Nigel Shrive is a Faculty Professor at the Schulich School of Engineering at the University of Calgary. Shrive is a world-renowned expert in biomedical and civil engineering using his extensive knowledge of structural mechanics to drive forward transdisciplinary collaborative research in areas such as human mobility, cardiovascular mechanics, regenerative medicine and novel medical technologies with the goal of improving treatments.
Shrive set a benchmark for innovation early on, when he held a patent (jointly with his DPhil supervisors) on an artificial knee, which is still being implanted worldwide. He revealed new knowledge of the importance of menisci of the knee in load transfer across that joint, which shifted clinical practice from excising a torn meniscus to saving the tissue. Shrive has made fundamental discoveries and inroads on the intricate interplay between biology and functions in joints and ligaments alongside an orthopaedic surgeon and a cell molecular biologist, which are expected to lead to completely new avenues for treatment of osteoarthritis. Similar contributions in cardiovascular mechanics will change the diagnosis and treatments of heart diseases.
In civil engineering, Shrive has concentrated mainly on masonry including protecting and restoring brick and stone buildings. He has made numerous contributions to our understanding of this complex and beautiful material; he continues trying to explain the behaviour of masonry and propose safe design methods so that it can be used confidently in Canadian construction.
His work has shaped generations of engineers with his outstanding teaching and mentorship for over 45 years, developing the foundational knowledge of engineering principles and a passion for research. Shrive’s work has been field-defining and has led to novel understandings that translate into meaningful changes in Canadian society.
