Division of Biomechanics

Note For the Current Academic Year:

Incoming PhD students should refer to the Integrated Biomedical Sciences section of this catalog. The following information is intended for incoming MS students, current MS and current PhD students. Questions about the future plans should be directed to the program director.

Biomechanics: Philosophy

The Master of Science in Biomechanics program is designed to educate bioengineers in a clinical setting who will participate in the conduct of research to improve orthopedic care. Graduates of this program can collaborate with other researchers to perform high-quality, up-to-date research in orthopedic biomechanics at colleges and universities, government agencies and orthopedicrelated industries. Graduates can also use this as a stepping stone towards obtaining a PhD degree in Biomechanics after gaining appreciable practical experience either in the orthopedic industry or research institutions conducting high-quality musculoskeletal biomechanics research. Students in the program will work with faculty and scientists from different divisions at Rush University such as division of Biomechanics, Biochemistry, Anatomy, Physiology and Molecular Biophysics to learn essential skills in research methods, data analysis and descriptive and inferential statistics applied to the biological and engineering aspects of musculoskeletal biomechanics. The program of study involves formal courses in biomechanics, biomaterials, anatomy, tissue and cell biology, research methods and biostatistics. As a part of the program, students must complete a research project
that culminates in a thesis.

Specific objectives of the program are to: 1) train bioengineers in the application of biomechanics to clinically related musculoskeletal problems through “bench to bedside and back again” research that improves orthopedic care; 2) provide bioengineers with core competencies needed for the design and analyses of clinical biomechanical problems in the field of orthopedics; and 3) provide bioengineers the foundation that is needed to assume professional leadership roles in a variety of settings for research and design in the area of orthopedic biomechanics.

The master’s degree is very much a viable diploma, independent of the PhD qualification. Local industry leaders and employers have reported through interview with faculty in our Graduate College that they have a greater need for MS-prepared individuals to work in their laboratories. Graduates of the Master’s program will be qualified to work in orthopedic related industries, hospitals, government and nonprofit agencies to assist in the design of biomechanical devices and evaluate their effectiveness. MS graduates are more likely to assume positions in industry.

Biomechanics: Faculty Research Interests

Dr. Alejandro Espinoza develops methods to analyze joint/spine motion and loading patterns in both normal populations as well as in those altered by degenerative conditions such as arthritis/disc degeneration or aging. His research focuses on analysis of structure-function relationships in bone and joints.

Dr. Nadim James Hallab is director of the Biomaterials Laboratory and is interested in the biocompatibility of orthopedic implants. He investigates: 1) implant debris, both ions, particles and metal-protein complexes, 2) implant degradation from corrosion and wear of modular junctions, 3) immune reactivity to implant debris, 4) cell toxicity responses to implant debris, 5) potentiodynamic surface optimization for directing cell bioreactivity, and 6) novel implant fixation and surgical techniques using in vitro mechanical testing.

Dr. Nozomu Inoue works on spine biomechanics, specifically the biomechanics of spinal surgery and the effect of degenerative changes of discs and facet joints on segmental instability and motion. Currently his major research areas are development of 3D medical image-based computer models for quantitative analyses of spinal alignment and facet kinematics.

Dr. Joshua J. Jacob’s interest is in analyzing biocompatibility of permanent orthopedic implants; corrosion and wear of metallic biomaterials; clinical performance of joint replacement devices.

Dr. Hannah Lundberg combines novel computational and experimental modalities to better represent joint (natural and implant) function in vivo and improve surgical outcomes. Current emphasis is on using computer modeling to predict total knee replacement forces and behavior during everyday life.

Dr. Mathew Mathew’s interest is in corrosion and tribocorrosion of biomaterials. Tribocorrosion is a combined study of wear and corrosion and their synergistic interactions in relation to orthopedic implants, particularly hip prostheses. The study has significant implications on the patients with implants, which are exposed to mechanical articulation and under adverse chemical in-vivo environment (infections, varying pH levels etc). He is also a Research Assistant Professor at College of Dentistry, UIC. Chicago. He leading the tribocorrosion research in dentistry (Dental Implants and Temporomadibular Joints (TMJ)) and actively involved in the Institute of Biomaterials, Tribocorrosion and Nano-medicine (IBTN).

Dr. Raghu Natarajan’s interest is in the development of Finite Element models of hip and knee joints as well as models of both lumbar and cervical spines. His current modeling activity includes development of models of lumbar spine with varying degree of degenerative disease and understand how adjacent disc disease progresses in patients.

Dr. Vincent Wang uses biomechanical, imaging and extracellular matrix biologic approaches in animal models to study mechanisms of tendinopathy. Particular emphasis is placed on the roles of ADAMTS enzymes in aberrant matrix remodeling as well as the potential therapeutic benefit of mechanical loading in promoting tendon healing.

Dr. Markus Wimmer investigates the effects of load and motion in human joints. Using both gait analysis and in vitro simulation, he studies wear and lubrication of natural and artificial joints. He is working on a better understanding of the degradation mechanisms in vivo, and trying to enhance preclinical wear testing methods.