Karl Zelik

A new peer-reviewed study shows that a back-relieving exosuit originally developed at Vanderbilt University and then commercialized by spin-off company HeroWear can simultaneously increase lifting endurance and reduce injury risk. This has important implications for the future of workplace safety and for workers in civilian and defense sectors. The results… Read More

The Apex 2 exosuit is giving Australian defense personnel a boost. (RAAF)   A back-relieving exosuit designed by Vanderbilt spin-off company HeroWear is continuing to show its effectiveness with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) ordering hundreds of additional suits and eyeing larger expansion. HeroWear, a Nashville-based workforce wearable… Read More

Karl Zelik, associate professor of mechanical engineering at Vanderbilt University, is using wearable technology to explore better patient recovery methods from shinbone fractures and the surgeries required to repair them. The research team has received $2.7 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for this 5-year project. Karl… Read More

Karl Zelik, associate professor of mechanical and biomedical engineering and physical medicine and rehabilitation, is being recognized for his contributions to the field of biomechanics with a prestigious Goel Award from the American Society of Biomechanics. Karl Zelik The award recognizes outstanding accomplishments in translational biomechanics research, entrepreneurship, and… Read More

A university leadership committee has approved Discovery Vanderbilt investments into three faculty-initiated startups—HeroWear, IDBiologics and Virtuoso Surgical Inc.—as part of its mission from the offices of the chancellor and provost to boost innovation across the university. Read More

Bradley Malin and Karl Zelik were among eight Vanderbilt faculty members who received 2023 Spring Faculty Awards at the Spring Faculty Assembly April 10. Recipients were recognized for their significant impact through scholarship, research, creative expression, service, teaching or mentoring. Malin received the Alexander Heard Distinguished Service Professor Award. Read More

A team of Vanderbilt engineers have completed a collaborative project with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell to design and test a first-of-its-kind exoskeleton that supports U.S. Army soldiers participating in sustainment and logistics operations. The exoskeleton—the Soldier Assistive Bionic Exosuit for Resupply,… Read More

Engineering professors John T. Wilson and Karl Zelik join 11 outstanding faculty members from across the university as the 2022 class of Chancellor Faculty Fellows. The cohort comprises highly accomplished, recently tenured faculty. “Vanderbilt’s faculty drive the pathbreaking research and transformative education that set our university apart,” Chancellor Daniel Diermeier… Read More

by Jenna Somers  Two Vanderbilt professors were awarded Pathfinder seed funding for a project that could benefit soldiers by optimizing their neurological performance through suggested behavior protocol and by improving aircraft design and equipment to reduce the effects of in-flight vibration and percussion. … Read More

Warehouse case study shows how much exoskeletons reduce musculoskeletal wear-and-tear–cumulative damage–and low back disorder (LBD) risk to workers. A study led by researchers from Vanderbilt University’s Center for Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology reveals a breakthrough tool to assess the effect of exoskeletons on injury risk. The tool, called… Read More