Research
On-Going Research
Multi-scale Modeling of the Lumbar Spine During Manual Lifting
Back pain affects a large percentage of the general population and is one of the major causes for lost workdays. My work uses non-invasive methods to analyze and predict spine biomechanics to identify lifting strategies that may reduce low back pain risk during manual material handling tasks. I use a multi-scale modeling approach that incorporates motion analysis, musculoskeletal modeling, and finite element analysis.
Previous Research
The ability to measure metabolic energy expenditure (MEE) can provide great insight into how efficient we are when performing tasks. In this project, we improved a joint-space-based metabolic energy consumption model that uses kinematics and kinetics to calculate MEE. In addition, we compared this model to other types of MEE models that are popularly used in the literature.
MEE model comparison during level, uphill, and downhill walking
Maximum Lifting Prediction
The ability to predict the maximum weight that an individual can safely lift would be greatly useful for injury prevention, especially as humans tend to overestimate their body’s strength. I was responsible for the experimental data processing and analysis in a collaborative work where we use multi-objective optimization to predict a safe maximum load during symmetric (2D, 3D) and asymmetric lifting.
3D Asymmetric Maximum Weight Lifting
Box Lifting Task
Co-Advised Undergraduate Projects
Hand grip function while lifting objects is essential for performing everyday tasks. The box and block test (BBT) has been used to assess hand-grip function and dexterity. As the co-advisor of two undergraduate researchers (one of whom was a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates student), we worked on a project where we investigated how performance during the BBT was affected by introducing heavier objects and different shapes. Our findings indicate that shape had a significant effect on BBT performance.
Cycling is a popular recreational activity that has great benefits to our overall health. However, some health concerns in men, including erectile dysfunction (ED) and genital numbness, have been raised. In this work, I co-advised three undergraduate students in a project where we compared perineal pressure distribution between three cycling saddles using a pressure sensor mat.