GREGORY S. SAWICKI, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering

Director, Human PoWeR (Physiology of Wearable Robotics) Laboratory

Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

North Carolina State University

 

--> Contact Information

Snail Mail:
Gregory S. Sawicki
Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering
NC State University and UNC Chapel Hill
Room #4130 EB3 Bldg.
911 Oval Drive
Campus Box 7115
NC State University
Raleigh, NC 27695-7115

 

Office E-mail: greg_sawicki@ncsu.edu

Personal E-mail: gregorysawicki@gmail.com

Cell Phone: 734-353-0283

Office Phone: 919-513-0787

Fax: 919-513-7601

--> Research Interests

Generally, I am interested in the mechanics, energetics, and control of terrestrial locomotion.

For my doctoral dissertation studies I used powered exoskeletons as a tool to understand the contribution of ankle joint mechanical power to the metabolic cost of walking.

My current research focus is on the mechanics and control of the muscle-tendon unit. I use simple mechanical models to explore how elastic mechanisms can be exploited to allow for economical force production and optimal mechanical energy transfer. Model predictions are tested experimentally in (1) human Achilles' tendon-triceps surae (using ultrasound) and (2) bullfrog plantaris muscle-tendon (using sonomicrometry).

The overall goal of my laboratory is to use biological principles to develop better lower-limb robotic devices to assist both healthy and impaired human locomotion.

--> Education