741. [Details] |
| McNamara, L. M. & Prendergast, P. J. (2007) 'Bone remodelling algorithms incorporating both strain and microdamage stimuli'. Journal of Biomechanics, 40 (6):1381-1391. [Details] |
| Wang, Y., McNamara, L.M., Schaffler, M.B. Weinbaum, S.A. (2007) 'Model for the Role of Integrins in Flow Induced Mechanotransduction in Osteocytes'. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 10 (40):15941-15946. [Details] |
| Mulvihill, B.M., McNamara, L.M., Prendergast, P.J. (2007) 'The effect of patient-specific bone remodeling rates on remodelling/repair in trabecular bone'. III International congress on Computational Bioengineering, . [Details] |
| Mulvihill, B.M., McNamara, L.M., Prendergast, P.J. (2008) 'Loss of trabeculae in osteoporotic cancellous bone by biomechanical means'. Journal of the Royal Society Interface, 5 (5):1243-1253. [Details] |
| Wang, Y., McNamara, L.M., Schaffler, M.B., Weinbaum, S. (2008) 'Strain amplification and integrin based signalling in osteocytes'. Journal of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions, 8 (4):332-334. [Details] |
| McNamara, L.M., Majeska, R.J., Weinbaum, S., Friedrich, V., Schaffler, M.B. (2009) 'Attachment of osteocyte cell processes to the bone matrix'. Anatomical Record, . [Details] |
| McNamara, L.M. (2010) 'Perspective on post-menopausal osteoporosis: establishing an interdisciplinary understanding of the sequence of events from the molecular level to whole bone fractures'. Jourmal of the Royal Society Interface, 7 (44):353-372. [Details] |
| Brennan, O., Kennedy, O.D., Lee, T.C., Rackard, S.M., O'Brien, F.J., McNamara, L.M. (2011) 'The effects of estrogen deficiency and bisphosphonate treatment on tissue mineralisation and stiffness in an ovine model of osteoporosis'. Journal of Biomechanics, 44 (3):386-390. [DOI] [Details] |
| Brennan, M.A., Gleeson, J.P. Browne, M., O'Brien, F.J., Thurner, P.J., McNamara, L.M. (2011) 'Site specific increase in heterogeneity of trabecular bone tissue mineral during oestrogen deficiency'. European Cells and Materials, 21 :396-406. [Details] |
| Brennan, MA,Gleeson, JP,Browne, M,O'Brien, FJ,Thurner, PJ,McNamara, LM (2011) 'SITE SPECIFIC INCREASE IN HETEROGENEITY OF TRABECULAR BONE TISSUE MINERAL DURING OESTROGEN DEFICIENCY'. European Cells & Materials, 21 . [Details] |
Birmingham E, Niebur GL, McHugh PE, Shaw G, Barry FP, McNamara LM. (2012) 'Osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells is regulated by osteocyte and osteoblast cells in a simplified bone niche'. European Cells And Materials, 23 :13-27.  [Details] |
| Brennan O, O'Brien FJ, McNamara LM. (2012) 'Estrogen plus estrogen receptor antagonists alter mineral production by osteoblasts in vitro'. Hormone and Metabolic Research, 44 (2). [Details] |
Conference Paper
| McNamara, L.M., Van der Linden, J.C., Weinans, H., Prendergast, P.J. (2002) High stresses occur in bone trabeculae under low loads! A study using micro-serial sectioning techniques and finite element analysis. Proc 13th European Society of Biomechanics, ACTA of Bioengineering and Biomechanics. Conference Paper [Details] |
| McNamara, L.M., Prendergast, P.J., O' Kelly, K., Lyons, G. (2002) Micro-tensile testing of individual bone trabeculae from Normal, Ageing and Ovarectomized Bones. Proc 4th World Congress of Biomechanics. Calgary, Canada: Conference Paper [Details] |
| Prendergast, PJ, McNamara, LM, Kelly, DJ, Lacroix, D (2002) Finite Element Analysis and Bone Remodeling. Proc 4th Bone Fluid Flow Meeting, STEGA. Conference Paper [Details] |
| McNamara, L.M., Prendergast, P.J. (2004) Can BMU activity be predicted using a mechano-regulatory rule combining strain and microdamage. Proc 14th European Society of Biomechanics. Hertogenbosch: Conference Paper [Details] |
| McNamara, L.M., Prendergast, P.J., Lyons, C.G., Ederveen, A.G.H., Weinans, H. (2004) Strength of single rat trabeculae in normal, ovariectomized and drug treated bone during ageing. Trans 50th Orthopaedic Research Society. San Francisco, California: Conference Paper [Details] |
| McNamara, L.M., Prendergast, P.J., Schaffler, M.B (2005) Bone tissue material properties are altered during osteoporosis, American Society for Bone and Mineral Research Harold B. Frost Young Investigator Award. Proc 35th Sun Valley Skeletal Tissue Biology Workshop. Sun Valley, Idaho, USA: Conference Paper [Details] |
| McNamara, L.M., Prendergast, L.M. (2005) Trabecular perforation during osteoporosis may begin with a chance in bone tissue elastic behavior. Trans 51st Orthopaedic Research Society. Washington: Conference Paper [Details] |
| McNamara, L.M., Herman, B.C., Majeska, R.J., Schaffler, M.B. (2006) Development of osteocytic phenotype in vitro depends on extracellular matrix composition. Trans 52nd Orthopaedic Research Society. Chicago: Conference Paper [Details] |
| Mulvihill, B.M., McNamara, L.M., Prendergast, P.J. (2006) 3D Simulation of Damage Repair along a Single Trabecular Strut. Proceedings of the 5th World Congress of Biomechanics. Conference Paper [Details] |
| McNamara, L.M., Lyons, C.G., Ederveen, A.H., Weinans, H., Price, C.J., Schaffler, M.B., Prendergast, P.J. (2006) Changes in bone tissue material properties during osteoporosis and anti-resorptive drug treatment are coupled to changes in mineral content. Trans 52nd Orthopaedic Research Society. Chicago: Conference Paper [Details] |
| McNamara, LM, Majeska, RJ, Weinbaum, S, Friedrich, V, Schaffler, MB (2006) Attachment of osteocyte cell processes to bone matrix, New Investigator Research Award. Trans 52nd Orthopaedic Research Society. Conference Paper [Details] |
| Wang, Y., McNamara, L.M., Schaffler, M.B., Weinbaum, S. (2006) A model for the role of integrins in flow induced mechanotransduction in osteocytes. Proc Biomedical Engineering Society Fall Meeting. Conference Paper [Details] |
| Mulvihill, B.M., McNamara, L.M., Prendergast, P.J. (2007) 3D simulation of damage repair along a single trabecular strut. Trans 53rd Orthopaedic Research Society. San Diego: Conference Paper [Details] |
| Wang, Y., Weinbaum, S., McNamara, L.M., Schaffler, M.B. (2007) A model for the role of integrins in flow induced mechanotransduction in osteocytes. Trans 53rd Orthopaedic Research Society. San Diego: Conference Paper [Details] |
| Fritton, J.C., Chinitz, N., Berman, D., McNamara, L.M., Choi, B.G., Badimon, J.J., Schaffler, M.B. (2007) Atherogenic treatment impairs age-related cortical bone adaptation in female rabbits. Trans 53rd Orthopaedic Research Society. San Diego: Conference Paper [Details] |
| McNamara, L.M., O'Brien F.J., Gillespie, C. (2008) Site-specific differences in bone mineral content from normal and ovariectomized bone. Trans 54th Orthopaedic Research Society. San Francisco, California: Conference Paper [Details] |
| McNamara, L.M., Brennan, M., Brennan, O. (2009) Estrogen deficiency alters mineral production by osteoblastic cells in vitro. Trans 55th Orthopaedic Research Society. Las Vegas, Nevada, USA: Conference Paper [Details] |
| Birmingham E., McNamara L., Niebur G., McHugh P.E. (2010) Understanding the biomechanical microenvironment of the stem cell niche in bone. Proceedings of the 17th Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics. Edinburgh: Conference Paper [Details] |
| Verbruggen, S., McNamara, L.M. (2011) Multi-Scale Computational Modelling of Physiological Loading on Bone Cells. International workshop on Computational Mechanics. Limerick, Ireland: Conference Paper [Details] |
| Brennan, M, Browne, M, O'Brien, F, J, Thurner, P, J, McNamara, L (2011) Site Specific Increase in Heterogeneity of Bone Tissue Mineral during Estrogen Deficiency. Trans 57th Orthopaedic Research Society. Long Beach, California, USA: Conference Paper [Details] |
| Gunning, P., O'Keeffe L., McNamara, L.M. (2011) Computational analysis of transcatheter bioprosthetic valve design. International workshop on Computational Mechanics. Limerick, Ireland: Conference Paper [Details] |
| Birmingham E., Niebur G., McHugh P., McNamara L. (2011) An investigation into the microenvironment of the stem cell niche. Trans 57th Orthopaedic Research Society. Long Beach, California, USA: Conference Paper [Details] |
| Brennan, O., Kennedy, O.D., Lee T.C., Rackard, S.M., O'Brien, F.J., McNamara, L.M. (2011) The Effects of Estrogen Deficiency and Bisphosphonate Treatment on Tissue Mineralisation and Stiffness in an Ovine Model of Osteoporosis. Trans 56th Orthopaedic Research Society. New Orleans, USA: Conference Paper [Details] |
| Mullen, C., McNamara, L.M. (2011) Experimental and Computational Investigation into Osteocyte Differentiation. European Chapter of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society. Granada, Spain: Conference Paper [Details] |
| Brennan, M, Browne, M, O'Brien, F, Thurner, P J, McNamara, LM (2011) Estrogen deficiency increased heterogeneity of bone tissue is anatomically regional dependent . Trans 57th Orthopaedic Research Society. Long Beach, California, USA: Conference Paper [Details] |
| Brennan, O., Kuliwaba, J.S., Mahony, N.J., Parkinson, I.H., Fazzalari, N.L., McNamara, L.M., O'Brien, F.J. (2011) Bone Mineral and Matrix Composition s Altered Prior to Significant Architectural Changes in Osteoporosis. Trans 57th Orthopaedic Research Society. Long Beach, California, USA: Conference Paper [Details] |
| Birmingham, E., Niebur, G., McNamara, L., McHugh, P. (2011) Computational Modelling of Trabecular Bone Marrow. International workshop on Computational Mechanics. Limerick, Ireland: Conference Paper [Details] |