Alan W. Eberhardt

Alan W. Eberhardt is a Professor and Associate Chair of Education in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). He has been affiliated with UAB since 1991, initially in Mechanical Engineering before joining Biomedical Engineering in 1999. His research focuses on orthopedic biomechanics, injury mechanics, and assistive technology design, with a strong emphasis on medical device commercialization. He directs the Master of Engineering program in Design and Commercialization and leads the Experimental Biomechanics Core (EBC) Lab.

Education: B.S. and M.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Delaware; Ph.D. in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics from Northwestern University. His lab, part of the School of Engineering, specializes in mechanical testing of biological materials and collaborates on musculoskeletal mechanics research. The EBC Lab also supports undergraduate Capstone Design projects.

Research activities include experimental testing and computational modeling to improve orthopedic patient care and automotive occupant safety. He trains students across undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels. Current advisees include graduate students Patrick Estep, John Hoyle, Ryan Doud, and undergraduates Ashley Boggs and Joseph Moore.

The lab facilities span 1,800 sq ft with advanced equipment for biomechanical testing and materials analysis. Dr. Eberhardt’s work bridges engineering and clinical applications, aiming to translate research into practical solutions for rehabilitation and injury prevention.