Ron Zernicke, PhD

Dr. Ron Zernicke is professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kinesiology, and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan. He served as dean of the U-M School of Kinesiology and is currently director of the U-M Exercise & Sport Science Initiative (essi.umich.edu).

After matriculating at Concordia University Chicago (BA) and University of Wisconsin–Madison (MS/PhD), he was a professor at UCLA and University of Calgary. His awards include: UCLA Award for Distinguished Teaching, City of Calgary Community Achievement Award (Education), UCalgary Award for Outstanding Achievement in Graduate Supervision, and Alumnus of the Year (Concordia University Chicago). He received an honorary DSc from the University of Waterloo.

He served as president of the Canadian (CSB), American (ASB), and International (ISB) Societies of Biomechanics, and the National Academy of Kinesiology. He has received research awards from: NASA, ASB, ISB, CSB, and Canadian Orthopaedic Research Society (CORS). He is an elected Fellow of ISB, CSB, ASB, American College of Sports Medicine, and National Academy of Kinesiology, and an Honorary Member of CORS. 

His career research support (>$50 million) includes: Arthritis Society of Canada, Adidas, NBA/NBPA, Detroit Tigers, Canadian Space Agency, NSERC, CFI, CIHR, NASA, NSF, and NIH, with his focus: (1) bone adaptation to exercise and diet, (2) human movement dynamics and performance, and (3) joint injury and osteoarthritis.