Clare Rimnac

Clare Rimnac is a Distinguished Professor Emerita of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Case Western Reserve University, affiliated with the Case School of Engineering. Her career spans over four decades, with foundational contributions to biomaterials, orthopaedic biomechanics, and implant performance evaluation.

She holds a B.S. in Metallurgy and Materials Science from Carnegie Mellon University (1978), and M.S. and Ph.D. in Metallurgy and Materials Engineering from Lehigh University (1980 and 1983). Prior to joining Case Western Reserve in 1996, she was a Scientist at The Hospital for Special Surgery’s Department of Biomechanics, affiliated with Cornell Weill College of Medicine.

Rimnac’s research focuses on the mechanical behavior of biomaterials (polymers, metals, ceramics), implant degradation, and bone-tissue interactions. Key contributions include advancements in polyethylene durability for joint replacements and understanding fatigue mechanisms in bone allografts. Her interdisciplinary work bridges materials science, biomechanics, and clinical orthopaedics.

Her 150+ peer-reviewed articles and book chapters emphasize oxidative degradation of biomaterials, fracture resistance of bone, and long-term implant performance. Recent studies address radiation sterilization effects on bone fatigue life and wear mechanisms in hip/knee arthroplasties.

• Awards: Kappa Delta Award (highest orthopaedic research honor), ORS/OREF Distinguished Investigator Award, J.R. Neff Research Award, and ORS Fellowships.
• Leadership: President of the Orthopaedic Research Society, Deputy Editor of the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, and Senior Associate Editor of Clinical Orthopaedics.
• Labs: Director of the Center for the Evaluation of Implant Performance at CWRU, collaborating with University Hospitals Case Medical Center’s Center for Joint Replacement and Restoration.