Rehabilitation and Neural Engineering Laboratory

Mehrdad Javidi, PhD

Mehrdad Javidi, PhD, is a postdoctoral associate in the Rehabilitation and Neural Engineering lab at the University of Pittsburgh. He received his PhD in Engineering Science (Bioengineering) from Washington State University in 2019. His PhD research aim was to experimentally measure the in-situ contractile properties of the kangaroo rat plantarflexor muscles (individually and as a group) and the mechanical properties of their tendons. These results were then integrated into forward dynamic simulations to predict maximum achievable jump heights and determine the sensitivity of maximal jump height to musculoskeletal properties. In general, findings of theses studies are applicable to the fields of designing high performance prostheses and next generation of bio-inspired robotic.

Research Interest Summary

Musculoskeletal Modeling, Biomechanics, Prosthetic Control, Neuroprosthetics, Neurorehabilitation, Muscle Physiology, Muscle Function.

Research Interests

Dr. Javidi is interested in incorporating the unique features of neuromuscular systems into engineered robotic systems. His current work focuses on real-time NeuroMusculoSkeletal (NMS) modeling of the lower limb with the aim of developing myoelectric controllers for the powered prosthetic ankle.  NMS models use experimentally measured EMG signals recorded from residual limb, to perform forward dynamic simulation of the musculoskeletal system to predict the moments at the prosthetic ankle joint.