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Dr Luke Ottewell

Dr Luke Ottewell MBChB, PGCE(MedEd)

Assistant Professor of Anatomy
E: L.Ottewell2@bsms.ac.uk
Location: Medical School Teaching Building

Areas of expertise: Neuroanatomy, Applied Anatomy, Surgery, Performance Medicine

Research areas: Traumatic Brain Injury, Pituitary Surgery, Neurosurgery, Spinal Trauma, Personality Types, Systematic Review, Complex Humanitarian Emergencies

Other relevant positions: Complex Humanitarian Emergencies SSC Lead

Biography

Dr Luke Ottewell is a medical doctor currently working as an Assistant Professor of Anatomy at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS). After graduating in 2021, Luke worked in surgery in the NHS and earned his MRCS Part A in 2023, which deepened his interest in anatomy. Luke joined BSMS that same year as an Anatomy Demonstrator, completing a PGCE in Medical Education under the department’s guidance. Within the department, Luke became heavily involved in neuroanatomy dissection/prosection.

Luke is passionate about medical education – particularly the needs of medical students and how we shape the curriculum to reflect the evolving needs of the population. Luke's clinical interests include performance medicine, sport and exercise, and nutrition. Academically, Luke is especially interested in neuroanatomy, with a clinical focus on neurotrauma. Luke also has a strong interest in humanitarian health and currently leads an undergraduate SSC titled Health in Complex Humanitarian Emergencies.

Outside work, Luke is a Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Selected publications

Ottewell L, Wright F. Purity, politics and pain: Trump’s paracetamol posturing and the moralisation of pregnancy. Medical Humanities. 2025 Nov 27.

Ottewell L. Physician, mentor thyself! Cross-pollination of concepts in medical education, mentorship and mental health counselling. Education for Primary Care. 2025 Dec 6:1-6.

Ottewell LA, Paranathala MP, Robson CH, Jenkins AJ. Traumatic arteriovenous fistula from internal maxillary artery following trigeminal balloon compression. British Journal of Neurosurgery. 2025 Mar 4;39(2):255-8.

Ottewell L. What is the optimal management of recurrent non-functioning pituitary adenoma?. The British Student Doctor Journal. 2021 Jun 1;5(3).

Bhatti FI, Mowforth OD, Butler MB, Bhatti AI, Adeeko S, Akhbari M, Dilworth R, Grodzinski B, Osunronbi T, Ottewell L, Teh JQ. Systematic review of the impact of cannabinoids on neurobehavioral outcomes in preclinical models of traumatic and nontraumatic spinal cord injury. Spinal cord. 2021 Dec;59(12):1221-39.

Butler MB, Vellaiyappan SK, Bhatti F, Syed FE, Rafati Fard A, Teh JQ, Grodzinski B, Akhbari M, Adeeko S, Dilworth R, Bhatti A. The impact of phosphodiesterase inhibition on neurobehavioral outcomes in preclinical models of traumatic and non-traumatic spinal cord injury: a systematic review. Frontiers in Medicine. 2023 Aug 22;10:1237219.