Dr Xiancheng Yu - University of Sheffield

Research Fellowships 2025

Traumatic intracranial haemorrhage (ICH), or brain bleeding, is a critical and common medical emergency resulting from events causing traumatic brain injury, such as falls or collisions. It remains one of the leading causes of disability and death in both older and younger populations. Current treatment is often reactive, relying heavily on symptomatic monitoring and imaging. However, patient responses to ICH vary significantly, and clinicians often lack the tools to predict how the haemorrhage will progress. This can delay intervention and lead to poorer outcomes. Biomechanics plays a fundamental role in ICH-related brain injury. As blood accumulates, it displaces and compresses brain tissue, increases intracranial pressure, and disrupts normal blood flow. Despite its clear clinical importance, the biomechanics of ICH is not well understood. Existing models often lack precision and fail to capture the complex interactions within the brain, while limited validation against clinical data further reduces their applicability in real-world settings.

This research will bridge the gap between engineering and clinical care by investigating the biomechanical mechanisms that drive ICH progression and influence patient outcomes. By identifying key mechanical factors and vulnerable brain regions, this work will lay the foundation for predictive tools that help clinicians determine which patients are most at risk and when intervention is most beneficial. 
 
Ultimately, this project aims to transform the way ICH is understood and managed. By enabling earlier, more accurate and more personalised clinical decisions, it will improve survival rates and long-term recovery for patients with traumatic brain injury-induced haemorrhage. The outcomes will benefit patients, their families, NHS services and the broader scientific and medical communities.

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