As a mechanical R&D engineer, I lead the development of products in the medical, consumer, and industrial areas from initial concepts through prototyping, testing, manufacturing, and commercial release. I work directly with clients to realize their vision into robust products through mechanical design, planning and maintaining project schedules, coordinating with suppliers, and adhering to regulatory and quality guidelines, all while keeping the client informed and engaged throughout the development process.

My job as an Engineering Professor required me to wear many hats, including those of Teacher, Researcher, Mentor, and Administrator, and Supervisor. Collaborative Research & Design• Developed new research ideas into design and evaluation of technologies for improving human mobility performance through wearable sensing and biofeedback.• Led cross-functional teams of engineers and healthcare professionals through needs finding, study design and protocol development, data collection and analysis, and dissemination of results.• Established the first independent biomechanics research lab in the College of Engineering. • Developed successful proposals to competitive funding mechanisms at the local, state, and federal levels.• Directly mentored over 130 undergraduate and graduate students in research and design projects.Testing & Data Analysis• Developed strategies for implementing standard and custom test methods for characterizing the performance of 3D printed materials and prototypes, and translated test data to end-use applications.• Designed and executed hands-on experiments measuring human motion (EMG, force sensors, motion capture, wearable sensors) and evaluating the performance of assistive device technologies• Oversaw the development and maintenance of engineering laboratories and test programs, including equipment acquisition and maintenance, safety training, and implementation into existing lab spaces.Interdisciplinary Communication• Communicated complex mathematics, physics, and engineering concepts to technical and non-technical audiences in both in-person and virtual environments.• Published peer-reviewed articles on a variety of topics pertaining to biomedical and mechanical engineering, including prosthesis design, biofeedback, engineering education, and computational modeling. Publication List: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/matthew.leineweber.2/bibliography/publicClinical Trial: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05126485

My postdoctoral research focused on rehabilitation biomechanics and developing assistive technologies for individuals with mobility impairments. Interdisciplinary Collaboration• Worked with teams of occupational therapists, prosthetists, and other clinicians to identify patient needs to drive the development of new and effective assistive devices and treatment protocols.Data Analysis• Developed an innovative computational framework employing hybrid forward-inverse dynamics and optimization techniques to predict the effects of prosthesis design on users’ gait.Employed statistical packages and scientific computing software (SPSS, MATLAB) to identify meaningful trends and support research findings from large datasets from IMUs, motion capture, force plates, etc.Testing & Design• Gathered and analyzed robust biomechanics data (EMG, motion capture, force sensors) from both pediatric and adult populations to characterize mobility levels and evaluate the performance of various assistive-devices. • Collaborated with commercial partners to conduct the research-driven design of a novel prosthetic socket for providing real-time biofeedback on walking performance.• Designed and executed research protocols for characterizing human perception and response to vibrotactile feedback applied to the skin.• Led a team of student researchers designing a novel instrumentation system for monitoring the function of prosthetic knee joints during walking tasks.

Mechanical Testing & Design• Designed, conducted, and reported on benchtop experiments and cadaveric testing of medical implants (metals and polymers) to characterize their mechanical performance in simulated surgical environments.• Created and maintained CAD models and engineering drawings for surgical tools and implants.• Worked with senior engineers to develop early prototypes of a tensioning device for a novel sternal closure system with increased stability that has since gone to market.