Education

• NIDRR ARRT Postdoctoral Fellowship,
  Pediatric Mobility and Clinician Researchers and Engineers,
  Marquette University, 2007-2010
• Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering, Marquette University, 2007
• M.S., Biomedical Engineering, Marquette University, 2004
• B.S., Biomedical Engineering, University of Iowa, 2001

Interests & Expertise

My research interests include upper extremity motion analysis, inverse dynamics modeling, rehabilitation engineering, and orthopaedic biomechanics. I am currently investigating upper extremity dynamics during crutch, walker, and wheelchair mobility in children with orthopaedic disabilities.

New interests in human motion analysis have directed research to the area of upper extremity. To quantify the upper extremity, we have developed a validated 3D inverse dynamics model for assessment of pediatric mobility. Our model can be used to characterize shoulder, elbow, and wrist joint forces and moments. It is being applied to subjects with myelomeningocele, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, and osteogenesis imperfecta to characterize crutch, walker and wheelchair mobility to better understand joint load demands. Due to long-term assistive device usage, these mobility device users may be at an increased risk for developing upper extremity pain or pathologies. Further research interests include musculoskeletal and finite element modeling to investigate the tissue level effects of long-term joint loading from assistive device usage. Our research may improve clinical intervention strategies, therapeutic gait planning, and offer insight to long-term joint loading effects.

Recent Publications

Slavens, B.A., Bhagchandani, N., Wang, M., Smith, P.A., & Harris, G.F. (In Press). Motion Analysis of the Upper Extremities During Lofstrand Crutch-Assisted Gait in Children with Orthopaedic Disabilities. Journal of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, 2011.

Slavens, B.A., Bhagchandani, N., Wang, M., Smith, P.A., & Harris, G.F. (2011). An Upper Extremity Inverse Dynamics Model for Pediatric Lofstrand Crutch-Assisted Gait. Journal of Biomechanics, 44(11), 2162–2167.

Slavens, B.A., Sturm, P.F., & Harris, G.F. (2010). Upper Extremity Inverse Dynamics Model for Crutch-Assisted Gait Assessment. Journal of Biomechanics, 43(10), 2026-2031.

Slavens, B.A., Sturm, P.F., Bajournaite, R., & Harris, G.F. (2009). Upper Extremity Dynamics During Lofstrand Crutch-Assisted Gait in Children with Myelomeningocele. Gait and Posture, 30(4), 511-517.

Slavens, B.A., Guan, Y. & Harris, G.F. (2009). Finite Element Analysis of the Forearm Crutch During Reciprocal and Swing-Through Gait. Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation, 45, 310-315.

Slavens, B.A., & Harris, G.F. (2008). The Biomechanics of Upper Extremity Kinematic and Kinetic Modeling: Applications to Rehabilitation Engineering. Critical Reviews in Biomedical Engineering, 36(2-3), 93-125.

Slavens, B.A., Frantz, J., Sturm, P.F., & Harris, G.F. (2007). Upper Extremity Dynamics of Lofstrand Crutch-Assisted Gait in Children with Myelomeningocele. Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 30, 77-83.

Hingtgen, B.A., Wang M., McGuire, J.R., & Harris, G.F. (2006). An Upper Extremity Kinematic Model for Evaluation of Hemiparetic Stroke. Journal of Biomechanics, 39(4), 681-688.

Cole, B.J., Freedman, K.B., Taksali, S., Hingtgen, B.A., DiMasi, M., Bach, B.R., & Hurwitz, D.E. (March 2003). Use of a Lateral Offset Short-Leg Walking Cast Before High Tibial Osteotomy. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 408, 209-217.

Honors and Awards

• Dean's Research Award, College of Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2012
• United States Bone and Joint Decade (USBJD) Young Investigator’s Initiative Grant Writing Workshop, 2009-2011
• Best Professional Paper Award, Rocky Mountain Bioengineering Symposium (RMBS), 2009
• Enhancing Rehabilitation Research in the South (ERRIS) Intensive Workshop on Grant Writing, Preparation, and Submission in Rehabilitation Research, Charlottesville, VA, 2009
• Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society (GCMAS) Best Student Presentation Award, 2008
• Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) Student Scientific Paper Award, 2007
• Howard H. Steel Conference: Injuries and Dysfunction of the Spinal Cord in Children Travel Award, 2006
• Rev. John P. Raynor, S.J. Fellowship, Marquette University, 2005-2006
• Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society (GCMAS) Student Conference Award, sponsored by Whitaker Foundation, 2004

Memberships

• American Society of Biomechanics (ASB)
• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)-Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS)
• Gait and Clinical Motion Analysis Society (GCMAS)
• Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA)

Research Partners

• Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Engineering Center, Milwaukee, WI
• Marquette University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Milwaukee, WI
• Shriners Hospitals for Children, Chicago, IL
• Medical College of Wisconsin, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Milwaukee, WI
• Medical College of Wisconsin, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• Rehabilitation Research Design and Disability (R2D2) Center, UWM, Milwaukee, WI
• Center for Ergonomics, UWM, Milwaukee, WI