Benjamin Wheatley is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Bucknell University, where he leads the Mechanics and Modeling of Orthopaedic Tissues Laboratory (MMOT Lab) . His research integrates experimental and computational biomechanics to understand soft-tissue and musculoskeletal mechanics, with applications spanning orthopaedics, rehabilitation engineering, and bio-inspired design. Education B.S. in Engineering, Trinity College, 2011 Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University, 2017 Research Interests Wheatley’s work centers on finite-element modeling and experimental characterization of biological soft tissues, particularly skeletal muscle, tendon, and bone. He investigates structure–function relationships in orthopaedic tissues, neuromuscular biomechanics, and bio-inspired protective structures such as bighorn sheep horns. Applications include improving prosthetic gait, understanding knee-joint loading, and designing impact-mitigating materials. Publication Trends Across more than 30 peer-reviewed articles since 2015, Wheatley’s scholarship exhibits two dominant trajectories: (1) high-fidelity computational modeling of skeletal muscle and orthopaedic tissues under multiaxial loading, and (2) experimental biomechanics studies combining motion capture, EMG, imaging, and mechanical testing. Recent work increasingly couples optimal-control theory with gait simulations to predict clinical outcomes for individuals with limb loss. Scientific Awards & Honors (none explicitly listed in provided text) Advising & Funding Wheatley actively mentors undergraduate and graduate researchers in the MMOT Lab; interested students are invited to attend weekly lab meetings after contacting him via email. Grant and funding details are not provided in the supplied text. Laboratory & Team He directs the Mechanics and Modeling of Orthopaedic Tissues Laboratory located in Academic East 302, Bucknell University. The lab emphasizes student-led collaborative research that bridges mechanical engineering, orthopaedics, and biology.

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