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Darryl Thelen

Darryl Thelen

Bernard A. and Frances M. Weideman Professor
John Bollinger Chair of Mechanical Engineering
gscholar website
lab website

Prof. Thelen’s neuromuscular biomechanics lab develops computational models, wearable sensors and dynamic imaging protocols to investigate the structure, mechanics and behavior of musculoskeletal tissues within the human body. The tools are used to address clinical problems rehabilitation, orthopedics and sports medicine. His research has been supported by the NIH, NSF and a number of private companies and foundations.

Department

Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Engineering Hall
1415 Engineering Dr
Madison, WI
p: (608) 262-1902

Featured news

High throughput computing enables new insights on shear waves in tendons

December 4, 2023

Wearable sensor can help unlock the potential of exosuits in real-world environments

October 20, 2022
View more articles with Darryl Thelen

  • PhD 1992, University of Michigan
  • MS 1988, University of Michigan
  • BS 1987, Michigan State University

  • Dynamics and control of human movement
  • Wearable sensors in biomechanics
  • Neuromuscular adaptation with age, injury and disease
  • Imaging of soft tissue mechanics
  • Application of biomechanics in orthopedics, rehabilitation & sports medicine

  • 2022 Journal of Biomechanics, Journal of Biomechanics Award Finalist
  • 2021 45th American Society of Biomechanics Meeting, American Society of Biomechanics , Clinical Biomechanics Best Paper Award
  • 2020 College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, John Bollinger Chair of Mechanical Engineering
  • 2019 University of Wisconsin-Madison, Postdoctoral Mentor Award
  • 2018 College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Bernard A. and Frances M. Weideman Professorship
  • 2017 Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society, Best Paper Award
  • 2017 41st American Society of Biomechanics Meeting, American Society of Biomechanics, Clinical Biomechanics Best Paper Award
  • 2017 American Society of BIomechanics (ASB), Fellow
  • 2016 College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Harvey Spangler Award for Technology Enhanced Instruction
  • 2015 College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Harvey D. Spangler Professorship
  • 2015 39th American Society of Biomechanics Meeting, American Society of Biomechanics , Clinical Biomechanics Best Paper Award
  • 2014 University Housing, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Honored Instructors Award
  • 2013 American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Fellow
  • 2013 ASME, Winner, ASME Grand Challenge to Predict in vivo knee loads
  • 2010 Emed Scientific Meeting on Dynamic Load Distribution in Biomechanics, Emed Scientific , Best Paper Award
  • 2010 Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Biomedical Engineering Professor the Year
  • 2010 University Housing, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Honored Instructors Award
  • 2008 National Collegiate Athletics Association, Best Poster on Student-Athlete Well-being
  • 2008 North American Congress of Biomechanics, President’s Award for best poster
  • 2006 Journal of Biomechanics, Finalist, Journal of Biomechanics Award
  • 1997 National Science Foundation, NSF CAREER Award
  • 1992 Institute of Gerontology, University of Michigan, Postdoctoral Fellowship
  • 1991 Society of Automotive Engineers, Future Educator Award
  • 1990 Nissan Motor Corporation, Nissan Summer Seminar Fellow
  • 1986 Michigan State University, Engineering Scholastic Achievement Award
  • 1986 Phi Kappa Phi
  • 1986 Pi Tau Sigma
  • 1986 Mechanical Engineering Department, Michigan State University, Service Award
  • 1986 Tau Beta Pi

  • Reiter, A. J., Martin, J. A., Knurr, K. A., Adamczyk, P. G., & Thelen, D. (2024). Achilles Tendon Loading during Running Estimated via Shear Wave Tensiometry: A Step Towards Wearable Kinetic Analysis.. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise.
  • Blank, J. L., Thelen, D., & Roth, J. D. (2024). Regional shear wave speeds track regional axial stress in nonuniformly loaded fibrous soft tissues. Journal of Biomechanics, 167, 112071.
  • Welte, L., Blank, J. L., Cone, S. G., & Thelen, D. (2024). Ultrasound-tensiometry: a new method for measuring differential loading within a tendon during movement. Gait & Posture.
  • Cone, S. G., Kim, H., Thelen, D., & Franz, J. R. (2023). 3D characterization of the triple-bundle Achilles tendon from in vivo high-field MRI. Journal of Orthopaedic Researchtextregistered, 41(10), 2315--2321.
  • Schmitz, D. G., Thelen, D., & Cone, S. G. (2023). A single-sensor approach for noninvasively tracking phase velocity in tendons during dynamic movement. Micromachines, 15(1), 32.
  • Martin, J. A., & Thelen, D. (2023). A trained neural network model accurately predicts Achilles tendon stress during walking and running based on shear wave propagation. Journal of Biomechanics, 157, 111699.
  • Blank, J., & Thelen, D. (2023). Adjacent tissues reduce shear wave speeds in axially loaded tendons. Available at SSRN 4401636.
  • Ebrahimi, A., Martin, J. A., Schwartz, M. H., Novacheck, T. F., & Thelen, D. (2023). American Society of Biomechanics Clinical Biomechanics Award 2021: Redistribution of muscle-tendon work in children with cerebral palsy who walk in crouch. Clinical Biomechanics, 102, 105871.
  • Crawford, S. K., Thelen, D., Yakey, J. M., Heiderscheit, B. C., Wilson, J. J., & Lee, K. S. (2023). Regional shear wave elastography of Achilles tendinopathy in symptomatic versus contralateral Achilles tendons. European radiology, 33(1), 720--729.
  • Reiter, A., Fritz, J., Canseco, K., Kraus, J., Thelen, D., & Lenhart, R. (2023). Residual Asymmetries In Functional Achilles Tendon Loading Following Rupture And Repair: A Preliminary Analysis: 2644. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 55(9S), 889--890.

  • M E 352 - Interdisciplinary Experiential Design Projects II (Spring 2025)
  • M E 489 - Honors in Research (Spring 2025)
  • M E 491 - Mechanical Engineering Projects I (Spring 2025)
  • B M E 790 - Master's Research and Thesis (Fall 2024)
  • M E 351 - Interdisciplinary Experiential Design Projects I (Fall 2024)
  • M E 489 - Honors in Research (Fall 2024)
  • M E 491 - Mechanical Engineering Projects I (Fall 2024)
  • B M E 790 - Master's Research and Thesis (Summer 2024)
  • M E 890 - PhD Research and Thesis (Summer 2024)
  • B M E 399 - Independent Study (Spring 2024)
  • B M E 790 - Master's Research and Thesis (Spring 2024)
  • M E 352 - Interdisciplinary Experiential Design Projects II (Spring 2024)
  • B M E 399 - Independent Study (Fall 2023)
  • B M E 790 - Master's Research and Thesis (Fall 2023)
  • B M E 799 - Advanced Independent Study (Fall 2023)
  • M E 351 - Interdisciplinary Experiential Design Projects I (Fall 2023)
  • M E 352 - Interdisciplinary Experiential Design Projects II (Fall 2023)
  • M E 491 - Mechanical Engineering Projects I (Fall 2023)
  • B M E 990 - Research and Thesis (Summer 2023)
  • M E 990 - Dissertator Research and Thesis (Summer 2023)