David Ackland

Professor David Ackland is a Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering within the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology at the University of Melbourne. He serves as Deputy Head of Department (Research), Head of the Biomechanics Research Group, Deputy Director of the ARC Centre for Medical Implant Technologies, and an Australian Research Council Future Fellow. Ackland holds a BSc in Neuroscience, BE in Mechanical Engineering, and PhD from the University of Melbourne, where he completed his doctoral and postdoctoral training focused on musculoskeletal biomechanics and shoulder arthroplasty. His research specializations encompass computational modelling and experimentation in human movement biomechanics, with emphasis on upper limb orthopaedics, maxillofacial surgery, muscle and joint function, and implantable devices for end-stage bone and joint conditions. His group utilizes medical imaging, human motion experiments, musculoskeletal modelling, and in vitro biomechanical testing to evaluate joint mechanics and device performance.

Ackland has made significant contributions to clinical translation, including the design of Australia’s first customised jaw-joint replacement prosthesis, which has restored jaw function in over 300 Australians affected by congenital deformities, degenerative disease, trauma, or cancer, leading to the spin-off company Maxoniq (formerly OMX Solution Pty Ltd). Key publications include 'Moment arms of the muscles crossing the anatomical shoulder' (2008), 'An EMG-driven neuromusculoskeletal modelling framework for evaluation of shoulder muscle and joint function' (2017), and 'The moment arms and leverage of the human finger muscles' (2015). In 2025, he was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the Australian Orthopaedic Association for sustained contributions to orthopaedics research and training. Ackland currently serves as President of the Australian and New Zealand Orthopaedic Research Society (ANZORS) and a member of the International Combined Orthopaedic Research Societies (ICORS) steering committee. His research extends to AI and data analytics in biomechanics.

Professional Email: dackland@unimelb.edu.au