Dr Riaz Akhtar
drriaza.bsky.social
Dr Riaz Akhtar
@drriaza.bsky.social
Reader in Biomedical Engineering and Director of Postgraduate Studies, Engineering, University of Liverpool. Fascinated by mechanics of biological tissues and disease processes. Enjoy running and martial arts. Own views.
Our latest paper "Micromechanical heterogeneity in abdominal aortic aneurysms is associated with rupture risk" published in Acta Biomaterialia. Our work can help to refine prediction models and surgical decision-making for AAAs. @jmadine.bsky.social

www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Micromechanical heterogeneity in abdominal aortic aneurysms is associated with rupture risk
Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are common, especially in men, and associated with a high mortality when ruptured. Clinical guidance for surgical rep…
www.sciencedirect.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:07 AM
School of Engineering marking World Heart Day @liverpoolccs.bsky.social
September 29, 2025 at 8:43 PM
At @liverpoolccs.bsky.social World Heart Day workshop. Keynote by Dr Kuzma (Poland) on role of environment in CVD and stroke. We did an overview of aorta research in Liverpool @jmadine.bsky.social #worldheartday #liverpool
September 29, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Reposted by Dr Riaz Akhtar
Britain’s zombie universities should put Schumpeter on the syllabus on.ft.com/46tIQC1 | opinion
Britain’s zombie universities should put Schumpeter on the syllabus
It’s time to borrow from the corporate crib sheets — and if all else fails, creative destruction is a force for good
on.ft.com
September 21, 2025 at 4:56 AM
Sign outside one of our teaching rooms @livuniwise.bsky.social 🤣
September 17, 2025 at 6:19 AM
New paper out in BioEssays! We reflect on how #EDI can reshape research culture.

Our EDI Sandpit tackled various assumptions in academia
The message? Inclusive practices = stronger science a better future for academia. 🌍✨. @livuni-ilcams.bsky.social
🔗 onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) Sandpit: Views on Research Paradigms and the Future of Academia
In this report, we summarize the outcome of a consultation session held in January 2024 appraising adopted attitudes within scientific research. This Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Sandpit was...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
September 15, 2025 at 12:22 PM
After a very successful @biomedeng25.bsky.social we are pleased to announce that BioMedEng 26 will be held in Liverpool. Watch this space for more details. @liverpooluni.bsky.social @drrostireadioff.bsky.social @livuni-ilcams.bsky.social @livuniwise.bsky.social
September 5, 2025 at 6:16 PM
🧬 Our latest paper links 2 proteins, medin + transthyretin (TTR), that build up in ageing arteries. They cluster together in aortic tissue, & TTR may reduce medin’s harmful effects. Could be key to understanding vascular ageing + aneurysm risk. 👉 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40899588 @jmadine.bsky.social
Medin and transthyretin: a new amyloid double act in the aortic wall and valves - PubMed
This study identifies a novel association between medin and TTR, highlighting a potential role for co-aggregation in vascular amyloid deposition.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
September 5, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Josh Preston presenting his PhD work on coarctation of the aorta @biomedeng25.bsky.social @liverpoolccs.bsky.social @livuni-ilcams.bsky.social
September 4, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Bojin Marinov presenting his work on collagen fibril degradation in thoracic aortic aneurysms @biomedeng25.bsky.social , @liverpoolccs.bsky.social
September 4, 2025 at 4:45 PM
I made it to @biomedeng25.bsky.social last night after a long and arduous journey…trains halted at Preston, private hire cab offered as rail replacement, cab had engine issues and made repeated stops on the hard shoulder, rescue cab provided…worth the trouble ! Always a great meeting.
September 4, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Our latest paper in The Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials:
Regional quantification of glycosaminoglycans and their association with collagen fibril ultrastructure in the sclera following enzymatic degradation #collagen #AFM #eye

www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Regional quantification of glycosaminoglycans and their association with collagen fibril ultrastructure in the sclera following enzymatic degradation
Sclera biomechanics play an important role in clear vision. Understanding the biomechanical, composition and ultrastructural topography of the sclera …
www.sciencedirect.com
August 28, 2025 at 3:48 PM
3 papers accepted whilst I was on annual leave. I should take a holiday more often :)
August 27, 2025 at 2:43 PM
“In fact, the honour belongs to New Zealander Sir Ernest Rutherford, who demonstrated atoms could be split during experiments at Victoria University of Manchester in 1919.”

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article....
Trump claims Manchester atom split as US achievement
Trump speech hailed the US feat, but New Zealander Sir Ernest Rutherford oversaw the trial in Manchester.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 21, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Has Bluesky replaced X for scientists? Take Nature’s poll

www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Has Bluesky replaced X for scientists? Take Nature’s poll
The research community has flocked to the social-media platform Bluesky. Tell us about your experience.
www.nature.com
January 15, 2025 at 11:31 PM
January 15, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Reposted by Dr Riaz Akhtar
Over 60 German universities quit social media platform X.

Platform accused of failing to uphold values of diversity, freedom, and scholarship.
Over 60 German universities quit social media platform X
Platform accused of failing to uphold values of diversity, freedom, and scholarship - Anadolu Ajansı
www.aa.com.tr
January 12, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Reposted by Dr Riaz Akhtar
Fantastic illustration of the topic of social construction of pathology -- and of medical progress, since we no longer pathologies this. #socy126 #nosology #lefties #southpaws
January 9, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Bye bye X
January 8, 2025 at 9:34 AM
What happens with the aorta rips? Aanimation video for 13-16 year olds exploring aortic disease, biomaterials and surgical repair. Developed with @aorticdissectct.bsky.social and @stemlearning.bsky.social funding. Science teachers, for Key Stage 3/4 students.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUYz...
What happens when the aorta rips apart? Materials Science of Aortic Disease
YouTube video by Dr Riaz A
www.youtube.com
January 2, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Award for best scarf at graduation goes to Selinam from Ghana, who completed her MSc in Biomedical Engineering with Management @liverpooluni.bsky.social
December 10, 2024 at 8:49 PM
Was great to have Margherita Guido back on campus with her family. Margherita graduated with an MSc in Biomedical Engineering with Management. Her dissertation project was with Prof Lotto, (Alder Hey) and me on the repair of an aortic coarctation. @liverpooluni.bsky.social

youtu.be/7T68GxYleKs?...
Top 3 reasons to study a Biomedical Engineering MSc at Liverpool
YouTube video by University of Liverpool
youtu.be
December 4, 2024 at 2:41 PM
I am pleased to announce the launch of our new MSc programme at University of Liverpool in Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering MSc.
Applications are open for January 2025 start date - www.liverpool.ac.uk/courses/2024... @livuniwise.bsky.social @livuninews.bsky.social
November 28, 2024 at 7:08 AM