A Mayo Clinic expert in biomechanics is scheduled to present at NDSU as part of the College of Engineering’s Distinguished Lecture Series.
Kenton R. Kaufman, W. Hall Wendel Jr. musculoskeletal research professor, professor of biomedical engineering and director of the Biomechanics and Motion Analysis Laboratory at Mayo Clinic, will present “Braces, bones, bioengineering and billiards” on Tuesday, April 22 at 1 p.m. in the Memorial Union Rose room.
The presentation will showcase the challenges biomedical engineers are called upon to solve. Learn how bioengineers help technologically sophisticated clinicians as part of a multidisciplinary team solving disease conditions that have existed for generations. Bioengineers use their skills and training to aid in diagnosis, treatment and outcome assessment of patients.
The job field for biomedical engineers is growing dramatically, according to Kaufman. “The spectrum of opportunities that exist at the intersection of biology, medicine and engineering are enormous,” he said.
Kaufman’s primary area of research is musculoskeletal rehabilitation science. He and his colleagues develop mobility aids, seek ways to improve health and performance through exercise and work on the development of new techniques to improve patient care. His current research includes improving the rehabilitation of Wounded Warriors, developing advanced prosthetics and orthotics and developing methods for field-based monitoring of human movement. Kaufman also devotes time to direct patient care.
Kaufman also is professor of biomedical engineering and a consultant in the orthopedic surgery, physiology and biomedical engineering departments at Mayo Clinic. He is a registered professional engineer.
Kaufman earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural engineering from South Dakota State University and a doctorate in engineering from NDSU. He has had research funding totaling more than $40 million, has published more than 190 scientific peer-reviewed papers and holds five U.S. patents and one international patent.
Kaufman is a past president of the American Society of Biomechanics and the Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society. He is a fellow in the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering and the American Society of Biomechanics.
The presentation is open to the public. For more information, contact Nancy Rossland at 701-231-7994 or nancy.rossland@ndsu.edu.
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.