Richard R. Neptune

Dr. Richard Neptune earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Davis in 1996 and has served on the Department of Mechanical Engineering faculty at UT Austin since 2001 in the Biomechanical Engineering and Dynamic Systems & Control programs. Dr. Neptune's research interests are in the areas of musculoskeletal and sport biomechanics and neuromotor control of human movement. His research integrates musculoskeletal modeling, computer simulation and experimental analysis techniques to analyze various patient populations including lower-limb amputees and those with post-stroke hemiparesis. Additional research is directed at optimizing orthotic and prosthetic designs to enhance performance using Solid Freeform Fabrication techniques. His research is supported by the Whitaker Foundation, National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health. In 2002, Dr. Neptune received the American Society of Biomechanics Young Scientist Award. In 2004, he received a CAREER award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Da Vinci Award from the Engineering Society of Detroit and National Multiple Sclerosis Society for the application of Selective Laser Sintering techniques to improve mobility for those with lower-limb disabilities. In 2006, he received the Outstanding Young Scientist Award from the Houston Society for Engineering in Medicine and Biology. He is on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Applied Biomechanics and an Associate Editor for the ASME Journal of Biomechanical Engineering. He currently holds the George and Dawn L. Coleman Centennial Fellowship in Engineering.