Denis DiAngelo

Denis DiAngelo is a Professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Biomedical Engineering at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) and holds adjunct roles in Biomedical Engineering and the College of Health Studies at the University of Memphis. He is also President and Founding Member of EMBrace Design, LLC, and previously served as Chief Scientific Officer at Cagenix, Inc. (2005-2010).

Education:

• PhD, Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University (May 1993)
• MEng, Mechanical Engineering, McMaster University (June 1986)
• BSc, Mechanical Engineering, University of Waterloo (May 1983)

Research focuses on advanced robotic testing platforms (e.g., the patented Spine Robot) to evaluate spinal implants, joint arthroplasty, and skeletal fixation hardware. Collaborations span spine biomechanics with neurosurgeons at UTHSC and surgeons globally, as well as shoulder, wrist, and foot/ankle studies with Campbell Clinic orthopaedists. Recent work includes clinical trials of novel bracing technologies with Drs. M Paquette and D. Powell at the University of Memphis Human Performance Laboratory. His robotic systems enable precise motion/force control to study joint instabilities under physiologic conditions.

Awards:

• UTHSC Distinguished Professor (2013–present)
• Distinguished Teaching Professor (2002–2005)
• 2006 BEST POSTER AWARD for spinal prosthetic research
• 1998 J. William Fielding Award for cervical spine research

Advising & Grants: Led 90+ graduate student committees (57 as Chair), trained 2 visiting scholars, 14 neurosurgery fellows, 3 orthopaedic residents, 3 post-docs, and 32 undergraduates. Principal Investigator for 125 industry-sponsored studies ($4.5M+ expenditures) and grants from Whitaker Foundation, Bioworks, StartCo, and UTHSC Research Foundation (~$400K).

Labs & Teams: Director of the Orthopaedic Robotics Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Laboratory. Collaborates with UTHSC Neurosurgery Department, international spine surgeons, and the University of Memphis Human Performance Lab.