Research @ UVA Engineering

Bronislaw Gepner's work at the Center for Applied Biomechanics focuses on finite element modeling, numerical support of experiments, and massively parallel computing. His areas of interest are occupant safety, human body modeling and vehicle crashworthiness.

My research interests span the fields of haptics, computational neuroscience, biomechanics, human–machine interaction, UX/UI, and human factors and ergonomics. We investigate cutaneous and proprioceptive cues that convey an object’s softness, and neural and biomechanical bases of social and emotional touch, and soft tissue manipulation or massage.

My lab uses molecular biomechanics and engineering design to better understand movement of single cells and to improve the treatment of human disease. We also study human learning and use that knowledge to improve the delivery of core courses in biomedical engineering.

Dr. Hartka is currently board certified in Emergency Medicine and works clinically in the Emergency Department. He is also involved in medical student education, resident education, biomechanical instrumentation, and motor vehicle collision analysis.

Brian Helmke researches the relationship between cell mechanics and cell function using new tools in materials science and molecular biology, with a focus on cardiovascular disease. His laboratory employs a multidisciplinary biomedical engineering approach to understand the relationship between intracellular mechanics and cell function.

Dr. Kent is the Frederick Tracy Morse Professor and Chair of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, and Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Virginia, and co-Founder of the UVA Center for Applied Biomechanics.

Prof. Kerrigan's research in injury biomechanics uses data analysis, computational modeling, and mechanical experiments with human tissue to prevent and mitigate injuries to motor vehicle occupants and athletes. Right now he is working on occupant protection for future vehicles, shoe-turf interaction mechanics, and characterizing injury tolerance.

Professor Lagor's current research interests focus on estimation and control for autonomous systems interacting with their fluid environments. He received his Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from the University of Maryland in 2017, prior to which he worked for Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company where he was a Certified Principal Engineer.

Work in the Lazzara Lab employs a combination of experimental and computational methods to study problems in cell signaling, the complex biochemical process cells use to make decisions.