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Mechanical Engineering
BYU Applied Biomechanics Engineering Laboratory

Alumni

PhD Graduates

  • Dean Keith Stolworthy, MS, PhD, PE (2015), “Advancing biomechanical research through a camelid model of the human lumbar spine.” (Senior Consultant, Rimkus Consulting Group, Inc.)
  • Gregory Von Forell, MS, PhD, MBA (2013), “Computational and experimental study of degeneration, damage, and failure in biological soft tissues.” (Senior Development Engineer, NextStep Arthropedix)
  • Daniel Robertson, PhD (2013), “Quantifying the nonlinear, anisotropic, material response of spinal ligaments.” (Assistant Professor, Currently weighing offers)

MS Graduates

  • Parker Rosquist, MS (2017), “Modeling Three Dimensional Ground Reaction Force Using Nanocomposite Piezoresponsive Foam Sensors.”
  • Michael Sanders, MS (2015), “Effects of Various Mobility Aids on Lower-Extremity Muscle Activity.” (Nexus Spine)
  • Amanda Beatty, MS (2015), “Design and Validation of a Complex Loading Whole Spinal Segment Bioreactor.” (R&D Mechanical Engineer, Dexcom)
  • Daniel Baradoy, MS (2015), “Composition based modeling of silicone nickel nano-composite strain sensors with applications in fetal monitoring” (Sales Associate, Stryker Canada)
  • Mitchell Hortin, MS (2015), “Ligament model fidelity in finite element analysis of the human lumbar spine.” (Safety CAE Engineer, General Motors)
  • Darrell Skousen, MS (2013), “Design exploration and analysis of carbon-filled carbon nanotube vascular stents.” (Engineer, Merit Medical)
  • Jeremy Alsup, MS (2013), “Mimicking the mechanical behavior of intervertebral disc degeneration.” (Engineer, Reliance Medical Systems)
  • Jeff Harris, MS (2012), “The biomechanical implications of an intrinsic decompressive pre-load on a posterior dynamic stabilization system.” (Senior Engineer, Nexus Spine)
  • Tim Bishop, MS (2011), “A proteolytic model for simulating the mechanics of disc degeneration in bovine cadaveric tissue.” (Manager, Business Analytics, Symantec, Received MS/MBA from BYU)
  • Shaun Jeffs, MS (2011), “Passive load-bearing capacity of the human lumbar spine in the neutral standing postures.” (Managing Engineer, Delta V Biomechanics)
  • Rachel Bradshaw Willardson, MS (2011), “Mechanical characterization of the interspinous ligament using anisotropic small punch testing.” (Product Development Engineer, Jhpiego – Global Health Innovation)
  • Gregory Von Forell, MS, PhD, MBA (2011), “Biomechanical Implications of Lumbar Spinal Ligament Transection: A Finite Element Study.” (Senior Development Engineer, NextStep Arthropedix)
  • Dean Keith Stolworthy, MS, PhD, PE (2011), “Characterization and Biomechanical Analysis of the Human Lumbar Spine with In Vitro Testing Conditions.” (Senior Consultant, Rimkus Consulting Group, Inc.)

Undergraduate Research Assistants

  • Tim Ashworth, MD (Orthopaedic Resident at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill)
  • Spencer Baker (MD Program at ?)
  • Boston Barham (BS Program at Brigham Young University)
  • Daniel Barlow (MD Program at Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth)
  • Amanda Beatty, MS (R&D Mechanical Engineer at Dexcom)
  • Cassandra Bell (BS Program at Brigham Young University)
  • Tim Bishop, MS (Manager, Business Analytics, Symantec, Received MS/MBA from BYU)
  • Tyler Bleazard (Machinery Engineer, Exxon Mobil)
  • Alan Bordon (MD Program at Penn State College of Medicine, ORCA Grant Recipient)
  • Aaron Cannon (MD Program at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine)
  • Kiarah Chrisman (BS Program at Kansas State University)
  • Ryan Faber (MBA Program at Brigham Young University)
  • Amy Fullwood, MS (MS Program at Brigham Young University)
  • Colton Graham (BS Program at Brigham Young University)
  • Sarah Graham (Engineering Intern at Natures Sunshine Products)
  • Corynn Greenhalgh (Designer II at Segars Engineering Corporation)
  • Kara Griffiths (Engineering Intern at CR Bard, ORCA Grant Recipient)
  • Ben Hilton (MS Program at Brigham Young University)
  • Matthew Hunter (Senior Engineering Project Manager, Tri-Star Design and Manufacturing)
  • Peter Hyoung (Quality/Product Development Engineer, Gauss Surgical)
  • Cesare Jenkins (PhD Program at Stanford University)
  • Peter Jepsen (2ft Prosthetics, ORCA Grant Recipient)
  • David Jones (Product Design Engineer, ECI)
  • Joey Kent (Manufacturing Engineer II, Stryker Neurovascular)
  • Takami Kowalski (Associate Consultant, Bain & Company)
  • Shawn LeBaron (MS Program at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)
  • Melissa Magaña (Engineer, Stryker)
  • Michael Mantyla (Patent Examiner, USPTO)
  • Adin Martineau (MS Program at Brigham Young University)
  • Tyler Merrell (PhD Program at Clemson University)
  • Brianna Modrell (Process Engineer, Boeing)
  • Todd Nelson (PhD Program at Brigham Young University)
  • Jason Orr (ELP Team Leader at National Instruments)
  • Joseph Pace (Test Engineer, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory)
  • Ashutosh Parajuli (PhD Program at University of Delaware)
  • Debora Porter (BS Program at Brigham Young University)
  • Luke Rasmussen (Design Engineer, Chevron)
  • David Reece (PhD Program at Georgia Institute of Technology)
  • Weston Rowley (Naval Reactors Engineer, US Navy)
  • Tysum Ruchti (MS Program at Brigham Young University, ORCA Grant Recipient)
  • Alison Russell (Mom of 2 wonderful children!)
  • Benjamin Salazar (Product Development Engineer, Ford)
  • Marina Samuels (Mechanical Engineer II, L3)
  • John Sessions, PhD (DPM student at Midwestern University, ORCA Grant Recipient)
  • Spencer Shore, MS (Product Development Engineer, Nexus Spine, ORCA Grant Recipient)
  • Brent Showalter, PhD (Biomedical Engineer, Posterior Spinal Devices, US Food and Drug Administration, NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Recipient)
  • Simeon Smith, PhD (Research Engineer, NYU Abu Dhabi, ORCA Grant Recipient)
  • Trevor Stephens (PhD Program at University of Minnesota)
  • Dean Keith Stolworthy, PhD, PE (Senior Consultant, Rimkus Consulting Group)
  • Michaela Sutton (Design Engineering Intern, Chevron)
  • David Usevitch (PhD Program at University of Utah)
  • Christopher West (MD Program at University of Texas Medical School)
  • Sarah White (ORCA Grant Recipient)
  • Kent Williams (BS Program at Brigham Young University)
  • David Williams (Founder, Chief Biking Officer, Wasatch Bike Components)
  • Sarah Woods (BS Program at Brigham Young University)
  • Doug Wright (Manufacturing Engineer, Hologic, Inc.)

Other Affiliated Laboratory Alumni

  • Allyson Sessions (Mom of 3 wonderful children!)
  • Nathan Petersen, MD (OB/GYN in Glendale, AZ)
  • Sean Tolman, PhD (Assistant Professor, Utah Valley University)
  • Jesse Chen (MS Program at Sun Yat Sen University, Guangzhou, China)
  • Zhenfeng Chen (MS Program at Sun Yate Sen University, Guangzhou, China)