David Cunningham, Ph.D., P.Eng.

Electro-Mechanical Equipment Research & Development Engineer • August 2024 — Present

• Led and coordinated cross-functional engineering and operations teams, driving strategic development and scale-up of Actinium-225 isotope manufacturing.
• Designed custom tooling using ANSYS simulations to optimize safety-critical radiochemical processes and reduce operational risks.
• Planned and executed experimental test programs integrating radiological safety, process control, and statistical quality methods.
• Implemented active source test loops with health physics teams, reducing radiological exposure and improving safety margins.
• Applied ISO 9001, CSA N299, BTH-1, and ASME Section VIII standards to ensure compliance and system reliability.
• Advanced nuclear medicine supply chains by developing novel methodologies for isotope production.
• Conducted investigative testing of advanced heat exchangers for molten salt reactors, qualifying AM components for next-gen nuclear use.
• Performed SEM microstructural analysis, dimensional inspections, and mechanical testing of prototypes.
• Authored R&D proposals, business cases, and cost estimates; presented strategic recommendations and technical findings to executive leadership and regulatory bodies to inform decision-making.
• Specialized expertise - FEA of impact/drop scenarios, Ogden-model hyperelastic foams, irradiation/failure analyses, and high-reliability nuclear equipment.

Research and Development Engineer (EIT) • May. 2020 — Present

• Developed high-fidelity implicit finite element(FE) models for the evaluation of shoulder implant performance during physiological loading.
• Created Python programs for the automated generation of varying stemless RTSA designs, the automatic FE joint model setup (bone geometry creation, implant positioning, partitioning, meshing, and analysis setup) and for the complex post-processing of analysis results; facilitating a thorough evaluation of bone anatomy behaviours and implant performance of different models.
• Responsible for supervising and coordinating orthopaedics prosthetic research, including data analysis and interpretation using both machine learning and conventional statistics approaches.
• Developed custom experimental loading software for actuation of novel loading devices for the in-vitro evaluation of prosthetics.
• Designed and implemented high-resolution machine vision cameras, paired with digital tracking software for micromotion analysis of implants.
• Developed experimental testing protocols for the new gold-standard evaluation of novel implant designs.
• Designed and wrote an automatic loading planning software for anatomically-relevant joint loading experimental simulation, with synchronized data collection using NI-Max libraries.
• Demonstrated accomplished research abilities through grants awarded, high-standard academic publications and international conference presentations. Leveraged and integrated 3-D rendering and interactive plotting into public communications.

Mechanical Repair Technician • June. 2020 — Present

• Performed welding, fabrication, and modification of automotive and shop floor components to meet functional and safety requirements.
• Repaired, replaced, and procured automotive parts and assemblies, priortizing reliability and cost-effective sourcing.
• Designed and fabricated custom vehicle systems, including snowplow and motor mounting arrangements.
• Performed inspections and safety compliance checks under licensed supervision, adhering to Ontario regulations and standards.
• Collaborated with licensed technicians to ensure all work met quality, safety, and performance requirements.

Teaching Assistant • Sept. 2020 — Present

• Biomechanics of the MSK System - MME 4469B , an advanced course on the evaluation of biomechanical osseous and soft tissue mechanics.
• Mechanical Components Design - MME 3380B , a mid-level course on the engineering analysis of mechanical components.
• Product Design and Development - MME 2259A, an introductory course on SolidWorks modelling and best-practice engineering design.
• Finite Element Methods - MME 9612L, a graduate introductory course on Finite Element Analysis methods and practical application of same.
• Engineering Experimentation - MME 2285B, a mid-level course on experimental planning and design.
• Industrial Materials - MME 2260A, a mid-level course on industrial material manufacturing processes.

Mechanical Reliability Engineering EIT • Janurary. 2019 — Aug. 2019

• Implementation and design of condition monitoring plans for NOVA manufacturing east facilities.
• Vibration analysis and preventative maintenance plan response using AMS Machinery Health.
• Research, project planning, and implementation of Emerson Triaxial Accelerometer technology into NOVA condition monitoring program.
• Structural auditing, level of safety design, and modification of existing high-pressure rotating equipment.
• Gas testing, radiation testing, troubleshooting and repair of rotating equipment as per OSHA, API, and NOVA standards.

Polyethylene Engineering and Capital Engineering EIT • May. 2018 — January. 2019

• Design of pressure vessels, high pressure piping, and associated components as per ASME B31.3 and ASME Sec. VIII Div. 1 standards.
• Engineering design and documentation using MicroStation V7, V8, and pressure vessel design and piping stress analysis and design using CAEPIPE, CAESAR II, and PVElite.
• Research, budget, and design implementation of various high pressure devices including heat exchangers, tubesheet filters, pulsation dampeners and other safety-critical equipment.
• Equipment specification and stocking requirements using SAP. Performed low temperature embrittlement assessments and issued construction work packages for capital andmajor maintenance projects.

Manufacturing Engineering Systems Designer & Line/Inventory Specialist • Janurary. 2019 — Aug. 2019

• Worked closely with department leadership to identify barriers in the pilot meter program.
• Developed pilot unit scheduling software for the continuous improvement of the pilot meter program.
• Reviewed operating procedures throughout the 6-Sigma plant, presenting potential improvements to engineering groups in accordance with Six-Sigma best practice approaches.
• Adhered to 5S, KanBan, One Piece Flow, Poka-yoke and Jidoka best practices during assembly and testing of high-accuracy electrical monitoring equipment.
• Operated conformal coating machinery for the heat-treating of environmentally-sensitive circuitry.

Western University

Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering • 2020 — 2024

Graduating average: 91.1%

Ph.D. Dissertation: An Analysis of Primary Stability of Stemless Humeral Implants in Shoulder Arthroplasty

Western University

B.E.Sc. Mechanical and Materials Engineering w/ Professional Internship • 2015 — 2020

• 2020 Dean's Honour List
• 2018 Dean's Honour List
• 2016 Dean's Honour List

Graduating average: 90.4%

Undergraduate Thesis: Effectiveness of Analogue Bone Materials in Glenoid Baseplate Fixation Studies

An Analysis of Primary Stability of Stemless Humeral Implants in Shoulder Arthroplasty (Sole Author)

University of Western Ontario Thesis and Dissertation Repository • May 2024

PDF of Article

Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) - $15,000

Ontario Provincial Scholarship • May 2023 — present

Western Graduate Research Scholarship (WGRS-MME)

Western University • May 2020 — present

Western Graduate Research Grant (WGRA-GMME)

Western University • May 2020 — present

Establishing a Framework for Advanced Manufacturing of a Molten Salt Reactor Heat Exchanger Using Powder Bed Fusion and Direct Energy Deposition

Presenting Author • 2025

Cunningham D, Sansoucy E, Read S, Waldbillig D. Establishing a Framework for the Advanced Manufacturing of a Molten Salt Reactor Heat Exchanger Using Powder Bed Fusion and Direct Energy Deposition (2025). Canadian Nuclear Society – Disruptive, Innovative, and Emerging Technologies Conference, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Evaluating the Effect of Simulating Extreme Physiological Loads in the Evaluation ofStemless Reverse Humeral Component Fixation

Presenting Author • 2023

Cunningham D, Lanoghr D, Athwal GS. Johnson JA. Evaluating the Effect of Simulating Extreme Physiological Loads on Interface Fixation of Stemless Reverse Humeral Component Fixation (2023). 34th International Congress of the International Society for Technology in Arthroplasty, New York City, New York, USA.

Evaluating the Effect of Neck Shaft Angle on Stemless Reverse Humeral Component Fixation

Presenting Author • 2023

Cunningham D, Spangenberg GW, Lanoghr D, Athwal GS, Johnson JA. Evaluating the Effect of Neck Shaft Angle on Stemless Reverse Humeral Component Fixation (2023). 34th International Congress of the International Society for Technology in Arthroplasty, New York City, New York, USA.

Evaluating the Effect of Varying Neck Shaft Angle in Reverse Humeral Component Fixation

Presenting Author • 2023

Cunningham D, Spangenberg GW, Lanoghr D, Athwal GS, Johnson JA. Evaluating the Effect of Neck Shaft Angle in Stemless Reverse Humeral Component Fixation (2023). Annual CORS Conference, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Evaluating the Effect of Anatomical Loading Scenarios on the Fixation Evaluation of Glenoid Implants

Presenting Author • 2022

Cunningham D, Fleet C, Ferguson D, Athwal G, Johnson J. Evaluating the Effect of Anatomical Loading Scenarios on the Fixation Evaluation of Glenoid Implants (2022). 33rd International Congress of the International Society for Technology in Arthroplasty, Maui, Hawaii, USA.

Evaluating the Effect of Varying Force Profiles on the Stress Analyses of Shoulder Humeral Implants

Presenting Author • 2022

Cunningham D, Spangenberg G, Langohr D, Athwal G, Johnson J. Evaluating the Effect of Varying Force Profiles on the Stress Analyses of Shoulder Humeral Implants (2022). Annual CORS Conference, Québec City, Québec, Canada.

Evaluating Micromotion Measurements in Orthopaedic Implants Relative to Bone

Presenting Author • 2022

Cunningham D, Fleet C, Athwal G, Johnson J. Evaluating Micromotion Measurements in Orthopaedic Implants Relative to Bone (2022). Annual CORS Conference, Québec City, Québec, Canada.

Evaluating the Efficacy of Measuring Implant-bone Fixation Methods in the Evaluation of Orthopaedic Implants

Presenting Author • 2022

Cunningham D, Athwal G, Johnson J. Evaluating the Efficacy of Measuring Implant-bone Fixation Methods in the Evaluation of Orthopaedic Implants (2022). 5th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Bone and Joint Conference, London, Ontario, Canada (Online).

Evaluating the Effect of a Plan-Rerun Approach in the FE Evaluation of Orthopaedic Prosthetics

Author • 2022

Cunningham D. Evaluating the Effect of a Plan-Rerun Approach in the FE Evaluation of Orthopaedic Prosthetics (2022). Impact Biomechanics in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Western Ontario., London, Ontario, Canada (In-print).

Development of an Automated Test Bed to Assess the Performance of Shoulder Implants

Presenting Author • 2022

Cunningham D, Athwal G, Johnson J. Development of an Automated Test Bed to Assess the Performance of Shoulder Implants (2022). Lawson Health Research Day, London, Ontario, Canada (Online).

General Data Presentation Examples, Misc Presentations

Creator • Present

These figures are examples of different kinds of interactive plots that I have used during a variety of presentations.

UWO Online Diagnosis Tool for Eating Distoders, UWO Department of Psychology

Creator • Present

This web-based survey application was developed as a clinical tool to analyze and report on the patient-specific psychological factors contributing to individual eating disorders.

Engineering Tools

SOLIDWORKS CAD Design Associate (CSWA), SolidWorks Simulation Associate (CSWA-S)

Leadership Tools

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt

Laboratory

WHIMIS 2024, Biosafety, Laboratory Safety and Hazardous Waste Management, Worker Health and Safety

Education

Responding to Disclosures of Sexual Violence on Campus (Extended), Supporting Disclosures of GBSV, AODA - Accessibility in Teaching, Teaching and Mental Health, Western Safe Campus Community

Other

G License, M License, Smart Serve, PADI Open Water, BoatSmart, WhiteSail

Bone and Joint Research - Best Poster Award

Canadian Bone and Joint Conferance • 2022

Awarded

8th Place - Men's Classic Physique

CPA King Kong Natural Classic, Toronto, ON • 2025

Awarded - Eighth Place (International Competition Qualification)

Silver Medal - Men's Classic Physique

CPA President's Cup, Toronto, ON • 2023

Awarded - Second Place (National Competition Qualification)

Silver Medal - Men's Classic Physique

Natural Stephanie Worsfold Classic, London, ON • 2022

Awarded - Second Place (National Competition Qualification)

Gold Medal - Senior Men 66kg 4+

Canadian Secondary Schools Rowing Association, Cambridge, ON • 2015

Awarded - First Place

Royal Conservatory of Music

Classical Violinist • 2004 — Present

Grade 10 RCM.

CPA Bodybuilding

Canadian Physique Alliance Bodybuilding • 2015 — Present

Men’s Classic Physique category.

Engineering Simplicity - Youtube Channel

Content Creator • 2020 — Present

Tutorials on the use of clinical research tools.