My team

My lab consists of passionate and highly motivated young scientists that share an insatiable desire for learning new skills in the field of functional anatomy. Integrating students into research is a necessity for enriching their academic experience beyond the classroom and for creating a vibrant laboratory atmosphere that provides learning opportunities for all.

I am always keen to work with positive students who love science and are open to exploring new experimental and simulation techniques. If this is you, contact me for further discussion.

Available PhD projects, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute

  1. Impacts of implants om bending and strain regimes of the primate skull
  2. Investigating the biomechanics of extreme herbivory: the case of koalas and wombats
  3. Determinants of locomotor foot function in rhinoceros: A first step towards understanding foot pathologies
  4. The effect of developing dentition and feeding behaviour on the biomechanics of the primate jaw.

Honours

  1. 2018: Sarah Fung (co-Advisor). Thesis title: A functional analysis of the carabelli train in Australian Aboriginal dentition. Primary Advisor: Dr Luca Fiorenza, Monash University
  2. 2017: Kirby Pitt (Primary Advisor). Thesis title: The effect of chewing on the deformations of the macaque craniofacial skeleton. School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Australia.
  3. 2017: Cruise Speck (co-Advisor). Thesis title: Mandibular shape variation in wombats (50-50% supervision with Dr Vera Weisbecker). School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Australia.
  4. 2017: Laura Humphries (Associate Advisor). Thesis title: Reconstruction and biomechanics of the developing mammalian jaw joint and middle ear using 3D Imaging software in three marsupial species. Primary Advisor: Dr Vera Weisbecker, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Australia.
  5. 2016: Chi Ying Ho (Primary Advisor): Thesis title: Distribution of locomotor foot pressures in Australian cows reared on natural substrates. School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Australia.
  6. 2015: Hyab Mehari Abraha (Primary Advisor): Thesis title: Determinants of bone properties on the mechanics of the primate jaw during chewing. School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Australia.
  7. 2015: Philippa Champerlain (Associate Advisor): Thesis title: Foot problems in captivity in mega-vertebrates. Primary Advisor: Dr Steven Salisbury, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Australia.
  8. 2014: Grace Jauristo (Primary Advisor): Thesis title: Regional foot pressures during walking in Australian domestic dromedary camels. School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Australia.
  9. 2014: Madeleine Day (Primary Advisor): Thesis title: Foot pressure Locomotor mechanics in African elephants (Loxodonta africana). School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Australia.
  10. 2014: Adrian Malisano (Primary Advisor): Thesis title: Foot distribution in domestic sheep during walking. School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Australia.

 2010-2012: BVet Med Hons students working on animal foot pressures during locomotion (Geekie Cameron, Murphy Joshua Ian, Phillipa Dobbs, Lisa Brown, Katherine Jones, Erin Carney); on subchondral bone density in horses (Amy Amelleney) and on material properties of mammalian foot tendons and ligaments (Gamston Timothy Allan) (Associate Advisor). Primary Advisor: Professor John R Hutchinson

MSc

MSc Veterinary Science 2015-2016: Christina Quah (Associate Advisor). Thesis title: 3D reconstructed computer models of bone pathology in a koala and bridled nail tail wallabies and their potential application to veterinary education. Primary Advisor: Assoc. Professor Chiara Palmieri, School of Veterinary Sciences, The University of Queensland, Australia

Higher Degree Research

  1. PhD 2017- ongoing: Hyab Mehari Abraha (Primary Advisor 60%, Monash University). Thesis title: The impact of implant fixations and surgical reconstructions on the mechanics of the jaw. Associate Advisors: Professor Callum Ross 10% (University of Chicago); Professor Andrea Taylor 10% (Touro University); Dr. Iriarte-Diaz 10% (University of Illinois Chicago)

 Mehari Abraha under my supervision has successfully completed her M1 at Monash University. She has also received the prizes and awards listed below:

Hyab Mehari Abraha Achievements under Panagiotopoulou’s mentorship

Prizes, Distinctions, Awards and Scholarships

2018: Mehari Abraha H. Jaw Fracture and the Bio-mechanics of Chewing. 3-Minute Thesis, Monash University, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University Finalist

2017: Second Prize for Best Oral Presentation at the Australasian Society for Human Biology (ASHB) Meeting, Ballarat, VIC.

2017: Nominee for the Fulbright Fellowship

2017: Nominee for the Best Poster Presentation at the Australian Medical Research Postgraduate student award

2017: Australian Postgraduate Award recipient for PhD project with Dr Panagiotopoulou commenced January 2017

2015: Michael F Hickey Prize for being the highest graded honours graduate in the fields of Anatomy and Physiology.

2015: University of Queensland Deans Commendation for Academic Excellence upon completion of Bachelor of Science (Honours)

2015: Poster Prize at the International Biomedical Sciences Postgraduate Symposium 

  1. PhD 2015-2018: Tianyi Feng (Associate Advisor 10%). Thesis title: Spermatogenesis and Sperm Assessment in the Australian Giant Tiger Prawn, Penaeus monodon (Fabricius, 1798). Primary Advisor: Professor Steve Johnston 50%, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Australia.

Other Associate Advisors: Dr Brian Paterson (DAF QLD) (30%); Dr Gregory Coman 10% (CSIRO); Dr Olga Panagiotopoulou 10% (Monash University)

Tianyi Feng successfully passed his PhD on October 105th 2018

  1. PhD 2015-2019: Andreas Jannel (Associate Advisor 30%). Thesis title: Palaeoecological and biomechanical inferences of sauropodan dinosaur tracks from the Lower Cretaceous Broome Sandstone of the Dampier Peninsula, Western Australia. Primary Advisor 70%: Dr Steve Salisbury, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Australia.

Andreas Jannel has successfully completed his M1 September 2016 at the University of Queensland and he is heading to M2.

Prizes: 2017: Winner of the best podium presentation at the CAVETs meeting in New Zealand.

  1. PhD 2010-2014 (Completed): Dr. Sharon Warner (Associate Advisor 20%). Thesis title: Basic principles of foot design, locomotor impact mechanics and disease in large mammals (funded by the Royal Veterinary College and BBSRC). Primary Advisor: Professor John R Hutchinson (70%) & Professor Renate Weller (10%) The Royal Veterinary College, UK.