http://sites.utexas.edu/neptune/

Dr. Richard R. Neptune earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Davis and has served on the Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering faculty at UT Austin since 2001. His research seeks to improve the quality of life for individuals with movement disabilities by integrating musculoskeletal modeling, computer simulation and experimental analyses to identify the biomechanical and neuromotor mechanisms that contribute to locomotor impairments. His research also seeks to improve the performance of orthotic and prosthetic devices using design optimization and advanced additive manufacturing techniques. He has received a number of awards for his teaching and research including the CAREER award from the National Science Foundation, the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Award for Excellence in Engineering Teaching, the Van C. Mow Medal from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and the Founders Award from the American Society of Biomechanics. He is a fellow of both the American Society of Biomechanics and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He currently holds the William and Bettye Nowlin Chair in Engineering.

Recent Publications

1. Brough, L.G., Klute, G.K., and Neptune R.R. (2021). Biomechanical response to mediolateral foot-placement perturbations during walking. Journal of Biomechanics 116: 110213.

2. Walford, S.L., Rankin, J.W., Mulroy, S.J., and Neptune, R.R. (2021). The relationship between the hand pattern used during fast wheelchair propulsion and shoulder pain development. Journal of Biomechanics 116: 110202.

3. Harper, N.L., Wilken, J.M., and Neptune, R.R. (2020). Muscle contributions to balance control during amputee and non-amputee stair ascent. ASME Journal of Biomechanical Engineering 142(12): 121007(1-8).

4. Frame, H.B., Finetto, C., Dean, J.C., and Neptune, R.R. (2020). The influence of lateral stabilization on walking performance and balance control in healthy and post-stroke individuals. Clinical Biomechanics 73: 172-180.

5. Neptune, R.R. and Vistamehr, A. (2019). Dynamic balance during human movement: measurement and control mechanisms. ASME Journal of Biomechanical Engineering 141(7): 070801(1-10).

6. Walford, S.L., Requejo, P.S., Mulroy, S.J. and Neptune, R.R. (2019). Predictors of shoulder pain in manual wheelchair users. Clinical Biomechanics 65:1-12.

7. Brough, L.G., Kautz, S.A., Bowden, M.G., Gregory, C.M. and Neptune R.R. (2019). Merged plantarflexor muscle activity is predictive of poor walking performance in post-stroke hemiparetic subjects. Journal of Biomechanics 82: 361-367.

8. Shell, C.E., Klute, G.K. and Neptune, R.R. (2018). Identifying classifier input signals to predict a cross-slope during transtibial amputee walking. PLOS One 13(2): e0192950: 1-17.