Anthony Petrella

Anthony Petrella is an Associate Professor and Department Head of Mechanical Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines. He serves as Director of the FEA Professional Certificate Program and leads the Computational Biomechanics Group. His academic career at Mines began in 2006 following a six-year industry role managing computational biomechanics research at Johnson & Johnson's DePuy Orthopaedics.

Dr. Petrella's research spans computational and experimental biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system, with primary focus on orthopaedic applications. His group employs advanced nonlinear finite element methods, subject-specific anatomy modeling, and statistical techniques to investigate spine, hip, knee, and ankle mechanics. Recent work integrates machine learning for injury prediction and expands into additive manufacturing for biomedical applications.

Analysis of Dr. Petrella's recent publications (2015-2024) reveals a dominant emphasis on spine biomechanics through automated finite element modeling and statistical shape analysis, with growing focus on ankle mechanics and machine learning applications. The research demonstrates consistent evolution from joint replacement studies toward comprehensive musculoskeletal system modeling and clinical outcome improvement.

As director of the Computational Biomechanics Group, Dr. Petrella oversees researchers and graduate students in developing computational models of spinal function across healthy, degenerated, and surgically reconstructed states. His FEA Professional Certificate Program provides industry professionals with advanced structural and thermal analysis skills, reflecting his dual commitment to research innovation and engineering education.