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
1217-D College of Textiles Bldg.
1000 Main Campus Drive
Campus Box 8301
NC State University
Raleigh, NC 27695-8301

Office E-mail: greg_sawicki@ncsu.edu

Personal E-mail: gregorysawicki@gmail.com

Office Phone: 919-513-0787

Mobile Phone: 734-353-0283

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) bullfrog plantaris muscle-tendon (using sonomicrometry) and (2) human Achilles' tendon-triceps surae (using ultrasound).

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

--> Education