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The Injury Biomechanics Research Center (IBRC) at The Ohio State University is a multi-disciplinary research center dedicated to investigating the relationships between human injury and physical mechanical properties. The IBRC has completed research in the field of automobile safety since 2004. The IBRC brings together an interdisciplinary team of engineers, anatomists, anthropologists, physicians, computer modelers and technicians who focus on both mechanisms of injury and injury thresholds of the human body. The IBRC has the capabilities to test biomechanical loading and impact scenarios with anthropomorphic test devices (crash test dummies), post-mortem human subjects, and non-injurious scenarios with research volunteers. The IBRC works closely with several Ohio State departments and many government and industry partners to offer one of the most diverse testing facilities in the country.
Once again, this summer the IBRC is looking for outstanding undergraduate students who would like to learn more about injury biomechanics research. We are currently accepting applications for our 2025 REU program through February 21st, 2025. The position will be a full-time appointment in the Injury Biomechanics Research Center, which will allow students to learn all aspects of injury biomechanics. Because the IBRC has multiple on-going projects, students are expected to be involved in a variety of projects at various levels, rather than being assigned to one specific project with one specific role.
A few of the responsibilities for this position may but are not limited to:
For more information about the REU position, including how to apply, please see the link below.
The mission of the Injury Biomechanics Symposium (IBS) is to stimulate and reward strong injury biomechanics research among students and recent graduates. The symposium offers a welcoming and inclusive environment where early-stage researchers can receive feedback and support for their original work. Participation from industry partners and sponsors provides networking opportunities for future careers.
We are excited to announce the 20th IBS will be held from May 18th – 20th, 2025 at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Abstracts for the 20th IBS are due Monday, February 10th and travel stipends will be awarded for all selected presenters. For more information, please download the call for abstracts or visit the 20th IBS website.
Our work encompasses all aspects of human injury and physical mechanical properties of the human body. Broad categories of research include the skeletal and soft tissue response of human subjects under loading; detailed analyses of human bone using advanced medical imaging and histological techniques; development of biofidelic response corridors for anthropomorphic test device (ATD) design; testing and validation of ATDs and finite element (FE) human body models; pediatric biomechanics; and child restraint system (CRS) testing and usability for car crash safety. All of the research conducted in the IBRC is collaborative, combining the efforts of students, faculty, and staff.
The Injury Biomechanics Research Center has launched the new Forensic Anthropology Skeletal Trauma (FAST) database, which includes data from experimental tests on human skeletal elements with known loading mechanisms. FAST features pre- and post-test imaging, data collected from advanced instrumentation during the impact event, and fracture analysis data. FAST is funded by the National Institute of Justice, and provides students and professionals the unique opportunity to explore a large sample of skeletal trauma on various regions of the human body and gain insight into objective trauma interpretation.
Whether an undergraduate student or a graduate student pursuing a PhD or Master’s degree, the Injury Biomechanics Research Center provides research opportunities across a wide array of majors. Those include Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biology, Anthropology, Health Sciences, and other pre-healthcare professional majors. Volunteering at the IBRC as a research assistant is an excellent way to gain experience and prepare for future post-graduate studies. We typically welcome 10 to 20 graduate students working and researching each year in our multidisciplinary center.
The IBRC offers several volunteer and paid positions to work in our research center throughout the year. Let us know if you’re interested in working with us.
Ready to show off your IBRC pride? Ohio State’s Injury Biomechanics Research Center Apparel Shop offers branded items to purchase — from T-shirts to hoodies and coffee mugs — that directly benefit the center. All proceeds from the IBRC Apparel Shop go to funding future projects and research.
Your support helps us fulfill our mission to investigate the relationships between human injury and physical mechanical properties, as well as provide student development and educational opportunities.