Carl Luchies, Ph.D.

Associated Tracks

-Biomechanics & Neural Engineering

-Biomedical Product Design & Development

Research Interests

-Effects of Age and Disorders on the Biomechanics of Balance, Gait, and Motor Control

Short Bio

Dr. Luchies joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering in 1996. He was previously an Engineering Physics faculty member at Hope College (1991 – 1996). At KU, Dr. Luchies has served as the Interim Director of the Human Performance Laboratory at the KU Medical Center (2004 – 2006) and was the Academic Director of the Bioengineering Graduate Program (2007 – 2010). He holds a secondary faculty appointment in the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science at the KU Medical Center. Dr. Luchies has received the Louise Byrd Graduate Educator Award (2010), a campus-wide recognition for scholarly activity as well as devotion to graduate students and graduate education. He also received the School of Engineering Miller Scholar Award three times, the Wesley G. Cramer Mechanical Engineering Faculty Award twice, and the Center for Teaching Excellence in Teaching Award once. He directs the KU-Korea University of Technology Joint Master’s degree program.

Dr. Luchies leads the Biodynamics Research Laboratory which integrates the methodology of mechanical engineering with the biological and medical sciences to study the mechanics of the human musculoskeletal system. Experimental studies, mathematical modeling, and computer simulations are conducted to produce insights into the biomechanics of human balance and motor control related to aging and neurological disease. Dr. Luchies collaborates with colleagues in the KUMC Center on Aging, Movement Disorders Clinic, and Molecular and Integrative Physiology. He has published over 20 refereed articles and is a member of the Society of Neuroscience.