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Former M.S. and Ph.D. Students

The Occupational Ergonomics and Biomechanics Labs have 38 former Ph.D. students and 29 former Master's students.

*SBES = School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences

Former Ph.D. Students

Seyed Saman Madinei (2021, ISE) Biomechanical analysis and modeling of back-support exoskeletons use in manual material handling tasks, System Engineer (human Factors & Ergonomics), Boeing, Redmond, WA. LinkedIn.

Jessica Aviles (2021, SBES*) “From Lab to Outdoors: The Effects of Terrain, Environment, Amputation level, and Prosthetic Knee Type on Gait," Post Doc, Clemson University, Clemson, SC.

Jangho Park (2021, ISE) "Assessing the effects of exoskeleton use on balance and postural stability," Post Doc, Clemson University, Clemson, SC.

Leigh Allin (2020, SBES*) “Identification and modification of risk factors contributing to slip- and trip-induced falls," Biomechanics Associate, Exponent, Inc., Phoenix, AZ.

Sophia Ulman (2019) “Gait variability for predicting individual performance in military-relevant tasks, Assistant Director, Movement Science Lab, Scottish Rite for Children Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center, Frisco, TX. LinkedIn.

Kristine Cantin-Garside (2019) “Behavioral Monitoring to Identify Self-Injurious Behavior among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Data Scientist, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson, Raritan, NJ. LinkedIn

Mohammad Iman Mokhlespour Esfahani (2018) “Development and Assessment of Smart Textile Systems for Human Activity Classification," Senior Ergonomics Engineer, Amazon, Seattle, WA. LinkedIn

Saad Alabdulkarim (2017) “Assessing the relationship between occupational injury risk and performance: the efficacy of adding adjustability and using exoskeletons in the context of a simulated drilling task,” Assistant Professor, Industrial Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. LinkedIn

Alireza Sedighi (2017) “Applications of motor variability for assessing repetitive occupational tasks,” Senior Data Scientist, Socure Inc., New York City, NY. LinkedIn

Ehsan Rashedi (2015) “Localized Muscle Fatigue: Theoretical and Practical Aspects in Occupational Environments,” Assistant Professor, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology. LinkedIn

Xuefang Wu (Co-chair M. Madigan, 2015) “Toward understanding factors affecting falls among individual who are obese,” Device Development Engineer, Pharmaceutical company.

Ralph Cullen (2014) “Multimodal Multitasking: The Combined Effects of Postural and Cognitive Demands on Overall Workload,” User Experience Researcher, State Farm, Atlanta, GA. LinkedIn

Marc Christian (2014) “Biomarkers of Physiological Damage and their Potential for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorder Risk Assessment,” Ergonomics Specialist, BMW Group, Munich, Germany.

Courtney A. Webster (2013, SBES*) “Effects of running speed, fatigue, and bracing on motor control of chronically unstable ankles,” Biomechanics Post-Doc, HRED Army Research Lab, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. LinkedIn

Khoirul Muslim (2013) “Traditional posterior load carriage: ergonomic assessment and intervention efficacy,” Assistant Professor, Bandung Institute of Technology, Bandung, Indonesia. LinkedIn

Bochen Jia (2013) “Influence of prolonged sitting and psychosocial stress on lumbar spine kinematics, kinetics, discomfort, and muscle fatigue,” Associate Professor, Industrial & Manufacturing Systems Engineering, University of Michigan – Dearborn. LinkedIn

Nima Toosizadeh (2013) “Time-dependent assessment of the human lumbar spine in response to flexion exposures: in vivo measurement and modeling,” Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona. LinkedIn

Hongbo Zhang (co-chair M. Agnew, 2013) “Developing and evaluating new methods for assessing postural control and dynamics,” Assistant Professor, Department of Computer and Information Science, Virginia Military Institute. LinkedIn

Jung Yong Lee (2013) “Quantifying the effects of experience on motor behaviors during simulated occupational tasks,” Senior Engineering Researcher, Product UX Strategy Team, Hyundai Motor Company, Seoul, South Korea. LinkedIn

Sunwook Kim (2012) “Development and evaluation of methods to assess physical exposures in the workplace,” Research Assistant Professor, Industrial & Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech. ResearchGate, Google Scholar

Bradford Hendershot (2012, SBES*) “Alterations and asymmetries in trunk mechanics and neuromuscular control among persons with lower-limb amputation: exploring potential pathways of low back pain,” Sr. Research Biomedical Engineer, DOD/VA Extremity Trauma and Amputation Center of Excellence (EACE) and Director, Biomechanics and Virtual Reality Labs, WRNMMC. LinkedIn

Lora Cavuoto (2012) “Evaluating obesity-related differences in upper extremity and trunk muscular capacity,” Associate Professor, Industrial & Systems Engineering, University at Buffalo. LinkedIn

Ranjana Mehta (2011) “Interactive effects of physical and mental workload: a study of muscle function, capacity and exertion type.,” Associate Professor, Environmental and Occupational Health, Texas A&M University. ResearchGate

Linsey Barker Steege (2009) “Measuring and modeling the effects of fatigue on performance: Specific application to the nursing profession,” Associate Professor, School of Nursing, University of Wisconsin – Madison. LinkedIn

Myrna Callison (2009) “Identification, evaluation and control of physically demanding patient-handling tasks in an acute care facility,” OHS Portfolio Executive Officer, Assistant Chief, Army Medical Specialist Corps, US Army Public Health Command, Baltimore, MD. LinkedIn

Gyouhyung Kyung (2008) “An integrated human factors approach to design and evaluation of the driver workspace and interface: Driver perceptions, behaviors, and objective measures,” Professor, Division of Media, Culture and Design Technology, College of Computing, Hanyang University, South Korea. LinkedIn

Xingda Qu (2008) “Development and evaluation of postural control models for lifting motions and balance control,” Professor, College of Mechatronics and Control Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.

Martin Tanaka (2008) "Biodynamic analysis of human torso stability using finite time Lyapunov exponents," Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director, Department of Engineering and Technology, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC. LinkedIn

Deborah E. Dickerson (2007) "Evaluation of dust control technologies for drywall finishing operations: industry implementation trends, worker perceptions, effectiveness and usability," Associate Professor, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA. LinkedIn

Shane McLaughlin (2007, co-advisor with T. Dingus) "Analytic assessment of collision avoidance systems and driver dynamic performance in rear-end crashes and near-crashes," Research Scientist, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, Blacksburg, VA.

Laura Hughes Ikuma (2007, co-advisor with K. Babski-Reeves) "The influence of multiple risk factors on WMSD risk and evaluation of measurement methods used to assess risks," Associate Professor, Mechanical & Industrial Engineering Department, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA. LinkedIn

Yassierli (2005) "Muscle fatigue during isometric and dynamic efforts in shoulder abduction and torso extension: age effects and alternative electromyographic measures," Professor, Department of Industrial Engineering, Bandung Institute of Technology, Bandung, Indonesia.

Miguel Perez (2005) "Prediction of whole-body lifting kinematics using artificial neural networks," Center Director, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, Blacksburg, VA. LinkedIn

Hardianto Iridiastadi (2003) "Localized muscle fatigue during isotonic and nonisotonic isometric efforts," Associate Professor, Department of Industrial Engineering, Bandung Institute of Technology, Bandung, Indonesia.

Angela DiDomenico (2003) "An investigation on subjective assessments of workload and postural stability under conditions of joint mental and physical demands," Human Factors / Biomechanics Expert, ARCCA Incorporated, Penns Park, PA. LinkedIn


Former Master's Students

Sydney Kelley (2023) “Investigating the Relationship Between Objective and Subjective Measures of Physical Demand During Passive Exoskeleton Use,” Ergonomics Engineer, Cintas.

Stephen Dooley (2023) “Effects of Occupational Exoskeletons on Responses to Simulated Slips and Trips,” Associate Consultant, Groundswell.

Laith Abuhaija (2021) "The Effect of Mental Fatigue on Risk of Falling," Human Factors Engineer, Sonalysts, Inc.

Youngjae Lee (2019) “Effects of Fall Technique Training on Impact Forces when Falling from Standing,” Ph.D. Student, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech.

Denean M. Kelson (2018) “Muscle Activation Patterns and Chronic Neck-Shoulder Pain in Computer Work,” Ph.D. Student, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech.

Navaneeta Dorbala (2012) “Quantification of Cumulative Load on the Knee using a Vibration Emission Method,” Support Engineer, Intergraph. LinkedIn

Anuj D. Mistry (2011) “Effects of Yoga on Low Back Stability, Strength and Endurance,” Certification Engineer, Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute.

Robin Littlejohn (co-chair K.L. Babski-Reeves; 2008) "Thermographic assessment of the forearm during data entry tasks: a reliability study," Graduate Student Researcher, National Center for Human Factors Engineering in Healthcare. LinkedIn

Ravi Kant (co-chair K.L. Babski-Reeves; 2007) "Effect of work exposure on maximum acceptable repetition rates in a manual torquing task," Senior Engineer, Patni Computer Systems Ltd, Mumbai, India.

Renate Van Zandwijk (Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam; 2006) "Reliability of COP- and COM-based measures and relative sensitivity to induced localized muscle fatigue," Doctoral Candidate, Excercise Science, The University of Texas at Austin. LinkedIn

Andrea Krausman (2004) "Effects of chemical protective clothing on task performance using wearable input devices," Research Psychologist, U.S. Army Research Lab, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD and Doctoral Student, Virginia Tech.

Deepti Sood (2004) "Predicting shoulder fatigue for long durations using psychophysical measures obtained from short trials," Senior Process Engineer, GLOBALFOUNDRIES, Hopewell Junction, NY.

Kris Hager (2003) "Reliability of fatigue measures in an overhead work task: a study of shoulder muscle electromyography and perceived discomfort," Associate Director, Hepatitis C Marketing, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Greater New York City area, NY. LinkedIn

Kim Sherman (2003) "An evaluation of fatigue and performance changes during intermittent overhead work," Lean Leader, Tesla Motor, Fremont, CA. LinkedIn

Hope Johnson Nesteruk (2001) "Strength and subjective limits for repetitive manual insertion tasks," Human Factors Engineer, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Rockville, MD. LinkedIn

Greg Edwards (2000, Co-chair W. Barfield) "Performance and usability of force feedback and auditory substitutions in a virtual environment manipulation task," Human Factors Engineer, AT&T Labs, Austin, TX. LinkedIn

Andrew Lang (2000) "The correlation between biomechanical loads and psychophysical ratings," Principal Human Factors Engineer, Bombardier Transportation, Pittsburgh, PA. LinkedIn

Angela DiDomenico (1999) "Finger force capability: measurement and prediction using anthropometric and myoelectric measures," Human Factors / Biomechanics Expert, ARCCA Incorporated, Penns Park, PA. LinkedIn

Miguel Perez (1999) "Empirical evaluation of models used to predict torso muscle recruitment patterns," Center Director, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, Blacksburg, VA. LinkedIn

Margaret Kirst Lanza (1999) "Effects of tool weight on fatigue and performance during short cycle overhead work operations," Director of Operations and Engineering, Robert Bosch, Charleston, SC. LinkedIn

Noris Torres (1998) "Effects of training in modifying work methods and behaviors during common patient handling activities," Vice President and Health Systems Engineer, CIRACET Corp, Ponce, Puerto Rico. LinkedIn