The biomechanics lab studies musculoskeletal biomechanics focusing primarily on lower extremity and spine biomechanics in vivo, in vitro, and in silico.  Our computational modeling work includes both finite element and dynamic musculoskeletal modeling.  Our experimental work includes but is not limited to data collection to validate computational models, development of techniques to improve analysis of experimental data, and work to understand biomechanics in different disease and/or injury states. We also work on a variety of projects focusing on improving human performance using augmented reality, in collaboration with small businesses and the department of defense.  Our lab also participates in National Biomechanics Day outreach every year with local high schools.

Contact

Biomechanics Lab

238 Kaufman Hall
Norfolk, VA 23529

757-683-5934 Office
sringleb@odu.edu

People

Stacie Ringleb

Stacie Ringleb

Dr. Stacie Ringleb earned her B.S. in biomedical engineering at Case Western Reserve University in 1997, a MS in mechanical engineering at Temple University in 1999, and her Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Drexel University in 2003. She completed a post-doctoral fellowship in the Orthopedic Biomechanics Lab at the Mayo Clinic in 2006. She is currently the Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access in the Batten College of Engineering and Technology at Old Dominion University, a professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and a fellow of the American Society of Biomechanics. Ringle  has been studying the foot and ankle biomechanics since graduate school, and investigates spines, knees, and upper extremities, in vivo, in vitro, and in silico, as well as working on a variety of rehabilitation projects with augmented reality, in collaboration with small businesses. Recently, Dr. Ringleb has started to investigate how engineering students collaborating with education students in a service-learning project effects undergraduate STEM education.

Isaac Koduah Kumi

Isaac Koduah Kumi is a Ph.D. student in mechanical engineering at the Biomechanics lab. He has an undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering and a master of engineering in mechanical engineering. He does research in spine biomechanics involving finite element modeling and in vitro testing of ligaments.

 

 

Abed Khosrojerdi

Abed Khosrojerdi is a Ph.D. student in mechanical engineering specializing in biomechanics. He earned his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering with a minor in manufacturing and production, and his master's degree in biomedical engineering with a focus on sports engineering, both in Iran. Khosrojerdi has experience working at the Sports Sciences Research Institute of Iran, where he gained expertise in motion capture systems, electromyography (EMG), and dynamometry. His current research focuses on the kinematics of the foot and ankle, employing techniques such as motion capture, in vitro testing, and machine learning.

Victoria Jolliff

Victoria Jolliff is a graduate student working towards a master’s degree in biomedical engineering. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from West Virginia University, where she gained experience in biomechanics through the use of motion capture systems and various analysis software. In the Biomechanics Lab at ODU, her primary research focus is on upper limb joint kinematics, utilizing motion capture systems. Additionally, she is involved in human factors engineering research, particularly in the realm of virtual and augmented reality visualization. Post-graduation, Victoria aspires to pursue a career in human movement performance or ergonomics industry.

Nathan Q. Holland

Nathan Holland is a recent alum of the Biomechanics lab, having earned his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering in December 2023. Alongside his doctorate, he holds a Master of Engineering in Acoustics from The Pennsylvania State University and a BS in mechanical engineering from the Rochester Institute of Technology. His dissertation highlighted a targeted machine learning approach to categorizing physical activity in young adults using biomechanical metrics. Nathan is proficient in signal processing, ultrasound, electromyography, isokinetic dynamometry, and motion capture. Currently serving as a lecturer in the Engineering Fundamentals Division, he integrates his extensive experience from industry and academia into course material.

Other Doctoral Alumni:

Stacie Ringleb

Stacie Ringleb

Dr. Stacie Ringleb earned her B.S. in biomedical engineering at Case Western Reserve University in 1997, a MS in mechanical engineering at Temple University in 1999, and her Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Drexel University in 2003. She completed a post-doctoral fellowship in the Orthopedic Biomechanics Lab at the Mayo Clinic in 2006. She is currently the Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access in the Batten College of Engineering and Technology at Old Dominion University, a professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and a fellow of the American Society of Biomechanics. Ringle  has been studying the foot and ankle biomechanics since graduate school, and investigates spines, knees, and upper extremities, in vivo, in vitro, and in silico, as well as working on a variety of rehabilitation projects with augmented reality, in collaboration with small businesses. Recently, Dr. Ringleb has started to investigate how engineering students collaborating with education students in a service-learning project effects undergraduate STEM education.

Isaac Koduah Kumi

Isaac Koduah Kumi is a Ph.D. student in mechanical engineering at the Biomechanics lab. He has an undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering and a master of engineering in mechanical engineering. He does research in spine biomechanics involving finite element modeling and in vitro testing of ligaments.

 

 

Abed Khosrojerdi

Abed Khosrojerdi is a Ph.D. student in mechanical engineering specializing in biomechanics. He earned his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering with a minor in manufacturing and production, and his master's degree in biomedical engineering with a focus on sports engineering, both in Iran. Khosrojerdi has experience working at the Sports Sciences Research Institute of Iran, where he gained expertise in motion capture systems, electromyography (EMG), and dynamometry. His current research focuses on the kinematics of the foot and ankle, employing techniques such as motion capture, in vitro testing, and machine learning.

Victoria Jolliff

Victoria Jolliff is a graduate student working towards a master’s degree in biomedical engineering. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from West Virginia University, where she gained experience in biomechanics through the use of motion capture systems and various analysis software. In the Biomechanics Lab at ODU, her primary research focus is on upper limb joint kinematics, utilizing motion capture systems. Additionally, she is involved in human factors engineering research, particularly in the realm of virtual and augmented reality visualization. Post-graduation, Victoria aspires to pursue a career in human movement performance or ergonomics industry.

Nathan Q. Holland

Nathan Holland is a recent alum of the Biomechanics lab, having earned his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering in December 2023. Alongside his doctorate, he holds a Master of Engineering in Acoustics from The Pennsylvania State University and a BS in mechanical engineering from the Rochester Institute of Technology. His dissertation highlighted a targeted machine learning approach to categorizing physical activity in young adults using biomechanical metrics. Nathan is proficient in signal processing, ultrasound, electromyography, isokinetic dynamometry, and motion capture. Currently serving as a lecturer in the Engineering Fundamentals Division, he integrates his extensive experience from industry and academia into course material.

Other Doctoral Alumni:

Research

  1. Zuppke, JN, Bennett HJ, Ringleb SI, “The Effect of Subtalar Joint Axis Location on Muscle Moment Arms,” Journal of Biomechanics, in press
  2. Polanco, M, Ringleb S, Audette M, Kakar R, Bawab S, “A Comparison of Intervertebral Ligament Properties Utilized in a Thoracic Spine Functional Unit Through Kinematic Evaluation, Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, in press
  3. Gutierrez KS, Kidd JJ, Lee MJ, Pazos P, Kaipa K, Ringleb SI, Ayala O, “Undergraduate Engineering and Education Students Reflect on Their Interdisciplinary Teamwork Experiences Following Transition to Virtual Instruction Caused by COVID-19,” Education Sciences, 12(9), (2022)
  4. Bennett, HJ, Ringleb, SI, Bobzien, J, Hagel, JA, “Are Gait Biomechanics Related to Physical Activity Engagement? An Examination of Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder,” Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 53(3): 447-455 (2022)
  5. Kidd, JJ, Kaipa K, Gutierrez K, Lee MJ, Pazos P, Ringleb SI, “COVID-19 as a Magnifying Glass: Exploring the Importance of Relationships as Education Students Learn and Teach Robotics via Zoom,” Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research, 12(2), (2022)
  6. Bennett, HJ, Ringleb SI, Bobzien J, Hagel JA, “Walking Lower Extremity Biomechanics of Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder,” Journal of Biomechanics, 119 (2021)
  7. Noginova, J, Hoch MC, Weinhandl J, Bawab S, Ringleb SI, “Anterior Cruciate Ligament Sectioning Alters Center of Pressure in the Knee: An In Vitro Study,” Journal of Musculoskeletal Research, 22(01n02) (2019).
  8. Raymer, A.M., Sandberg, H.M., Schwartz, K., Watson, G.S., & Ringleb, S.I.. “Treatment of auditory processing in noise in individuals with mild aphasia: Pilot study,” Clinical Archives of Communication Disorders,4(2): 1-7 (2019).
  9. Pazos P, Ringleb SI, Kidd J, Jones R, “Scaffolding Project-Based Learning in an Engineering and Education Partnership using Open-Access Technology,” International Journal of Engineering Education, 35(5), 1306-1315 (2019).
  10. Choisne J, McNally A, Hoch MC, Ringleb SI, “Effect of Simulated Joint Instability and Bracing on Ankle and Subtalar Joint Flexibility, Journal of Biomechanics, 82: 234-243 (2019).
  11. Samaan MA, Ringleb SI, Bawab SY, Greska EK, Weinhandl JT, “Altered Lower Extremity Joint Mechanics occur during the Star Excursion Balance Test and Single Leg Hop after ACL-Reconstruction in a Collegiate Athlete”, Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, 21(4): 344-358 (2018).
  1. Noginova JM, Bennet HJ, Ringleb SI, “The Effect of Subtalar Joint Axis Definition on Muscle Moment Arms of the Foot,” North American Congress of Biomechanics, Ottawa, Canada, August 2022
  2. Kim JH, Bawab SY, McCullough M, Ringleb, SI, “ The Effect of Bone Geometry on Contact Stress in 3D Finite Element Foot Model,” North American Congress of Biomechanics, Ottawa, Canada, August 2022
  3. Lee, M., Gutierrez, K. S., Ringleb, S., & Kidd, J. (2022, February 8-10). Ed+gineering: Interdisciplinary hands-on engineering for elementary students. Presentation for the Virginia Children’s Engineering Council Virtual Convention 2022.
  4. Noginova JM, Bennet HJ, Ringleb SI, “Consideration of Subtalar Joint Axis Location in Dynamic Muscoloskeletal Models,” 45th meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics” Virtual, August 2021.
  5. Polanco M, Bawab SY, Ringleb SI, Audette M, St. Remy C, Bennet J, “The Effect of Costovebral Joints on the Motion of a Thoracic Spine Functional Unit,” 45th meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics” Virtual, August 2021
  6. Noginova JM, Bennet HJ, Samman MA, Ringleb SI, “The Effects of Subtalar Axis Orientation on Kinematics and Kinetics During Walking and Running,” International Foot and Ankle Biomechanics Community Congress, April 8-11, 2018, New York, New York.
  7. Noginova JM, Bennet HJ, Samman MA, Ringleb SI, “The Effects of Subtalar Axis Orientation on Kinematics and Kinetics During Dynamic Motion,” 42nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics, August 8-11, 2018, Rochester, MN.
  1. Kumi, I, Polanco M, Kim J, Bawab SY, Ringleb SI, “Comparison of a Spine Model Between two Finite Element Programs,” North American Congress of Biomechanics, Ottawa, Canada, August 2022
  2. Polanco M, Ringleb SI, Audette M, St. Remy C, Bennet J, Bawab SY, “Load Sharing Assessment in a Thoracic Spine Function Unit During Surgical Resection,” North American Congress of Biomechanics, Ottawa, Canada, August 2022.
  3. Holland N, Sievert Z, Bennett HJ, Ringleb SI, “Normalization Methodologies Involving Anticipated Cutting Tasks,” North American Congress of Biomechanics, Ottawa, Canada, August 2022
  4. Kumi, I, Polanco M, Kim J, Audette M, Bawab SY, Ringleb SI, “Comparison of Results from Different Finite Element Software Used in Spine Modeling,” 45th meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics” Virtual, August 2021
  5. Holland N, Sievert ZA, Bennett HJ, Ringleb SI, “Analysis of Normalization Techniques: Surface Electromyography Signals From a Cutting Task of A Hamstring Strength Training Program, 45th meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics” Virtual, August 2021
  6. Smith BK, Bennett HJ, Maddox EU, Bawab SY, Ringleb SI, “Leg Drive and Stride Leg Ground Reaction Forces Relationship to Medial Elbow Stress and Velocity in Collegiate Baseball Players,” 45th meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics” Virtual, August 2021
  7. Kim JH, Bawab SY, Ringleb SI, “The Effect of Plantar Fascia Thickness at Different Foot Positions in a 3D Finite Element Foot Model,” 45th meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics” Virtual, August 2021
  8. Polanco M, Bawab SY, Ringleb SI, Audette M, St. Remy C, Bennet J, “Instantaneous Center of Rotation Behavior During Ligament Removal in the Thoracic Spine,” 45th meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics” Virtual, August 2021
  9. J Wilson, E Bell, S Meardon, SI Ringleb, Z Domire, “Foot and Ankle Kinetics During Walking in People with Plantar Fasciitis,” Virtual American Society of Biomechanics, August 2020
  10. J Kim, SI Ringleb, SY Bawab, “Analysis of the Strain of Plantar Fascia with Different Plantar Fascia Thickness and Tendon Loading in 3D Finite Element Foot Model,” Virtual American Society of Biomechanics, August 2020.
  11. M Polanco, SY Bawab, SI Ringleb, M Audette, C St Remy, J Bennett, “The Utilization of Porcine Ligament Properties as a Substitute for Human Ligaments in a Spinal Finite Element Model,” Virtual American Society of Biomechanics, August 2020.
  12. M Cribb, S Anderson, R Martin, S Parasidis, C Martell, M Polanco, SI Ringleb, SY Bawab, “Tensile Testing of Spinal Ligaments,” Virtual American Society of Biomechanics, August 2020.
  13. Bell EA, Ringleb SI, Wilson J, Meardon S, Domire Z, “Variation in the Stiffness of the Plantar Fascia Measured using Shear Wave Elastography,” 2018 Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Meeting, October 17-20, 2018, Atlanta, GA.
  1. Bell EA, Ringleb SI, Wilson J, Meardon S, Domire Z, “The Relationship Between Plantar Pressure and Plantar Fascia Stiffness during Gait,” 2018 Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Meeting, October 17-20, 2018, Atlanta, GA.
  2. Cummings JM, Safi AA, Lopez JJ, Noginovia J, Bawab SY, Ringleb SI, “Instrumentation of a Rod Rotation Wrench For Use in Scoliosis Surgery, 42nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics, August 8-11, 2018, Rochester, MN.
  3. Kim J, Bawab SY, Ringleb SI, “Developing the Sensitivity of a Human Ankle Joint Finite Element Model to the Thickness of Cartilage,” 42nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics, August 8-11, 2018, Rochester, MN

  1. Zuppke, JN, Bennett HJ, Ringleb SI, “The Effect of Subtalar Joint Axis Location on Muscle Moment Arms,” Journal of Biomechanics, in press
  2. Polanco, M, Ringleb S, Audette M, Kakar R, Bawab S, “A Comparison of Intervertebral Ligament Properties Utilized in a Thoracic Spine Functional Unit Through Kinematic Evaluation, Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, in press
  3. Gutierrez KS, Kidd JJ, Lee MJ, Pazos P, Kaipa K, Ringleb SI, Ayala O, “Undergraduate Engineering and Education Students Reflect on Their Interdisciplinary Teamwork Experiences Following Transition to Virtual Instruction Caused by COVID-19,” Education Sciences, 12(9), (2022)
  4. Bennett, HJ, Ringleb, SI, Bobzien, J, Hagel, JA, “Are Gait Biomechanics Related to Physical Activity Engagement? An Examination of Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder,” Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 53(3): 447-455 (2022)
  5. Kidd, JJ, Kaipa K, Gutierrez K, Lee MJ, Pazos P, Ringleb SI, “COVID-19 as a Magnifying Glass: Exploring the Importance of Relationships as Education Students Learn and Teach Robotics via Zoom,” Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research, 12(2), (2022)
  6. Bennett, HJ, Ringleb SI, Bobzien J, Hagel JA, “Walking Lower Extremity Biomechanics of Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder,” Journal of Biomechanics, 119 (2021)
  7. Noginova, J, Hoch MC, Weinhandl J, Bawab S, Ringleb SI, “Anterior Cruciate Ligament Sectioning Alters Center of Pressure in the Knee: An In Vitro Study,” Journal of Musculoskeletal Research, 22(01n02) (2019).
  8. Raymer, A.M., Sandberg, H.M., Schwartz, K., Watson, G.S., & Ringleb, S.I.. “Treatment of auditory processing in noise in individuals with mild aphasia: Pilot study,” Clinical Archives of Communication Disorders,4(2): 1-7 (2019).
  9. Pazos P, Ringleb SI, Kidd J, Jones R, “Scaffolding Project-Based Learning in an Engineering and Education Partnership using Open-Access Technology,” International Journal of Engineering Education, 35(5), 1306-1315 (2019).
  10. Choisne J, McNally A, Hoch MC, Ringleb SI, “Effect of Simulated Joint Instability and Bracing on Ankle and Subtalar Joint Flexibility, Journal of Biomechanics, 82: 234-243 (2019).
  11. Samaan MA, Ringleb SI, Bawab SY, Greska EK, Weinhandl JT, “Altered Lower Extremity Joint Mechanics occur during the Star Excursion Balance Test and Single Leg Hop after ACL-Reconstruction in a Collegiate Athlete”, Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, 21(4): 344-358 (2018).

  1. Noginova JM, Bennet HJ, Ringleb SI, “The Effect of Subtalar Joint Axis Definition on Muscle Moment Arms of the Foot,” North American Congress of Biomechanics, Ottawa, Canada, August 2022
  2. Kim JH, Bawab SY, McCullough M, Ringleb, SI, “ The Effect of Bone Geometry on Contact Stress in 3D Finite Element Foot Model,” North American Congress of Biomechanics, Ottawa, Canada, August 2022
  3. Lee, M., Gutierrez, K. S., Ringleb, S., & Kidd, J. (2022, February 8-10). Ed+gineering: Interdisciplinary hands-on engineering for elementary students. Presentation for the Virginia Children’s Engineering Council Virtual Convention 2022.
  4. Noginova JM, Bennet HJ, Ringleb SI, “Consideration of Subtalar Joint Axis Location in Dynamic Muscoloskeletal Models,” 45th meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics” Virtual, August 2021.
  5. Polanco M, Bawab SY, Ringleb SI, Audette M, St. Remy C, Bennet J, “The Effect of Costovebral Joints on the Motion of a Thoracic Spine Functional Unit,” 45th meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics” Virtual, August 2021
  6. Noginova JM, Bennet HJ, Samman MA, Ringleb SI, “The Effects of Subtalar Axis Orientation on Kinematics and Kinetics During Walking and Running,” International Foot and Ankle Biomechanics Community Congress, April 8-11, 2018, New York, New York.
  7. Noginova JM, Bennet HJ, Samman MA, Ringleb SI, “The Effects of Subtalar Axis Orientation on Kinematics and Kinetics During Dynamic Motion,” 42nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics, August 8-11, 2018, Rochester, MN.

  1. Kumi, I, Polanco M, Kim J, Bawab SY, Ringleb SI, “Comparison of a Spine Model Between two Finite Element Programs,” North American Congress of Biomechanics, Ottawa, Canada, August 2022
  2. Polanco M, Ringleb SI, Audette M, St. Remy C, Bennet J, Bawab SY, “Load Sharing Assessment in a Thoracic Spine Function Unit During Surgical Resection,” North American Congress of Biomechanics, Ottawa, Canada, August 2022.
  3. Holland N, Sievert Z, Bennett HJ, Ringleb SI, “Normalization Methodologies Involving Anticipated Cutting Tasks,” North American Congress of Biomechanics, Ottawa, Canada, August 2022
  4. Kumi, I, Polanco M, Kim J, Audette M, Bawab SY, Ringleb SI, “Comparison of Results from Different Finite Element Software Used in Spine Modeling,” 45th meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics” Virtual, August 2021
  5. Holland N, Sievert ZA, Bennett HJ, Ringleb SI, “Analysis of Normalization Techniques: Surface Electromyography Signals From a Cutting Task of A Hamstring Strength Training Program, 45th meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics” Virtual, August 2021
  6. Smith BK, Bennett HJ, Maddox EU, Bawab SY, Ringleb SI, “Leg Drive and Stride Leg Ground Reaction Forces Relationship to Medial Elbow Stress and Velocity in Collegiate Baseball Players,” 45th meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics” Virtual, August 2021
  7. Kim JH, Bawab SY, Ringleb SI, “The Effect of Plantar Fascia Thickness at Different Foot Positions in a 3D Finite Element Foot Model,” 45th meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics” Virtual, August 2021
  8. Polanco M, Bawab SY, Ringleb SI, Audette M, St. Remy C, Bennet J, “Instantaneous Center of Rotation Behavior During Ligament Removal in the Thoracic Spine,” 45th meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics” Virtual, August 2021
  9. J Wilson, E Bell, S Meardon, SI Ringleb, Z Domire, “Foot and Ankle Kinetics During Walking in People with Plantar Fasciitis,” Virtual American Society of Biomechanics, August 2020
  10. J Kim, SI Ringleb, SY Bawab, “Analysis of the Strain of Plantar Fascia with Different Plantar Fascia Thickness and Tendon Loading in 3D Finite Element Foot Model,” Virtual American Society of Biomechanics, August 2020.
  11. M Polanco, SY Bawab, SI Ringleb, M Audette, C St Remy, J Bennett, “The Utilization of Porcine Ligament Properties as a Substitute for Human Ligaments in a Spinal Finite Element Model,” Virtual American Society of Biomechanics, August 2020.
  12. M Cribb, S Anderson, R Martin, S Parasidis, C Martell, M Polanco, SI Ringleb, SY Bawab, “Tensile Testing of Spinal Ligaments,” Virtual American Society of Biomechanics, August 2020.
  13. Bell EA, Ringleb SI, Wilson J, Meardon S, Domire Z, “Variation in the Stiffness of the Plantar Fascia Measured using Shear Wave Elastography,” 2018 Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Meeting, October 17-20, 2018, Atlanta, GA.
  1. Bell EA, Ringleb SI, Wilson J, Meardon S, Domire Z, “The Relationship Between Plantar Pressure and Plantar Fascia Stiffness during Gait,” 2018 Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Meeting, October 17-20, 2018, Atlanta, GA.
  2. Cummings JM, Safi AA, Lopez JJ, Noginovia J, Bawab SY, Ringleb SI, “Instrumentation of a Rod Rotation Wrench For Use in Scoliosis Surgery, 42nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics, August 8-11, 2018, Rochester, MN.
  3. Kim J, Bawab SY, Ringleb SI, “Developing the Sensitivity of a Human Ankle Joint Finite Element Model to the Thickness of Cartilage,” 42nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics, August 8-11, 2018, Rochester, MN

Equipment

  • 6-Camera Motion Analysis System
  • The MotionMonitor xGen Software
  • The Cortex Software
  • Pliance Pressure Sensors by Novel
  • Differential Variable Reluctance Transducers (DVRT) by Microstrain
  • Tinius Olsen Material Testing Machine

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