Meet the team
James Bassitt, Senior Experimental Officer
In his role as Senior Experimental Officer for VSimulators at the University of Exeter, James Bassitt is responsible for implementing the ideas of academic researchers and commercial partners for using the facility. His current role entails maintenance of the platform, developing software for researchers to create bespoke motion environments, supporting grant applications for non-engineering areas, pilot data tests, managing the servers and VR equipment, and running and designing experiments for students.
James helped design the VSimulators facility and the building in which it is housed, getting involved in the initial concept, final commissioning and site acceptance testing of the equipment and building. This entailed complicated design of high-precision equipment and facility installation requiring a high degree of project management and liaison with multiple suppliers.
Garry Massey, Technical Development Officer, Biomedical Research Centre
Following his PhD at Loughborough University, Garry joined the University of Exeter's Technical Services, bringing his knowledge and skills from working in neuromuscular function and biomechanics research laboratories to the Sport and Health Sciences department based at the St Luke’s campus, where for the previous five years, he provided assistance to the teaching and research, specialising in biomechanics.
Now the Technical Development Officer for the NIHR Exeter Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), Garry supports the work of the Human Movement Science group at the University’s VSimulators research facility, and manages the BRC Rehabilitation theme’s use of Faculty of Health and Life Sciences biomechanics equipment and laboratories.
In his work, Garry is involved in research protocol development, data collection and processing, as well as training staff and research students regarding the use of specialist equipment and software (3D motion capture, force platforms, inertial measurement units, electromyography).
James Brownjohn, original Principal Investigator of the Exeter VSimulator
James Brownjohn, the original Principal Investigator of the Exeter VSimulator, is a world-renowned professor within the Vibration Engineering Section at the Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy at the University of Exeter. He has an international reputation in structural health monitoring, with application to real world problems. He is an expert at dynamic analysis, testing and monitoring of large scale civil engineering structures including bridges, buildings, grandstands and staircases.
James helped design the VSimulators facility and the building in which it is housed, getting involved in the initial concept, final commissioning and site acceptance testing of the equipment and building. This entailed complicated design of high-precision equipment and facility installation requiring a high degree of project management and liaison with multiple suppliers.
Professor Aleksandar Pavic, Director of VSimulators
Professor Aleksandar Pavic holds the Chair in Vibration Engineering since 2004 and leads the Vibration Engineering Section in the Engineering discipline. The research group transferred to Exeter in May 2013, after 20 years at the University of Sheffield. His particular expertise is in vibration serviceability of slender civil engineering structures, such as long-span floors, footbridges and grandstands, which are occupied and dynamically excited by humans. He believes that the best laboratory is full-scale, real world with plenty of unique prototypes of large civil engineering structures.
Katy Manning, Administrator
In her role as administrator for the Vibration Engineering Section, including the VSimulators facility, Katy provides administrative, financial and marketing support to the team of academic staff and postgraduate researchers. On the marketing side, her duties include promoting the research group's and facility’s activities through organising promotional visits, managing the websites and social media sites, writing blogs, and supporting the creation and distribution of press releases. Katy also manages the group’s and facility’s budgets, organises meetings, events, and visits to the VSimulators facility, and provides logistical, purchasing and travel support for the group.
