Dr. Roger Haut, University Distinguished Professor, Director of Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratories Dr. Haut received a Ph.D. in Applied Mechanics (Biomechanics) from Michigan State University. In addition to his research, he is an editorial consultant for the Journal of Biomechanics and a member of the ASME Bioengineering Division's Honors Committee. He has received the title of MSU University Distinguished Professor, the 2000 O'Donoghue Award from American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine and has obtained grants from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control for research on blunt knee insults causing post-traumatic osteoarthrosis (1989-2004). Dr. Haut's Curriculum Vitae describes the publications and presentations that cover this research and related orthopaedic biomechanics activities in these laboratories since 1986. Email WebPage
	Jean Atkinson, LVT, Research Assistant Ms. Jean Atkinson is a licensed veterinary technician. Her primary responsibilities are animal care protocols, animal procurement, and daily monitoring of animal health and related research needs. She regularly interfaces with the Michigan State University Laboratory Animal Resources unit (ULAR) in the preparation of research protocols and animal care. Email
	Jane Walsh, Research Histology Technician, Retired Ms. Walsh is a trained research histologist with capabilities for preparing various soft tissue and decalcified hard tissue sections for histological evaluation by associated pathology consultants and graduate students. She also serves as the biological coordinator for the OBL to maintain laboratory equipment and facilities on an independent consultation basis and she interfaces with the MSU Office of Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Safety (ORCBS) in the scheduling of regular training of all laboratory personnel. Email
	Clifford Beckett, Electronic Systems Designer Mr. Beckett has associate degrees in Biomedical Electronic Technology, Computer Electronic Technology, and Electrical Engineering Technology. He regularly assists undergraduate and graduate students in various research projects. Mr. Beckett is responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of all mechanical and electrical/computer equipment in the OBL. Email

Graduate Students

	Tim Baumer, BS, Mechanical Engineering, Michigan State University Mr. Baumer is working towards a MS in Engineering Mechanics, with a great interest in the Biomechanical field. He is currently working on mechanical drop-testing of porcine skulls, which can be used to simulate fracture patterns seen in child abuse cases. He is also involved in several other projects which test the strength of human lower extremities especially relating to hyper-extension in the knee joints leading to ACL tears. Graduation: May 2009 Email
	Jerrod Braman, BS Mechanical Engineering, BS Kinesiology, Michigan State University Mr. Braman is working towards a MS in Mechanical Engineering. His primary focus at the OBL is gait analysis with an emphasis on motion control in shoes. Currently, he is working on several projects involving midsole density variation as well as proprietary technology analysis. Graduation: May 2008 Email
	Nurit Golenberg, BS, Mechanical Engineering, Michigan State University Ms. Golenberg is working towards a MS in Mechanical Engineering, specializing in biomedical engineering. She tests mechanical properties of cartilage after impact and exercise. Additionally, she studies the effect of a neutraceutical on the injury of cartilage. Graduation: August 2009 Email
	Dan Isaac, BS, Mechanical Engineering, Michigan State University Mr. Isaac is working towards a MS in mechanical engineering specializing in Biomedical Engineering. He is involved in the mechanical testing of the tibio-femoral joint of rabbits while also studying the development of long term, chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis. Graduation: December 2008 Email
	Eugene Kepich, MS Mechanical Engineering, Kiev State University Mr. Kepich is working towards his Ph.D. degree in Engineering Mechanics. His current research includes the development of computational models for articular cartilage when subjected to impact loads. Graduation: May 2008 Email
	Eric Meyer, MS Engineering Mechanics (Biomechanics), Michigan State University Mr. Meyer is working towards a PhD in Engineering Mechanics. He has been working in the lab since he was an undergraduate student. His previous research includes the biomechanical response of tissues to various blunt impact orientations on the knee as well as biomechanical comparisons of various veterinary orthopaedic impants for arthrodesis and fracture fixation. Currently, he is investigating lower extremity sports medicine, overuse injuries such as stress fractures and osteoarthritis, and acute injuries such as ACL tears and high ankle sprains. Graduation: May 2008 Email
	Feng Wei, MS Mechanical Engineering, Michigan State University Mr. Wei is working towards his Master degree in Mechanical Engineering. His current research includes designing, performing and analyzing experimentation involving biomechanical tests, biochemical assays and mathematical model analyses on articular cartilage after impact or exercise, investigating orthopaedic mechanical properties of articular cartilage and studying the effect of nutraceuticals, e.g. glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, on injured articular cartilage. Graduation: December 2007 Email

Undergraduate Students

	Arun Mahapatra, Junior, Mechanical Engineering Mr. Mahapatra is working towards a BS in Mechanical Engineering.. He is currently involved in testing the material properties and fracture patterns of the developing porcine skull, as well as numerous other projects at the OBL. Graduation: May 2009 Email
	Greg Schafer, Senior, Mechanical Engineering Mr. Schafer is working towards a BS in Mechanical Engineering. He is involved with the redesigning of the shoe flexion testing apparatus as well as designing of the thermal sweating foot manikin in the Gait Analysis Laboratory. Graduation: December 2007 Email
	Marc Schlaud, Senior, Materials Science and Engineering Mr. Schlaud is working towards a BS in Materials Science and Engineering. His current projects include working with chemical assays, researching the chemical compositions of various biological substances, such as proteoglycans. Graduation: May 2008 Email

Recent Graduates

	Sam Leitkam, BS, Mechanical Engineering, Michigan State University Mr. Leitkam completed his BS in Mechanical Engineering with a Biomedical Cognate in May 2007. His primary role was to help design, model and build a portable mechanism to test the effects of varying surfaces on high ankle sprains. He also assisted in an ACL knee impact study. Email
	Carmen Gacchina, BS, Materials Science & Engineering, Michigan State University Ms. Gacchina completed her BS in Materials Science & Engineering, specializing in biomaterials and biomedical engineering, in May 2006. She is currently working towards a MS degree at Clemson University. She tested the effects of exercise and a nutraceutical on injured cartilage. She also analyzed the variations in chemical composition, mechanical properties, and histology. Email
	Michael Sinnott, MS Mechanical Engineering, Michigan State University Mr. Sinnott completed his MS in Mechanical Engineering in May, 2006. He investigated the effects of various types of bone and joint fixation techniques, in collaboration with the College of Veterinary Medicine. Mr. Sinnott previously served as a technical assistant to Clifford Beckett, assisting him in the design, construction, and maintenance of selected mechanical and electrical/computer equipment. Email
	Lynn Martin, MS Engineering Mechanics, Michigan State University Ms. Martin completed her MS in Mechanical Engineering in 2005. She is currently working for Abbott Laboratories. Ms. Martin's research involved the investigation of glucosamine effects on the strength of cartilage in the patellofemoral joint under traumatic loading situations. She also examined the significance of regular exercise on joint cartilage strength under impact loading. Email
	Steven Rundell, MS Engineering Mechanics, Michigan State University Mr. Rundell completed his MS in Engineering Mechanics in 2005 from Michigan State University. He is currently an Engineer at Exponent Failure Analysis Associates in Philadelphia. He has experience in several areas including biological materials testing, tissue mechanics, experimental mechanics, finite element modeling, and dynamics. He currently uses his knowledge of biomechanics to determine mechanisms of injury occurring from a wide range of accidents. Mr. Rundell also participates in orthopaedic medical device consulting. Email

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