BSMS > About BSMS > Contact us > Staff > Dr Luke Reid

Dr Luke Reid

A head and shoulders shot of Luke Reid from the BSMS anatomy team wearing black scrubs

Dr Luke Reid (BSc (Hons) MSc PhD PGCAPHE SFHEA)

Assistant Professor of Anatomy
E: L.reid2@bsms.ac.uk
Location: Medical School Building (room 3.07c) Biology Road, University of Sussex Falmer BN1 9PX

Area of expertise: Clinical anatomy, embryology, neuroanatomy, fluid dynamics

Research areas: Upper respiratory airflow analysis, Computational fluid dynamics, Clinical and Translational anatomy, Medical education

BACKGROUND IMAGE FOR PANEL

Biography

Dr Luke Reid is Assistant Professor in Anatomy at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS), University of Sussex, and Visiting Lecturer in Anatomy at the Università di Pavia, Italy. He previously served as Interim Head of Anatomy at BSMS and has held academic positions at the University of Dundee, University of St Andrews, and Ross University School of Medicine.

He holds a PhD in Anatomy and Computational Fluid Dynamics from the University of Dundee and an MSc in Human Anatomy from the University of Edinburgh. Prior to joining BSMS in 2024, he was Lecturer in Anatomical Science at the University of Dundee and held a short-term academic post at the University of St Andrews. During this time, he also held an honorary position as a Research Fellow within the NHS Tayside ENT department, contributing anatomical expertise to clinical research and postgraduate surgical training. He is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), recognising sustained leadership and excellence in anatomy education.

Dr Reid’s research integrates anatomical science, biomechanics, and computational modelling to investigate the structure and function of the upper airway, particularly the larynx and supraglottic region. His interdisciplinary work combines cadaveric investigation, experimental measurement, and computational fluid dynamics to advance understanding of airway physiology and clinical interventions. He collaborates internationally with clinicians, engineers, and biomedical scientists.

Also, he currently serves as an Ordinary Councillor, Director, and Trustee of the Anatomical Society, contributes to peer review for leading journals, and is actively engaged in public outreach, media, and professional anatomy education.

Research

Dr Reid’s research focuses on the functional anatomy and biomechanics of the human airway, particularly the larynx and supraglottic structures. His work applies computational fluid dynamics, cadaveric experimentation, and biomechanical analysis to investigate airflow dynamics, tissue behaviour, and clinically relevant anatomical variation. His research contributes to improved understanding of airway obstruction, respiratory physiology, and surgical treatment.

His research areas include:

Computational modelling of airflow, tissue mechanics, and aeroelastic deformation in the upper airway
Anatomical investigation of laryngeal structure and function
Pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction
Clinically relevant anatomical variation and micro-neuroanatomy
Anatomical education research, including digital technologies and simulation

Dr Reid collaborates with researchers in engineering, respiratory medicine, and applied physics at institutions including the University of Sussex, University of Leeds, Bispebjerg Hospital (Denmark), and the University of Dundee. His research has translational applications in clinical diagnosis, surgical planning, and rehabilitation technologies.

BACKGROUND IMAGE FOR PANEL

Teaching

Dr Reid has extensive experience teaching anatomy across undergraduate and postgraduate medicine, dentistry, biomedical science, and engineering programmes. He has held leadership roles in curriculum design, module leadership, and anatomy programme development.

His teaching experience includes:

Module Lead for Phase 1: Immune and Musculoskeletal Systems at Brighton and Sussex Medical School
Current lead for Applied Anatomy teaching within MSc Biomedical Engineering programme
Previous anatomy leadership across otolaryngology, endocrine, gastrointestinal, reproductive, and musculoskeletal systems.
Delivery of lectures, dissection teaching, seminars, and workshops in gross anatomy, histology, embryology, and neuroanatomy
Development of innovative teaching methods incorporating radiology, surface anatomy, body painting, and digital educational tools

Dr Reid has supervised over 80 undergraduate and postgraduate research projects and dissertations. He has received multiple awards and nominations recognising excellence and innovation in anatomy teaching.

His teaching and educational activities extend beyond the university, including delivery of anatomy courses for healthcare professionals, physiotherapists, surgeons, and Ministry of Defence clinicians. He is also actively involved in outreach activities, delivering public lectures, school engagement events, and anatomy demonstrations for various audiences.

Selected publications

Book chapters

Krishnamoorthy K and Reid L (2025) A Review of the Effectiveness and Utility of Digital Resources in Anatomical Education. In: Gröning F (ed.). Enhancing Biomedical Education: Integrating Digital Visualization and 3D Technologies. Springer. ISBN: 978-3-031-73269-0. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-73270-6_2

Reid L (2020) An Introduction to Biomedical Computational Fluid Dynamics. In: Rea PM (ed.) Biomedical Visualisation 10. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology 1334. Springer. ISBN: 978-3-030-76951-2. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-76951-2_10

Selected peer-reviewed journal articles

Owusu-Ayim M, Majumdar S, and Reid L (2025) Is clay modelling an appropriate teaching tool for laryngeal anatomy? A pilot study of 16 medical students. Scottish Medical Journal, 70(3):56-63. DOI: 10.1177/00369330251356670

Reid L and Hayatdavoodi M (2024) Oscillatory airflow through the hypopharyngeal and supraglottic airway. Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering. DOI: /10.1080/10255842.2024.2410234

Reid L, Thougaard J, Price OJ, Hayatdavoodi M, Pendersen L and Walsted E (2024) Application of computational fluid dynamics to investigate pathophysiological mechanisms in exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction. Journal of Applied Physiology. 137(4): 984-994. DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00230.2024

Hall A, Davidson G and Reid L (2024). Bilateral Accessary Flexor Indicis Muscle: A Case Study. Morphologie, 108(360): 100716. DOI: 10.1016/j.morpho.2023.100716
Reid L and Hayatdavoodi M (2025) Hypopharyngeal geometry impact on air-induced load on the supraglottis. Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, 28(2): 254-264. DOI: 10.1080/10255842.2023.2285723

Wang M, Li J, Boga M, Reid L, Li C and Huang Z (2023) Quantitative tissue elasticity measurement of human cadaver oesophagus by using vibrational optical coherence elastography. Applied Sciences, 13(6):3844. DOI: 10.3390/app13063844

Reid L, Hayatdavoodi M and Majumdar S (2023) Airflow through the supraglottis during inspiration. Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, 26(12):1462-1477. DOI: 10.1080/10255842.2022.2121605

Sweeney EM, Beger AW and Reid L (2021) Google Jamboard for virtual anatomy education. Clinical Teacher, 18:341– 347. DOI: 10.1111/tct.13389

Erolin C, Reid L and McDougall S (2019) Using Virtual Reality to Complement and Enhance Anatomy Education. Journal of Visual Communication in Medicine, 42(3): 93-101. DOI: 10.1080/17453054.2019.1597626