Andrea De Marchi

Academic qualifications

BSc Physiotherapy, MSc Manual Therapy

Email

ADeMarchi@ucb.ac.uk

"I’ve worked as a physiotherapist since 2010, gaining experience in private practice and sport in both Italy and England. I’ve worked with elite sports organisations including Wolverhampton Wanderers FC Academy and Birmingham Moseley RFC and I currently collaborate with British Judo and TASS."

I’m an experienced physiotherapist with a particular interest in sport injury management, concussion care, and innovation through AI. I predominantly teach our BSc Sports Therapy course, bringing clinical expertise from my work in Italy and the UK.

From 2019 to 2025, I served as Senior Physiotherapist at the University of Birmingham Performance Centre, where I managed a diverse caseload of elite athletes, sportspeople, and patients with musculoskeletal and vestibular conditions. One of my most significant achievements was setting up and leading the university’s concussion clinic service, supporting over 100 athletes through recovery with a strong multidisciplinary and research-linked approach.

I’ve worked with sports organisations including Wolverhampton Wanderers FC Academy, Birmingham Moseley RFC, and I currently work as a physiotherapy contractor supporting different organisations such as British Judo and the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS). My academic roles at the University of Birmingham include Visiting Lecturer, Assessor, Mentor, and Part-Time Teaching Fellow.

I also participated as a researcher within a project led by Prof. Sam Lucas, on saliva and blood biomarkers for Concussion Diagnosis and Management, which had some of its early findings presented at the European College of Sport Science’s 2025 congress. I’m currently working on a research pilot on implementing AI-based coaching in our teaching practice.

I’m a member of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), the Musculoskeletal Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (MACP), and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). I also hold additional certifications, including NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), I’m a McKenzie Credentialed Therapist (Cred MDT) and I hold the Lubas Sports Trauma Management certification. These qualifications reflect my commitment to continuous learning and development.

I’m passionate about evidence-based and innovative practice, and about mentoring future clinicians while driving research at the interface of sport, health, and technology. I encourage my students to be proactive at university and to turn their challenges into opportunities.

Outside of work, I enjoy playing football, cooking, staying active, and exploring how AI can enhance productivity and learning. My mantra comes from a Kobe Bryant interview I once watched: “Failure doesn’t exist as long as you learn from the experience”. Finally, something unexpected about me is that I once worked at Disney World in Florida… though not as Mickey Mouse!