Role
Dr Ali Dostan is a Senior Lecturer in Biomechanics specialising in menopausal bone health and movement-related factors influencing bone strength.
Ali investigates how movement affects bone health with the aim of translating research into practical solutions that help women become more active, strengthen their bones, and reduce the risk of osteoporotic fractures later in life.
He teaches the Biomechanics elements within the Sport Engineering course and leads an MSc module on postgraduate research methods.
Career overview
Before joining NTU, Ali lectured at the University of Hull and became a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) in 2021.
Ali received a first-class MEng in Mechanical and Medical Engineering from the University of Hull in 2014. His final-year project was presented at the 21st Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics and later published, marking the start of his academic career.
He completed a PhD in 2019 titled “Investigating the Biomechanical Profiles of Postmenopausal Women During Walking and Postural Control Tasks in Relation to Bone Mineral Density.”
Since then, he has published multiple peer-reviewed journal articles, maintaining a clear research focus on biomechanics and bone health in menopausal women.
Research areas
Ali’s research interests include clinical biomechanics, osteoporosis, digital health technology, and rehabilitation medicine. He adopts an integrative approach to understanding gait, functional movement, and metabolic bone disease.
His current project, Couch to Healthy Bones, explores how a digital app paired with a wearable sensor can deliver targeted bone-strengthening exercises while monitoring engagement and physiological responses.
The aim is to educate and motivate individuals through gamification, encouraging sustained participation, improving bone health, and exploring how this approach can be scaled as a preventative measure against osteoporosis.
His research aligns with the Global Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Good Health and Wellbeing, supporting better health and healthy aging for menopausal women.
Ali welcomes applications for PhD studies in his areas of expertise.
External activity
- Scientific Panel Member, Osteoporosis Research in East Yorkshire (OSPREY), 2018–2025.
- Medical Engineering Consultant, REMAP (national charity), 2014–present.
Sponsors and collaborators
UKRI (HEIF)
University of Hull
Smith and Nephew
ORUK
Osteoporosis Research in East Yorkshire (OSPREY)