USC College Department of Biological Sciences

Faculty Roster

Jill L. McNitt-Gray

Professor of Kinesiology, Biological Sciences, and Biomedical Engineering
Director, Integrative and Evolutionary Graduate Program

Contact Information
E-mail: mcnitt@usc.edu
Phone: (213) 740-7902
Office: PED 107

LINKS
Biomechanics Research Lab

Education

A.B. Mathematics and Statistics, Coaching Certification, Miami University, 5/1980
M.A. Biomechanics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 5/1985
Ph.D. Biomechanics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, 5/1989

Academic Appointment, Affiliation, and Employment History

Tenure Track Appointments

Professor, University of Southern California, 02/03/2006-
Joint Appointment Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, 01/01/2002-
Joint Appointment Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, 01/01/1989-
Associate Professor with Tenure, University of Southern California, 01/01/1994-02/03/2006
Assistant Professor, University of Southern California, 01/01/1988-01/01/1994

Other Employment

Research Assistant, The Pennsylvania State University, 01/01/1985-01/01/1988
Graduate Student, Laboratory Assistant, University of North Carolina, 01/01/1983-01/01/1985
Load Research/Load Management Energy Analyst, American Electric Power Service Corporation, 01/01/1980-01/01/1983

Description of Research

Summary Statement of Research Interests

Professor McNitt-Gray studies mechanisms organisms use to control and distribute mechanical load during goal-directed multijoint movements involving external loading.

Research Keywords

biomechanics, multijoint movement, impact, motor control, neuroscience, mechanical engineering, injury prevention, performance, sport , clinical populations, ergonomics, rehabilitation engineering

Research Specialties

biomechanics mechanical engineering neuroscience injury mechanics dynamics musculoskeletal modeling motor control integrative biology

Detailed Statement of Research Interests

Dr McNitt-Gray’s research focuses on the control and dynamics of physically-demanding goal-directed movements of daily living. Hypotheses tested target mechanisms organisms(including humans)use to control energy transfer during interaction with their environment. This is accomplished by integrating biomechanics-based experimentation, mathematical and dynamic modeling techniques, and computer simulation.

Affiliations with Research Centers, Labs, and Other Institutions

Biomechanics Research Lab, Director,http://www.usc.edu/dept/LAS/kinesiology/biomech/index.htm
Center for Robotics and Embedded Systems,http://cres.usc.edu/Research/labs.php
Get SSet Sports Science, Engineering, and Technology Academy, Co-Director,http://www.sdsa.org/pub/sdsa_docs/programs/getsset.html
Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Consultant/Collaborator
UCLA Dept of Music, Music Education,http://www.music.ucla.edu/People/Faculty%20bios/FHeuser.html
USC Athletics, Biomechanics/Performance Consultant
USC Center for Excellence in Teaching National Science Foundation Young Scholars Program, Mentor,http://www.usc.edu/admin/provost/cet/

Publications

Journal Article

Mathiyakom, W., McNitt-Gray, J. L. (2007). Regulation of angular impulse during fall recovery. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development.
Mathiyakom, W., McNitt-Gray, J. L. (2007). Mathiyakom, W., McNitt-Gray, J.L. (i2007). Keeping your shoulders healthy, Dimensions of Dental Hygiene, 5(1. Dimensions in Dental Hygiene/Belmont Publications, Inc.. Vol. NA
McNitt-Gray, J. L. (2007). Mathiyakom, W. *& McNitt-Gray, J.L. & Wilcox, R. (2007). Regulation of angular impulse during two forward translating tasks, Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 23, 149-61. Journal of Applied Biomechanics.
McNitt-Gray, , Mathiyakom, W. (2006). McNitt-Gray, J.L., Mathiyakom, W. (2006). Reducing the mechanical demand: How to maintain musculoskeletal health while generating sufficient force for effective periodontal instrumentation, Dimensions of Dental Hygiene, 4(3): 18-21. Dimensions in Dental Hygiene/Belmont Publications, Inc.. Vol. 4(3), pp. 18-21.
Mathiyakom, W., McNitt-Gray, , Wilcox, R. R. (2006). Mathiyakom, W.*, McNitt-Gray, J.L. & Wilcox, R. (2006). Lower extremity control and dynamics during backward angular impulse generation in backward translating tasks, Experimental Brain Research, 169(3):377-88. Experimental Brain Research/Springer. Vol. 169(3), pp. 377-88.
McNitt-Gray, (2006). McNitt-Gray, J.L., Requejo, P.S., & Flashner, H. (2006). Multijoint control strategies transfer between tasks, Biological Cybernetics. 94(6):501-10. Biological Cybernetics/Springer. Vol. 94(6), pp. 501-10.
Mathiyakom, W., McNitt-Gray, , Wilcox, R. R. (2006). Mathiyakom, W.*, McNitt-Gray, J.L. & Wilcox, R. (2006). Lower extremity control and dynamics during backward angular impulse generation in forward translating tasks, Journal of Biomechanics, 39(6):990-1000. Journal of Biomechanics/Elsevier. Vol. 39(6), pp. 990-1000.
Mathiyakom, W., McNitt-Gray, , Wilcox, R. R. (2006). Mathiyakom, W. *, McNitt-Gray, J.L. & Wilcox, R. (accepted). Regulation of angular impulse during forward translating tasks, Journal of Applied Biomechanics. Journal of Applied Biomechanics/Human Kinetics. Vol. NA

Multimedia Scholarship and Creative Works

Multimedia, Multimedia data base for analyzing movement http://www.usc.edu/dept/LAS/kinesiology/biomech/gallery.htm, 06/01/1992-

Honors and Awards

Zumberge Fellow for Interdisciplinary Research with Flashner, H., University of Southern California, 1998., 8/1/1998-
Winner of Prince Alexandre de Merode Award- Physical Sciences- International Olympic Committee, Medical Commission, 2002. Requejo P.S.*, McNitt-Gray, J.L., & Flashner, H. Flight phase joint control required for successful gymnastics landings. Presented by P.S. Requejo., 8/1/1988-
Gymnastic Federation and Panasonic Gold Award, 1992
USC Innovative Teaching Award, USC Center for Excellence in Teaching Innovative Teaching Award, 1992

Service to the University

Administrative Appointments

Director, Integrative and Evolutionary Graduate Program, 02/02/2002-