Directory

Dr. Smith is a research scientist in the Biomedical Engineering Department who brings expertise in computational modeling, movement biomechanics and dynamic imaging. His research investigates the role of loading in the musculoskeletal system during full body movements on the development and successful treatment of orthopedic pathologies. He received his B.S. from Clemson University, and M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Mechanical Engineering. He was previously a visiting scholar to the National Center for Simulation in Rehabilitation Research at Stanford University and the Human Movement Biomechanics Lab at Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Belgium. Prior to joining SPRI, Dr. Smith was a research fellow in the Laboratory for Movement Biomechanics at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, where he led two research teams focused on computational simulation of knee loading and developing implantable sensor to measure tendon strain.

Dr. Smith’s research program leverages novel sensing, imaging and simulation technologies in the SPRI Biomotion and Robotic laboratories to investigate the movement of musculoskeletal joints (hip, knee, shoulder, etc.) and loading of soft tissues (muscles, ligaments, cartilage) during functional movements. His research focuses on the role of mechanical loading in the development and progression of osteoarthritis and improving orthopedic surgical techniques and rehabilitation protocols. He is the developer of OpenSim-JAM (Joint and Articular Mechanics), an award-winning open-source software framework for predicting the effect of orthopedic treatments on musculoskeletal joint loading and function.

While he is waiting on his simulations to converge, you will find Dr. Smith taking advantage of the Colorado backcountry. Ask about his favorite local spots for backcountry skiing, mountain biking, tennis, and golf.

Publications

Honors and Awards
S.M. Perren Research Award (2022)
-27th Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics, Porto, Portugal

Mimics Innovation Award: Americas Region (2019)

American Society of Biomechanics Young Scientist Pre-doctoral Award (2017)
-41th Annual Meeting American Society of Biomechanics, Boulder, CO, USA

Andrzej Komor New Investigator Award (2017)
-16th International Symposium on Computer Simulation in Biomechanics,
Gold Coast, Australia

McCaig Institute First Prize for Trainee Presentation (2015)
-13th International Symposium Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, Montreal, Canada

Andrzej Komor New Investigator Award (2015)
-15th International Symposium on Computer Simulation in Biomechanics,
Edinburgh, Scotland