Dr. Philippa Cann

Biography

Philippa Cann is a Principal Research Fellow in the Tribology Group at Imperial College London. Her main research interests include experimental studies of lubrication mechanisms, complex fluids, and advanced experimental methods, especially in the study of bio-lubrication. Cann obtained her degree in Chemistry from King's College London and completed her PhD in Tribology at Imperial College under the supervision of Professor Alistair Cameron. In 2007, she co-established the Biotribology Group, which focuses on implant tribology and the mechanisms of articular cartilage damage and soft contact lubrication. She has collaborated with Professor Justin Cobb and organized the International Conference on Biotribology (ICoBT) at Imperial College, which attracted 200 delegates and showcased a wide range of biotribology research. Cann has published over 120 papers in tribology, particularly focusing on grease lubrication mechanisms in rolling element bearings and synovial fluid lubrication in artificial joints. Notably, she co-authored a paper that won the SAGE Paper Prize in 2012, published in the Journal of Engineering in Medicine, addressing new risk factors in metal-on-metal hip replacements. Cann received the Tribology Trust Silver Medal in 2004 and serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Tribology International.

Research Interests