I’m most interested in trying to solve difficult research problems that exist at the intersection of solid mechanics, mechanical design, biomechanics, vibrations, acoustics, optimization, and new measurement techniques (e.g., Vibrational Analysis, Acoustics, Digital Image Correlation, etc.).I think that finding a balance between particular analysis/modeling and unconventional creative experimentation is the key to innovative engineering. Neither modeling nor experiments can stand on their own.My Ph.D. research focused on characterizing the mechanical properties of in vivo human thigh skin during different sitting postures. I drew inspiration from the mechanical properties of soft tissues in the human body that we still have a long path to make similar materials that outperform even the most high-tech materials. By studying the relationship between structure and mechanical properties in soft tissue materials, I hoped to uncover new mechanical design principles that could be used to create stronger, tougher engineering materials, and to design biomedical devices and artificial organs.