Date:  Jan. 20, 2009
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Place:  3210 Shelby Center

Gary Mirka
Professor and Chair
Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Iowa State University 

Mirka received his bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in industrial engineering from Ohio State University. He was a member of North Carolina State University's faculty until 2007, when he joined the faculty at Iowa State. His research interests include occupational safety and ergonomics with particular emphasis on spine biomechanics, lower back injury prevention and ergonomic intervention effectiveness research. He has been recognized by the construction, agriculture, commercial fishing and furniture manufacturing industries.

Stochastic Modeling of Biomechanical Systems
Mirka will discuss methods of characterizing trunk muscle coactivation patterns and lifting kinematics profiles, including a novel lower back injury risk assessment methodology, as well as cumulative and acute trauma risks to the musculoskeletal system.