- About BABEL
- People
- Research
- Resources
- Technology Commercialization
Current Graduate Students
Dan Robertson is an Ph.D. student working on characterizing the constitutive response of the supraspinous ligament using a novel anisotropic small punch technique. Dan received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Brigham Young University - Idaho in 2008. Dan married his wife Jessica in December of 2009.
Keith Stolworthy is a Ph.D. student working on developing compliant mechanism spinal implants that can mechanically support in vivo regenerative efforts in the lumbar spine. Keith received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Brigham Young University in 2009, shortly after he entered the BABEL research group to build the lab's spine tester, coined MASSUCE (pronounced "masseus"). Keith has research experience in biomechanical testing of the lumbar spine and hopes to use this understanding to improve testing methods that support the development of spinal orthopaedic devices. Keith and his wife, Keri, married in October of 2008, and they have two children
Jeremy Alsup is a M.S. student working on the development of a cadaveric model that mimics the degeneration of the intervertebral disc using a protease injection. Jeremy received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Brigham Young University in 2009.
Greg Von Forell is an M.S. student working on using nonlinear finite element analysis to understand the role of spinal ligaments in providing passive stability to the lumbar spine. Greg received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Brigham Young University in 2009.
Jeff Harris is an M.S. student working on using nonlinear finite element analysis to understand the role of a posterior dynamic stabilization system on lumbar spine biomechanics. Jeff received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Brigham Young University in 2009.
Darrell Skousen is a M.S. student working on developing compliant stent systems using new materials. He received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Brigham Young University in April, 2011. He worked as an undergraduate research assistant doing data processing with Keith Stolworthy. Darrell married his wife Breanna in 2009, and they have one child.
Sean Tolman is a Ph.D. student working on developing a compliant padding technology that can be used in sports equipment such as football pads or shin guards. Sean Received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from BYU and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Utah and is a registered Professional Engineer in Utah. Prior to starting the PhD program at BYU, Sean worked as a test engineer at Exponent in Phoenix, AZ, and as an automotive safety engineer at Collision Safety Engineering in Orem, UT. Sean is also currently an instructor in the Pre-Engineering department at Utah Valley University in Orem, UT teaching courses in engineering mechanics