Field of concentration: Biomechanics / Industrial Ergonomics.
Research goal: Involvement in Ergonomic research and design.
Current Research:Modeling Human Perception of Postural Stresses.
Application
1. Inclusivity of Individual Specific Posture Analysis Tools in manufacturing assembly tasks.
2. Direct and indirect Posture mapping for vehicle assessments. In
particular assessing seat and controls positions for a range of defined
population.
Graduate Research Work
Industry Sponsored Work: “Defining Optimal Driving posture of US drivers by body type”. The study empirically determined optimal (driver-selected) interior settings and optimal driving postures (joint angles) of American drivers for midsize sedan. The second phase of the study investigated the optimal driving postures for “mature” U.S drivers. The studies were sponsored by Hyundai-Kia Technical Center, Inc. (HATCI) of America.
Ph.D. Work: Dissertation topic – “Modeling Human Perception of Postural Stress.” Conducted research work in two phases. The first phase investigated effort perception by subjects in various working postures. The objectives were: 1) Determine the adequate mathematical function for representing various stress-time profiles during static posture holding tasks and 2) Determine if it is possible to predict an entire stress-time profile based on a small number of initial measurements The second phase involved developing an empirical method for determining a mathematical function that identifies an individual’s postural stress. Accurate and efficient postural stress determination will be useful in ergonomic evaluation and digital human modeling. Such mathematical functions will assist in the process of workstation design, job screening and planning new jobs.
FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECTS (worked on grant proposals with Dr. Woojin Park)
Title: Efficient measurement and representation of postural stress-time profiles
Amount: $18,312.00 (Graduate Researcher)
Sponsor: Southeast Center for Agricultural Health and Injury Prevention
University of Kentucky College of Public Health
Title: An efficient method for modeling an individual’s perception of postural stress
Amount: $9,259.00 (Graduate Researcher)
Sponsor: University of Utah Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational &
Environment Health