Co-director, Occupational Injury Prevention Research Training Program
Occupational Biomechanics and Ergonomics Laboratory:
Our research aims to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) through understanding the injury mechanisms based on hypothesis-driven laboratory and field studies using biomechanics, neuromuscular and exposure-response protocols and models.
Upper extremity biomechanics during keying: Through biomechanical modeling and experiments we are determining the specific tissue loading of the upper extremity during computer keyboard tasks (e.g. tapping).
Tools for exposure assessment of physical risk factors of VDT Workers: We’ve developed field instruments to measure the frequency, duration and intensity of force and wrist posture during computer use. In addition, we have developed usage monitoring softwared that automatically measures keyboard and mouse activity.
The effects of product design on upper extremity biomechanics: Working with product designers we are exploring the effects of human-computer interface (HCI) devices on the upper extremity kinematics, kinetics and muscle activity.
Preventing Falls from Ladders: We have developed and have tested an assessment tool that quantifies compliance to best practices ladder use for construction sites. The tool will be used to quantify changes pre and post a ladder-use intervention research project.
Ph.D., 1996, UC Berkeley
S.M., 1989, MIT
B.S., 1986, University at Buffalo
Dennerlein JT, Kingma I, Visser B, van Dieën J. (2007). The contribution of the wrist, elbow and shoulder joints to single-finger tapping. J Biomech, 40(13), 3013-3022.
Chang, C. H., Amick, B. C., 3rd, Menendez, C. C., Katz, J. N., Johnson, P. W., Robertson, M., & Dennerlein, J. T. (2007). Daily computer usage correlated with undergraduate students' musculoskeletal symptoms. Am J Ind Med, 50(6), 481-488.