Rate My Professor Cathy Holt

Professor Cathy Holt is Professor of Biomechanics and Orthopaedic Engineering in the Biomedical Engineering Research Group at Cardiff University's School of Engineering. She earned her BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering from University College Cardiff in 1988 and her PhD from Cardiff University in 1993, along with a PGDip, and holds qualifications as a Chartered Engineer (CEng) and Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (FIMechE). As Director of the Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Facility and Biomechanics Research Director for the Cardiff Biomechanics and Bioengineering Research Centre Versus Arthritis, her research specializes in 3D motion analysis, orthopaedic biomechanics, functional classification of joint disease and surgical intervention, with novel applications of motion capture and analysis in osteoarthritis and orthopaedic surgery. A co-founder of the Medical Engineering degree at Cardiff University, she has collaborated across schools, attracting over £25 million in external funding, including more than £5 million personally from EPSRC, Versus Arthritis, Wellcome Trust ISSF, MRC CIC, Health & Care Research Wales, and Welsh Government/Ser Cymru.

Professor Holt has authored over 100 peer-reviewed papers and conference contributions, including the book chapter 'Biomechanics of the peripheral joints and spine' in Rheumatology (2023, 8th edition). Key publications encompass 'High tibial osteotomy results in improved frontal plane knee moments, gait patterns and patient reported outcomes' (Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy, 2020), 'Using musculoskeletal modelling to estimate knee joint loading pre and post high tibial osteotomy' (Clinical Biomechanics, 2023), and 'Altered gait strategies show inconsistent medial compartment unloading in varus medial knee osteoarthritis awaiting high tibial osteotomy' (Clinical Biomechanics, 2026). Her contributions earned fellowships from the Learned Society of Wales (FLSW), Institution of Mechanical Engineers, and International Orthopaedic Research Societies, the Royal Academy of Engineering/Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellowship (2007), and Suffrage Science Award (2017). She served as Past Chair of the IMechE Biomedical Engineering Board and Orthopaedics TAC, full member of REF 2021 Engineering Sub-Panel, and contributes to the Royal Academy of Engineering Healthcare Technology Interest Group, alongside roles as external examiner and guest lecturer internationally.