John McPhee

John McPhee is a Professor in the Department of Systems Design Engineering at the University of Waterloo, with a cross-appointment in other academic groups. His research focuses on biomechanical systems, robotics, control systems, and musculoskeletal modeling with applications in wearable devices, surgical simulation, and sports biomechanics. He leads the Motion Research Group, developing advanced technologies for exoskeletons, prostheses, and human motion analysis.

Key research themes include optimizing implant positioning for joint replacements, energy-efficient exoskeleton design, and predictive multibody dynamics modeling. His work integrates machine learning with physics-based simulations for applications in healthcare, transportation, and sports engineering.

Recent studies emphasize environment-aware control systems for wearable robots and data-driven approaches for muscle-torque estimation using sEMG signals. McPhee collaborates on interdisciplinary projects involving robotics, biomechanics, and computational modeling.

His research outputs highlight advancements in exoskeleton safety standards, automated anatomical landmark detection, and optimal control strategies for autonomous systems. The work demonstrates a strong focus on real-world applications in rehabilitation, surgical planning, and performance enhancement.