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Faculty

Biological Sciences has more than 60 full-time faculty members, as well as more than 20 faculty with joint appointments and 15 visiting or adjunct professors. Among its many distinctions and honors, the Ph.D. program faculty includes two members of the National Academy of Sciences, four members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and 18 holders of endowed chairs and professorships.

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-  
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Contact - Glen Smith - Department of Biological Sciences | Hancock Auditorium and Museum (AHF) 107G
University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA 90089-0371
(213) 740-5774 Tel. | (213) 740-8123 Fax | E-mail: glensmit@usc.edu