James E. Moore Jr., Ph.D.
The Bagrit and Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Medical Device Design
Department of Bioengineering
Imperial College London
Royal School of Mines Building
London SW7 2AZ
United Kingdom
+44 (0)20 795 49795
Prof. Moore was born in Toccoa, Georgia, and received his Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering in 1987, his Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1988 and his Ph.D. in 1991, all from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He was the first PhD student of Prof. David N. Ku, MD PhD, and his thesis work was a collaborative project with vascular surgeon Prof. Christopher Zarins and vascular pathologist Prof. Seymour Glagov. He had postdoctoral training at the Swiss Institute of Technology at Lausanne, 1991 – 1994, where he also helped set up a new biomedical engineering lab. From 1994 – 2003 Prof. Moore served as a professor of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, Florida International University. He moved to Texas A&M University in 2003, where he served as the Carolyn S. and Tommie E. Lohman ’59 Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Director of Graduate Studies. In Jaunary 2013, he joined Imperial College as the Bagrit and Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Medical Device Design, and Director of Research for the Department of Bioengineering.
Prof. Moore’s research interests include Cardiovascular Biomechanics, Stents, Implantable Devices, Atherosclerosis, and the Lymphatic System. His research focuses on the role of biomechanics in the formation and treatment of diseases such as atherosclerosis and cancer. His cardiovascular biomechanics research includes the first finite element models of artery walls to include residual stress, the first studies of the effects of combined flow and stretch on vascular endothelium, early work on the effects of myocardial contraction on coronary artery flow patterns, and the first studies of the effects of stents on both blood flow patterns and artery wall stress. This work resulted in the development of two novel stent designs aimed at optimizing post-implant biomechanics for the prevention of restenosis, as well as new testing devices for implants that employ more physiologic mechanical forces (currently marketed by TA Instruments). His work on the effects of stretch gradients on cells was awarded best paper of the year in the Journal of Biomechanical Engineering for 2011. In collaboration with Prof. Kumbakonam Rajagopal, he developed constitutive models of strain-accelerated degradation of polymers used in medical implants. His research on lymphatic system biomechanics, initiated in 2004 with Prof. David Zawieja, has provided unprecedented insight into the pumping characteristics of the system and the transport of nitric oxide, antigens, and chemokines in lymphatic tissues. He is currently developing two technologies for preventing and resolving secondary lymphedema, which typically forms subsequent to cancer surgery. Along with his funding from government, charity, and industry sources, Prof. Moore has received multiple patents for medical devices and testing equipment. Prof. Moore has also co-founded two startup companies.
Hobbies
Prof. Moore has been a multi-instrumental musician and singer since an early age. He has performed at venues ranging from CBGBs to Notre Dame Cathedral. In 2003, he co-founded the band BEDrock, composed of similarly-minded bioengineering faculty from around the world. The group has performed mainly at the BMES and SB3C conferences. In 2014, the group performed at the Boston House of Blues as part of the World Congress on Biomechanics.
Prof. Moore is an Ultimate Frisbee enthusiast. He has played at numerous USA National Championship and World Championship events with teams such as The Geneva Wizards, Herniated Disc, Sick Hammers, and too many more to name. His 29-year competitive playing career was cut short at the 2017 World Championships of Beach Ultimate, where he was representing Great Britain. At that tournament, his left arm was broken in this play. He serves as a certified official for competitive events (Observer and Game Advisor), and is the Chair of the UK Ultimate Spirit of the Game (sportsmanship) Committee.