Jamie R. Williams, Ph.D. Biomedical Engineer & Biomechanics Expert

Biomedical Engineer / Biomechanics and Bioengineering
Child Passenger Safety Technician

Investigates and analyzes biomechanical and biomedical injuries; injury causation; and medical equipment, devices and implants.

Assesses Injuries: Applying physics, anatomy and physiology, assesses injuries involving:

• traumatic brain injuries and skull fractures;
• neck, back and spinal cord injuries;
• orthopedic and neurologic injuries;
• vascular ruptures;
• abdominal organs;
• heart, lungs, skin (including burns) and other organs;
• musculo-skeletal injuries including joints (i.e., shoulders, knees, ankles and elbows), soft tissues (i.e., rotator cuff, tendons and ligaments), and fracture patterns (torso, long bone, hand, foot or skull).

Determines Cause: Applying engineering principles, determines:

• the manner in which tissue failed: the type of loading, the direction of loading and magnitude or size of the load that caused the injury;
• if injury patterns are causally related or consistent with the hazardous condition or circumstances claimed;
• whether there was sufficient force in the right direction to cause an injury;
• the presence of pre-existing conditions and how they affect the injury;
• who and/or what action contributed to the injuries;
• what could have been done to prevent the injuries.

Typical Personal Injury Cases Involve:

• motor vehicle collisions;
• slips, trips and falls;
• medical malpractice or device failures;
• occupational and work place injuries;
• sports and recreational injuries.

Professional Experience

Provide technical investigations, analysis, reports, and testimony towards the resolution of personal injury litigation involving injury analysis and causation, medical equipment, medical devices, and procedures.

 

 

Visiting Professor 2007-present
Assistant Director Orthopedic Biomechanics Laboratory 2006-2007
Responsible for operational oversight of all research conducted within the laboratory. Coordinated use of equipment and laboratory space, acquisition of biological specimens and supplies as well as supervised research and technical personnel. Provided classroom and laboratory instruction to undergraduate and graduate engineering students in the fields of bioengineering, biomedical engineering and biomechanics. Mentored, taught and advised medical students, residents, fellows and surgeons in basic biomechanics as well as laboratory and experimental techniques.

Assistant Professor 2005-2007
Functioned as an independent researcher focused on establishing an extramurally-funded research group. Responsible for government and industry funded research projects. Government funded research primarily aimed at defining the mechanical and biological factors responsible for the onset and progression of intervertebral disc degeneration. Industry funded research included FDA 510K and PMA pre-market and post-market testing of medical devices. Mentored and taught graduate and undergraduate engineering students.

Instructor 2003-2005

• Worked as an independent researcher establishing new areas of research in the biomechanical initiation and progression of spinal injuries under creep and repetitive loading conditions and developing, verifying and validating new testing methods including but not limited to dynamic loading of spinal segments using a closed fluid flow system, acoustic detection of tissue failures, dynamic measurement of facet joint contact surfaces and restoration of fluid flow during dynamic loading of functional spinal units.
• Collaborated with the faculty and staff at the Implant Pathology and Biocompatibility Laboratory. Was trained on the retrieval, handling/preparation and analysis of medical devices and accompanying biological specimens.

Worked under the direction of clinical and engineering research faculty on a variety of biomedical engineering projects involving human motion analysis (gait, activities of daily living and occupational activities), measurement and data collection using diagnostic images (radiographs, MRIs and CT), mechanical testing of tissues and systems using cadaveric and animal samples, computer programming and statistics. Responsible for coordinating multi-disciplinary research teams to design, develop, conduct and analyze experimental studies aimed at characterizing the biomechanical response of the spine under static, quasi-static and dynamic conditions and the effect of biochemical alterations of the intervertebral disc.

Worked under the direction of faculty and graduate students on a variety of biomedical engineering projects including but not limited to measurement and data collection using diagnostic images (radiographs, MRIs and CT), computer programing, development and use of computational models, mechanical testing and human cadaver kinematic and kinetic testing. Participated in multi-disciplinary research teams to design, develop, conduct and analyze experimental studies aimed at elucidating mechanical causes of spinal injuries and pathologies as well as the efficacy of spinal instrumentation for treating these injuries and pathologies. Collaborated with industry on FDA pre-market and post-market testing of orthopedic devices such as cervical and lumbar interbody cages, cervical and lumbar fusion constructs and upper extremity external fixators.

 

Education

Ph.D., Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, 2004
M.S., Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, 2001
B.S.E., Biomedical Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, 1999

Professional Memberships

• Orthopaedic Research Society
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers
  • Bioengineering Technical Division

Certifications

• CarFit Technician, AARP, AAA and AOTA, 2018
• Child Passenger Safety Technician, Safe Kids Worldwide, 2016-present
• Group Fitness Instructor, American Council on Exercise, 2005-2007
• Scuba Diver, YMCA
• Advanced Open Water Diver, PADI

Patents

9022213 Medical Device Retrieval Kit

Publications

• 2015:
  • J.R. Williams, C.A. O'Donel, P.J. Leiss. “Effects of LATCH versus Available Seatbelt Installation of Rear Facing Child Restraint Systems on Head Injury Criteria for 6 Month Old Infants in Rear End Collisions,” Traffic Injury Prevention, 16(S2):17-24.
• 2008:
  • R.N. Natarajan, J.R. Williams, S.A. Lavender, H.S. An, G.B. Anderson. “Relationship Between Disc Injury and Manual Lifting: a Poroelastic Finite Element Model Study,” Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Part H, Journal of Engineering in Medicine, 222(2):195-207
• 2007:
  • J.R. Williams, R.N. Natarajan,G.B. Andersson. “Inclusion of Regional Poroelastic Material Properties Better Predicts Biomechanical Behavior of Lumbar Discs Subjected to Dynamic Loading,” Journal of Biomechanics. 40(9):1981-7
• 2006:
  • R.N. Natarajan, J.R. Williams, G.B.J. Andersson. “Modeling Changes in Intervertebral Disc Mechanics with Degeneration,” Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (Am), Suppl 2:36-40
• 2004:
  • R.N. Natarajan, J.R. Williams, G.B.J. Andersson. “Recent Advancements in Analytical Modeling of Lumbar Disc Degeneration,” Spine, 29(23): 2733-2741
• 2003:
  • J.R. Williams, “Numerical Investigation of Lumbar Disc Injury Under Cyclic Loading Conditions.” Doctoral Dissertation
• 2001:
  • R.N. Natarajan, J.R. Williams, G.B.J. Andersson. “Finite Element Model of a Lumbar Spinal Motion Segment to Predict Circadian Variation in Stature,” Computers & Structures, 81(8-11): p.835-842
• 2000:
  • J.R. Williams, “Biomechanical Response of a Lumbar Motion Segment Under Cyclic Loading.” Masters Thesis

Papers Presented at Scientific Meetings

• 2018:
  • C.A. O’Donel, J.R. Williams, D. Jamison. “Evaluation of Current Injury Assessment Reference Values in the Pediatric Population,” Transactions of the 2018 Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Meeting
  • V. Ngai, M Truman, J Williams, J Medley. “Forensic Application of BioTribology,” 4th International Conference on BioTribology
  • C.A. O’Donel, D. Jamison, J.R. Williams. “Pediatric Neck Injuries Sustained During Rear-End Collisions and the Use of Nij,” Transaction of the Annual Meeting, Orthopaedic Research Society
• 2017:
  • J.R. Williams, C.A. O'Donel, P.J. Leiss. “Influence of Design Characteristics of Rear-Facing Child Restraint Systems on Occupant Kinematics of 6-Month-Old ATD During Rear-End Collisions,” International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers
  • C.A. O’Donel and J.R. Williams. “Effects of Tethering on Pediatric Neck Injury During Rear End Collisions,” Transactions of the Annual Meeting, Orthopaedic Research Society
• 2015:
  • J.R. Williams, C.A. O'Donel, P.J. Leiss. “Effects of LATCH versus Available Seatbelt Installation of Rear Facing Child Restraint Systems on Head Injury Criteria for 6 Month Old Infants in Rear End Collisions,” Annual Meeting of the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine
• 2008:
  • Y. Otuska, H.S. An, J.R. Williams, K. Yamaguchi, R.S. Ochia, G.B. Andersson, N. Inoue. “Measurement of Three-Dimensional Lumbar Facet Joint Orientation and Area: In Vivo Analysis,” Transcripts of the 39th Annual Meeting, Scoliosis Research Society
• 2007:
  • R.N. Natarajan, J.R. Williams, S.A. Lavender, G.B. Andersson. “Lifting That Involves Lateral Bending of the Trunk is More Harmful to the Lumbar Disc Than That Involves Flexing or Twisting of the Trunk,” Transactions of the 53rd Annual Meeting, Orthopaedic Research Society
  • R.N. Natarajan, J.R. Williams, G.B. Andersson. “Biomechanical Comparison Between Two Techniques Used in Modeling Annular Fiber in a Lumbar Motion Segment,” Transactions of the 53rd Annual Meeting, Orthopaedic Research Society
  • Y. Otska, H.S. An, R.S. Ochia, J.R. Williams, G.B. Andersson, N. Inoue. “In Vivo Measurement of Lumbar Facet Surface Area,” Transactions of the 53rd Annual Meeting, Orthopaedic Research Society
• 2006:
  • R.N. Natarajan, J.R. Williams, G.B.J. Andersson, “Numerical Model to Predict the Failure Progression in a Lumbar Disc Due to Cyclic Loading,” American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Bioengineering Division
  • J.R. Williams, R.N. Natarajan, G.B.J. Andersson, “Increase in the Water Content of Degenerated Disc Tissues Does Not Restore Mechanical Response to That of a Normal Disc,” Summer Bioengineering Conference, American Society of Mechanical Engineers Bioengineering Division
• 2005:
  • J.R. Williams, R.N. Natarajan, G.B.J. Andersson, “Comparison of the Biomechanical Response of a Lumbar Motion Segment to Loading and Unloading When Loads are Applied Suddenly and at Normal Lifting Speeds,” International Society of Biomechanics Annual Meeting
  • J.R. Williams, R.N. Natarajan, G.B.J. Andersson, “Biomechanical Response of a Lumbar Motion Segment Under Physiological Loading Condition that Includes Large Shear Loads,” Summer Bioengineering Conference, American Society of Mechanical Engineers Bioengineering Division
• 2004:
  • J.R. Williams, R.N. Natarajan, G.B.J. Andersson, “Prediction of Endplate Bulging With and Without Inclusion of Physiological Swelling Pressure and Strain Dependent Permeability and Porosity,” International Mechanical Engineering Congress and R&D Expo, American Society of Mechanical Engineers
  • J.R. Williams, R.N. Natarajan, G.B.J. Andersson, “Better Understanding of Biomechanical Response of Cadaveric Lumbar Motion Segments to Creep Loading and Unloading,” International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine
• 2003:
  • J.R. Williams, R.N. Natarajan, G.B.J. Andersson, “Effect of Regional Variations in Material Properties of the Disc on Circadian Variation in Stature,” Conference Proceedings, 27th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics
  • J.R. Williams, R.N. Natarajan, G.B.J. Andersson, “Numerical Investigation of Circadian Variation in Stature,” Proceedings of the Summer Bioengineering Conference, Bioengineering Division of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers
  • J.R. Williams, R.N. Natarajan, G.B.J. Andersson, “Influence of Lumbar Disc Fluid Content on Axial Disc Stiffness During Creep Loading and Unloading: A Poroelastic Finite Element Study Including the Effect of Strain Dependent Permeability and Soft Tissue Swelling,” International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine
  • J.R. Williams, R.N. Natarajan, G.B.J. Andersson, “Change in Water Content has Greater Effect on Lumbar Disc Stiffness in Comparison to Change in Permeability,” Transactions of the 49th Annual Meeting, Orthopaedic Research Society, February, Vol. 28
• 2002:
  • J.R. Williams, R.N. Natarajan, G.B.J. Andersson, “Numerical Investigation of Biomechanical Response of a Lumbar Motion Segment Under Repetitive Loading Conditions,” International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine
  • J.R. Williams, R.N. Natarajan, G.B.J. Andersson, “Numerical Investigation of Circadian Variation in Stature and the Effects of Spinal Loading,” Transactions of the 48th Annual Meeting, Orthopaedic Research Society, February, Vol. 27
• 2001:
  • R.N. Natarajan, J.R. Williams, G.B.J. Andersson. “Effect of Lifting Speed on the Biomechanical Behavior of a Lumbar Spinal Motion Segment,” Conference Proceedings, Twenty-Fifth Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics
  • Raghu N. Natarajan, Jamie R. Williams, Gunnar B.J. Andersson. “Biomechanical Response in a Lumbar Motion Segment to Dynamic Lifting Activity,” Bioengineering Conference, ASME 2001, Vol. 50
  • R.N. Natarajan, J.R. Williams, G.B.J. Andersson. “Effect of Frequency of Cyclic Loading on Biomechanical Characteristics of Human Lumbar Intervertebral Joints,” International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine, 2001

Federal and Non-Federal Grants Received

2006 to 2011
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration and Regeneration: Biomechanical and Biochemical Aspects; Project 2: Biomechanical Effects of Repetitive Loading on the Lumbar Motion Segment, Gunnar Andersson, M.D., Ph.D., Principal Investigator, Co-Investigator, National Institutes of Health

2006 to 2011
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration and Regeneration: Biomechanical and Biochemical Aspects; Project 1: Relationship Between Disc and Facet Degeneration and Lumbar Kinematics, Nozomu Inoue, M.D., Ph.D., Principal Investigator, Co-Investigator, National Institutes of Health

2001 to 2006
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration and Regeneration: Biomechanical and Biochemical Aspects; Project 2: Relationship Between Disc Injury and Repetitive Lifting (AR 48152-02), Gunnar Andersson, M.D., Ph.D., Principal Investigator. Graduate Student, National Institutes of Health

Industry Contracts Received

2006 to 2007
Three-Dimensional Facet Kinematics in Healthy and Degenerated Discs in Lumbar Motion Segments, Co-Principal Investigator, Stryker

2006 to 2007
Endplate Microfracture Initiation of Disc Degeneration, Co-Investigator, Zimmer Spine Inc.

2006 to 2007
Biomechanical Comparison of C1-2 Posterior Fixation Techniques, Co- Investigator, Stryker

2006 to 2008
Realistic Motion and Load Input Data for Lumbar Disc Arthroplasty for the Study of Biomechanics and Wear of Artificial Discs, Co-Principal Investigator, Medtronic Sofamor Danek

Service to a Professional or Government Organization

2015 to Present
Traffic Injury Prevention, Reviewer

2013 to 2014, 2018, 2019
Orthopaedic Research Society, Reviewer

2013 to Present
Journal of Forensic Biomechanics, Reviewer

2013 to Present
International Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Reviewer

2008 to Present
Journal of Biomechanical Engineering, Reviewer

2006
Congressional Directed Medical Research Program, Peer Reviewed Military Panel (Trauma), Reviewer

2006 to 2007
Experimental Mechanics, Reviewer

2006
Judge, Ph.D. Paper Competition, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Bioengineering Summer Conference, Amelia Island, FL

2005
Session Co-Chair, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Bioengineering Summer Conference, Vail, CO

2004
Session Co-Chair, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, IMECE Anaheim, CA

2003
Session Co-Chair, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Bioengineering Summer Conference, Key Biscayne, FL

2000
Local Organizing Committee, American Society of Biomechanics

Invited Lectures

2018

• “Forensic Biomechanics and Accident Reconstruction of Motor Vehicle Collisions” Advanced Topics in Trauma Care Conference, Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, Penn Medicine and Lancaster General Hospital, December 2018
• “Introduction to Biomaterials," Materials Engineering (ENGR254) School of Science, Engineering and Health, Messiah College, December 2018
• “What Does Your CV/Resume Say About You? An Industry Perspective” Professional Advancement Session organized by the ORS New Investigator Mentoring Committee and the ORS Women’s Leadership Forum, 2018 Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society, March 2018

2017

• “Introduction to Biomaterials, Materials Engineering (ENGR254) School of Science, Engineering and Health, Messiah College, October 2017

2016

• “Biomaterials Laboratory,” Materials Engineering (ENGR254) School of Science, Engineering, and Health, Messiah College, February 2016

2015

• “Introduction to Biomaterials,” Materials Engineering (ENGR254) School of Science, Engineering, and Health, Messiah College, October 2015

2007

• “A Multi-Dimensional, Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Biomaterials Science, Getting To Phase I: Preclinical Trials,” Society for Biomaterials 2007 Annual Meeting and Exposition, April 2007

2006

• “Finite Element Modeling of the Lumbar Spine: A Poroelastic Model Based on Mechanical and Biochemical Parameters” Japanese Orthopaedic Association, Visiting Fellows, March 2006
• “Application of Finite Element Analysis to Spine Biomechanics” Spine Biomechanics (BioE 515), Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, March 2006

2005

• “Introduction to Experimental Methods Used in Biomechanics Testing Laboratory” Spine Biomechanics (BioE 515), Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, November 2005
• “Introduction to Finite Element Analysis” Spine Biomechanics (BioE 515), Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, October 2005
• “Recent Advancements in Spine Biomechanics Research” Antioch Rotary Club, Antioch, Illinois, May 2005

2003

• “Biomechanical Behavior of the Intervertebral Disc: A Numerical Model Using Mechanically and Biologically Driven Parameters” Midwest Connective Tissue Workshop, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, November 2003

2002

• “Numerical Investigation of Biomechanical Response of a Lumbar Motion Segment Under Repetitive Loading Conditions” Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois April 2002
• “Biomechanical Response of a Lumbar Motion Segment Under Repetitive Loading Conditions: A Finite Element Study” Biomechanics Lab, Legacy Clinical Research and Technology Center, Portland, Oregon March 2002

2001

• “Dynamic Response of a Lumbar Motions Segment to Cyclic Loading”, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois April 2001

Honors

• 2002: University of Illinois at Chicago: 2nd Place Sigma Xi Graduate Research Forum
• 2001: University of Illinois at Chicago Student Travel Award
• 2000: Who’s Who among America’s College and Universities
• 1999: Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center: Thomas Andriacchi Endowment Scholarship Recipient
• 1999: University of Iowa: College of Engineering Outstanding Graduating Senior Award
• 1995 to 1999: Clara Abbott Foundation Educational Scholarship, Abbott Laboratories

Teaching

• 2018: Engineering Dynamics (ENGR 232), Department of Engineering, Messiah College School of Science, Engineering and Health
• 2017: Medical Product Design (ENGR 410), Department of Engineering, Messiah College School of Science, Engineering and Health
• 2017: Engineering Dynamics (ENGR 232), Department of Engineering, Messiah College School of Science, Engineering and Health
• 2017 to Present: Integrated Project Course (ENGR 489), Department of Engineering, Messiah College School of Science, Engineering and Health
• 2016: Mechanics of Materials (ENGR 333), Department of Engineering, Messiah College School of Science, Engineering and Health
• 2015: Biomedical Engineering Design (ENGR 410), Department of Engineering, Messiah College School of Science, Engineering and Health
• 2014: Mechanics of Materials (ENGR 333), Department of Engineering, Messiah College School of Science, Engineering and Health
• 2006: Soft Tissue Biomechanics (BioE 494), Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago
  • Developed course for undergraduate and graduate bioengineering students

Research and Thesis Advising

• 2019 to present: Messiah University, The Collaboratory for Strategic Partnerships and Applied Research and the School of Science, Engineering and Health, Rapid Orthotics for CURE Kenya, Project Manager
• 2017 to 2021: Messiah College, The Collaboratory for Strategic Partnerships and Applied Research and the School of Science, Engineering and Health, Cunningham Clubfoot Brace, Project Review Committee
• 2017 to 2021: Messiah College, The Collaboratory for Strategic Partnerships and Applied Research and the School of Science, Engineering and Health, Muscle Activated Prosthetic, Project Review Committee
• 2017 to 2019: Messiah College, The Collaboratory for Strategic Partnerships and Applied Research and the School of Science, Engineering and Health, Rapid Orthotics for CURE Kenya, Project Review Committee
• 2015 to 2017: Carrie O’Donel, Villanova University, Masters in Mechanical Engineering Thesis: The Effects of Rear Facing Child Restraint System Design and Installation Method on Head and Neck Injury Severity in Infants Involved in Rear End Collision
• 2016 to present: Messiah University, The Collaboratory for Strategic Partnerships and Applied Research and the School of Science, Engineering and Health, Prosthetic Knee, Project Manager
• 2015 to 2021: Messiah College, The Collaboratory for Strategic Partnerships and Applied Research and the School of Science, Engineering and Health, 3D-printed Prosthetic Hands for Kids

Media

• Interview, WOSU Radio, Ohio State Fair Fireball Fatality, July 27, 2017
• Interview, Kansas City Star, “Legal landscape could complicate disclosure of what happened at Verruckt,” Scott Canon and Steve Vockrodt, August 19, 2016
• Taped video interview, WGAL NBC, “Local researchers find some problems with rear- facing car seats,” January 18, 2016
• Taped video interview, WPMT FOX 43, “Lancaster scientists make national news with child safety seat study,” November 3, 2015
• Interview, Washington Post, “Study of rear-end crashes finds head injuries from rear-facing child seats,” Katherine Shaver, November 1, 2015

v. 02/3/23