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Mark Palmer, M.D., Ph.D.

Assistant Research Scientist, Movement Science

• Areas of Interest
• Educational Background
• Teaching
• Honors and Awards
• Research Experience
• Professional Service and Experience
• Selected Publications
• Selected Projects/Grants

3745B CCRB
401 Washtenaw Ave.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2214
Phone: (734) 647-7645
Fax: (734) 936-1925
mlpalmer@umich.edu

Office Hours (Spring Summer 2008):
Please contact for an appointment

Full vita>>

Laboratory:

• Musculoskeletal Tissue Emulation Laboratory (MTEL)

Areas of Interest

Short Description: Adaptation, computational modeling, mechanisms of injury, musculoskeletal health and performance.

Dr. Palmer is a biomechanist whose research interests focus on the transfer of forces in musculoskeletal tissues.  He utilizes a combination of physiological measurements coupled with computational modeling techniques, image-based modeling, cadaveric modeling, histology and electron microscopy to gain insights into the mechanisms of injury and adaptation across multiple levels of the structural hierarchy of musculoskeletal tissues.  Currently his research focuses on developing a multilevel computational model of human skeletal muscle to elucidate the genesis and propagation of injury.  He is also particularly interested in how changes in the mechanical environment of skeletal muscle tissue secondary to training, aging, genetic alteration, and disease affect functionality and susceptibility to injury. The goal of his research is to provide an integrative framework for coupling computational and experimental techniques for the purpose of developing effective interventions to improve musculoskeletal health and performance.

Educational Background

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Medical Scientist Training Program, 1991-2004:

M.D. (Research Distinction)
Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering (Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honors Society)
Thesis: A Non-Linear Hierarchical Model of Stretch-Induced Injury to Skeletal Muscle Fibers, focusing on the use of computational modeling to show the initiation and spread of injury in muscle cells.
M.S.E., Mechanical Engineering
M.S., Bioengineering

Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
B.S., Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, 1991
Senior Thesis: 1991 Northeast Regional Society of Automotive Engineering Mini-Baja Competition for the design and construction of an amphibious vehicle around a standard, unmodified engine.


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Teaching

MOVESCI 330. Biomechanics of Human Movement

MOVESCI 439 / KINESLGY 439. Lab Rotation in Biomechanics

* Movement Science courses are for undergraduate credit; Kinesiology courses are for graduate credit.

Honors and Awards

Research Experience

Research Fellow, Muscle Mechanics Laboratory
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (2004-2007)

• Initiated theoretical analysis and designed experiments for evaluating hypotheses in skeletal muscle function.
• Developed collaborative relationships between the Muscle Physiology Department and the Mechanical Engineering Department.
• Performed tactical analysis of data from other research projects.
• Collaborated in the formulation of applications for funding.
• Participated in mentoring doctoral candidates through the process of formulating a dissertation topic to the thesis defense.

Research Assistant - Radiation Oncology Department
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (Sep. 2002)

• Analyzed and extended functionality of software for combining computed tomography (CT scan), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and warped image sets towards analysis of dose delivery based on motion of organs due to breathing to optimize delivery of radiation to a tumor.

Doctoral Candidate, Mechanical Engineering and Medical Student
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (1996-2001)

• Ph.D. Thesis: A Non-Linear Hierarchical Model of Stretch-Induced Injury to Skeletal Muscle Fibers focusing on the use of computational modeling to show the initiation and spread of injury in muscle cells.
• Established computational mechanics and modeling of skeletal muscle in the Muscle Mechanics Laboratory.
• Conducted independent research investigating the mechanism of injury in skeletal muscle.
• Developed theoretical modeling techniques and algorithms for skeletal muscle research.

Research Assistant - Orthopaedic Reseach Laboratory
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (1991-1996)

• Performed image processing of CT scans for a project investigating the effects of osteoporosis, mentor: Steven A. Goldstein, Ph.D.
• Initiated and conducted computational modeling to investigate optimal bone architecture, mentor: Scott J. Hollister, Ph.D.
• Constructed instrumentation and developed analysis algorithms for studies on shoulder mechanics, mentor: Louis J. Soslowsky, Ph.D.
• Performed computational modeling to investigate the interface between bone, cement, and an artificial joint, mentor: Scott J. Hollister, Ph.D.

Professional Service and Experience

President/Chief Technical Officer — Reveal Technologies Group
Grand Rapids, MI (2007—present).

• Conceived and implemented a novel technology for applying computational modeling techniques to advanced materials and biological systems
• Managed overall development of technology platform
• Successfully implemented fund raising strategy
• Orchestrated the intellectual property protection plan

Research Lead — Patmos FEA Consulting
Grand Rapids, MI (2004—2006)

• Conceived development of novel technology platform
• Managed projects focused on advancing technology platform
• Performed sales and marketing presentations
• Coordinated relationship between Company and Business Incubators

Board Member — Western Michigan Science and Technology Initiative
Grand Rapids, MI (2005—present).

WMSTI is a business accelerator and incubator dedicated to leveraging resources to help science and technology entrepreneurs commercialize their discoveries.

Representative — National Minority Research Symposium
Miami, FL (1996)

Represented the University of Michigan Medical School Graduate Programs by providing information and applications for Minority Access to Research Careers Fellows (MARC) and Minority Biomedical Research Support scholars (MBRS) at the National Minority Research Symposium held in Miami, FL.

Medical Intern — Summer Medical Institute
Philadelphia, PA (1996)

A student-operated project sponsored by Medical Campus Outreach, Esperanza Health Clinic, and the City of Philadelphia to provide immunizations in the most medically under served communities in northern Philadelphia.

Selected Publications

Conference Publications & Presentations (Refereed)

M L Palmer, S J Hollister, R G Dennis, J A Faulkner, A Hierarchical Model of a Quiescent and Maximally Activated Fiber During Stretch, Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Mechanics in Medicine and Biology (2000), p. 7.

M L Palmer, J A Faulkner, R G Dennis, S J Hollister, A Computational Model for Stretch-Induced Injury in Skeletal Muscle, 18th Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics Book of Abstracts (2001), p. 24.

M L Palmer, J A Faulkner, R G Dennis, S J Hollister, The Etiology Of Injury In Skeletal Muscle Fibers: Large Deformation Of A Non-Linear Composite With An Active Stress Component , Proceedings of the 6th United States National Congress on Computational Mechanics (2001), p. 510.

M L Palmer, J A Faulkner, R G Dennis, S J Hollister, A Non-Linear Hierarchical Model for Contraction-Induced Injury in Skeletal Muscle, Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium on Computational Methods in Biomechanics and Bioengineering (2001).

M L Palmer, J A Faulkner, R G Dennis, S J Hollister, A Multi-Level Structural Model for the Stretch of Maximally Activated Single Permeabilized Fibers: Role of Desmin, Biophysical Journal 46th Annual Meeting (2002).

M L Palmer, S J Hollister, R G Dennis, J A Faulkner, A Non-Linear Analytical Model for the Role of Desmin in Skeletal Muscle Fibers, Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Mechanics in Medicine and Biology (2002).

A Panchangam, D R Claflin, M L Palmer, J A Faulkner, Sarcomere Length Non-Uniformity During Active Stretches of Human Permeabilized Fibers, Biophysical Journal 90:158a, 2006.

A Panchangam, D R Claflin, M L Palmer, J A Faulkner, Injury-Inducing Stretches of Activated Skeletal Muscle Fibers Increase Passive Sarcomere Length Heterogeneity, Biophysical Journal [in press].

Peer Reviewed Publications

R B Blasier, L J Soslowsky, D M Malicky, and M L Palmer, Posterior Glenohumeral Subluxation: Active and Passive Stabilization in a Biomechanical Model, Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American Volume), 79-A:433-440, March 1997.

Accepted Publications

A Panchangam, D R Claflin, M L Palmer, J A Faulkner, Magnitude of sarcomere extension correlates with initial sarcomere length during lengthening of activated single fibers from soleus muscle of rats Biophysical Journal, (submitted 24 July 2007).

Selected Projects/Grants

NIH-SBIR. Analysis Tool For Age Related Changes in Muscle, (PI). Total Budget $100,000. Score: 168. Funded 6/2007

21st Century Job Fund Grant Application. Improving Muscle Function in the Elderly: Multi-Scale Analyses of Hierarchical Adaptive Mechanisms, (Co-I). Total Budget $1,000,000. (1 of 17 Finalists in Life Sciences — Not Funded).

Grants — Involved in Preparation

NIH Program Project Grant. Lengthening Contraction Training in Older Adults, J. Ashton-Miller (PD), N. Alexander (Co-I), J. Faulkner (Co-I), Total Direct Costs $6,066,546. Involved in preparation of Core C — Multi-Scale Biomechanical Modeling. (Core C received Score of 173 — Grant Not Funded).