Scott T. Lovald, Ph.D., M.B.A.

Dr. Lovald specializes in outcomes, performance optimization, and failure analysis of orthopaedic, trauma, and cardiovascular devices. With 8 years of biomechanics related experience, he has published work on the design and optimization of bone fracture internal fixation devices, blood flow through the atherosclerotic carotid artery, wall shear on abdominal aortic aneurysms, airflow through a resected nasal cavity, bioabsorbable polymer fixation devices, as well as a number of clinical outcomes studies from both disease specific and general (Medicare, Nationwide Inpatient Sample) medical databases.

Dr. Lovald’s research interests include linking clinical and experimental analysis to advanced numerical modeling (e.g., finite element analysis) as a platform for biomechanical design optimization procedures and subsequent improvement of patient outcomes associated with medical devices. He has experience with solid mechanics, stress analysis, design optimization, design for manufacturability, nonlinear finite element modeling, mechanical testing, material selection, intellectual property strategy and submissions, regulatory (FDA, CE) clearance and compliance, design control, product development, computational fluid dynamics, solid modeling, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), and analysis of clinical outcomes.

Immediately prior to working at Exponent, Dr. Lovald worked with otolaryngology surgeons to create and validate a full spectrum of parametric finite element models to analyze and optimize different classes of local skin flap advancement designs. The models are intended for use as a planning tool to determine specific, customized surgical solutions for individual patients in order to improve outcomes by minimizing scarring, necrosis, wound dehiscence, and closure force. Dr. Lovald also initiated and directed the research, seed funding, design, manufacturing, FDA 510(k) clearance, and post-market study Investigational Review Board approval of a novel mandibular fracture fixation system that has been the subject of three peer-reviewed journal publications and subsequently introduced into a Level I trauma center. Dr. Lovald has also previously worked in the area of clinical research by designing and managing post-market studies which investigated the clinical outcomes of total knee arthroplasty, total hip arthroplasty, atrial fibrillation, knee resurfacing, and degenerative disc disease patients.

Lovald S, Mercer D, Hanson J, Cowgill I, Erdman M, Robinson P, Diamond B. Hardware removal after fracture fixation procedures in the femur 2011; Epub ahead of print.

Lovald S, Mercer D, Hanson J, Cowgill I, Erdman M, Robinson P, Diamond B. Complications and hardware removal after open reduction and internal fixation of humeral fractures. Journal of Trauma 2011; 70(5):1273–1277.

Kimsal J, Baack B, Candelaria L, Khraishi T, Lovald S. Biomechanical analysis of mandibular angle fractures. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 2011; Epub ahead of print.

Hanson J, Lovald S, Cowgill I, Erdman M, Diamond B. National hardware removal rate associated with internal fixation of facial fractures. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 2011; 69(4):1152–1158.

Gaball C, Lovald S, Baack B, Olson G. Minimally invasive bioabsorbable bone plates for rigid internal fixation of mandible fractures. Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery 2011; 13(1): 31–35.
Gaball C, Lovald S, Khraishi T, Eisbach K, Baack B. Engineering Anaysis of an unreported complication of septoplasty. Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery 2010; 12(6):385–392.

Lovald S, Baack B, Gaball C, Olson G, Hoard A. Biomechanical optimization of bone plates used in rigid fixation of mandibular symphysis fractures. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 2010; 68(8):1833–1841.

Lovald S, Khraishi T, DeCoster T, Bozorgnia S. The effect of locking screw threads on the fatigue strength in intramedullary nail fixation of femur fractures. International Journal of Experimental and Computational Biomechanics 2010; 1(3):225–235..

Lovald S, Khraishi T, Wagner J, Baack B. Mechanical design optimization of bioabsorbable fixation devices for bone fractures. Journal of Craniofacial Surgery 2009; 20(2):389–398.

Lovald S, Wagner J, Baack B. Biomechanical optimization of bone plates used in rigid fixation of mandibular fractures. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 2009; 67(5):973–985.

Lovald S, Heinrich J, Khraishi T, Yonas H, Pappu S. The role of fluid dynamics in plaque excavation and rupture in the human carotid bifurcation: A computational study. International Journal of Experimental and Computational Biomechanics 2009; 1:76–95.

Boyd N, Wagner J, Lovald S, Miller T, Baack B, Khraishi T. Clinical and FEA of low-profile 3D and parallel miniplates in fixation of mandibular symphysis and parasymphysis fractures. Journal of Maxillofacial Oral Surgery 2008; 7(4):407–413.

Chaudhary N, Lovald S, Wagner J, Khraishi T, Baack B. Experimental and numerical modeling of screws used for rigid internal fixation of mandibular fractures. Modelling and Simulation in Engineering 2008; Article ID 628120:1–11.

Caraveo V, Lovald S, Khraishi T, Wagner J, Baack B. The effects of frictionless/frictional contact boundary conditions in finite element modeling of mandibular fractures. Multidiscipline Modeling in Materials and Structures 2008; 4(3):227–236.

Lovald S, Khraishi T, Wagner J, Baack B, Wood J. Effect of fracture healing on fixation of a parasymphyseal mandibular fracture: A study using the finite element method. International Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology 2007; 1:204–217.

Fox M, Hastings R, Lovald S, Heinrich J. Case study of an aerosol explosion and a method to determine explosion temperatures. Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention 2007; 7:165-174. Named Best Paper of the Year in 2007 by editorial board.

Lovald S, Khraishi T, Wagner J, Kelly J, Wood J, Baack B. Finite element analysis of screw-plate systems for fixation of parasymphyseal fractures of the mandible. Journal of Mechanics 2007; 23:69–77.

Lovald S, Khraishi T, Wagner J, Kelly J, Wood J, Baack B. Comparisonof plate-screw systems used in mandibular fracture reduction: Finite element analysis. Journal of Biomechanical Engineering 2006; 128:654–662.

Lovald S, Smith R, Wagner J. Bringing new dimensions to bone plate design: An innovative use of biomechanical simulation design methodology for the craniomaxillofacial trauma market. BONEZone 2008; 7(1):16–20.

Lovald S, Kennedy K. Gaps in clinical evidence: The case for better data. Orthopaedic Product News, November/December 2009, pp. 36–39.

Lovald S. A computational framework for solving biomechanics problems. Ph.D. Engineering Dissertation, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, 2008.

Lovald S. Design of mandibular implant fixation devices using the finite element method. M.Eng. Thesis, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, 2006.

Published Abstracts and Presentations

Lovald S, Lau E, Ong K, Kurtz S, Schmier J, Parvizi J, Bozic K. Cost and disease outcomes of total knee arthroplasty patients in the Medicare population. Accepted for presentation at the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, San Francisco, CA, February 7-11, 2012.

Lovald S, Malkani A, Lau E, Ong K, Kurtz S, Schmier J, Manley M. Outpatient TKA: A cost and outcomes analysis. Accepted for presentation at the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, San Francisco, CA, February 7-11, 2012.

Topp S, Gaball C, Lovald S, Khraishi T. Analysis and optimization of the rhombic flap wound closure. Presented at the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, September 11-14, 2011.

Cowgill I, Child Z, Lovald S, Hanson J, Erdman M, Robinson P, Diamond B. Quality of life among lumbar fusion and joint arthoplasty patients in the elderly population. Presentation at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, February 15–18, 2011.

Lovald S, Hanson J, Cowgill I, Erdman M, Diamond B. The ability of preoperative functional scores to predict quality of life after knee arthroplasty. Presentation at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA, March 9–13, 2010.

Lovald S, Khraishi T, Heinrich J, Yonas H, Taylor C. Investigating the role of fluid dynamics and wall mechanics in atherosclerosis, plaque rupture and plaque excavation in the human carotid bifurcation. Proceedings, American Society for Engineering Education 2008 Gulf-Southwest Annual Conference, Albuquerque, NM, March 26–28, 2008, Paper #12-19.

Lovald S, Khraishi T, Wagner J, Baack B. Post-surgical finite element analysis of mandibular fracture fixation. Proceedings, the American Society for Engineering Education 2008 Gulf-Southwest Annual Conference, Albuquerque, NM, March 26–28, 2008, Paper #12-20.

Lovald S, Khraishi T, Heinrich J, Yonas H, Taylor C. Three dimensional numerical analysis of flow through the human carotid bifurcation with varying degrees of stenotic plaque formation. Proceedings, 2007 ASME Summer Bioengineering Conference, Keystone, CO, June 20–24, 2007, Paper# SBC2007-176444, pp. 379-380.

Caraveo V, Lovald S, Khraishi T, Wagner J, Baack B. The effects of varying frictional contact boundary conditions in finite element analysis of mandibular parasymphyseal fracture. Proceedings, 2007 ASME Summer Bioengineering Conference, Keystone, CO, June 20–24, 2007, Paper# SBC2007-175320, pp. 307-308.

Reed L, Lovald S, Khraishi T. The effect of branch arteries on the wall stresses of a 3D Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Model. Proceedings, ASME Summer Bioengineering Conference, Amelia Island, FL, June 21–25, 2006, Paper# BIO2006-151515.

Lovald S, Wagner J, Khraishi T, Kelly J, Wood J, Baack B. Comparison of plating configurations for fixation of a parasymphyseal mandible fracture using the finite element method. Proceedings, ASME Summer Bioengineering Conference, Amelia Island, FL, June 21–25, 2006, Paper# BIO2006-156989.

Lovald S, Wagner J, Khraishi T, Kelly J, Wood J, Baack B. Finite element analysis of fixation plates for mandibular fracture reduction. Proceedings, the ASME Summer Bioengineering Conference, Bioengineering Division, Vail, CO, June 22-26, 2005, pp. 1406-1407.

Chaudhary N, Lovald S, Wagner J, Khraishi T, Kelly J, Wood J. Modeling of screw-plate systems for mandibular fracture repair. Proceedings, ASME IMECE2004 Conference, Bioengineering Division, paper# 62256, Anaheim, CA, November 13–19, 2004, pp. 345-346.

Bryan M, Wagner J, Lovald S, Khraishi T, Chaudhary N, Kelly J, Baack B, Wood J. Finite element analysis of fixation plates for mandibular fracture stabilization. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 2005; 116(3):157.

• Clinical Project Manager II, PhDx Systems
• Product Development Engineer, Satyrne Medical, 2006–2010
• Research Assistantship – Intramedullary Femoral Nail Failure, University of New Mexico, 2008
• Research Assistantship – Stenotic Carotid Blood Flow, University of New Mexico, 2006–2008
• Mechanical Engineering Intern, Stryker Leibinger Micro Implants, Summer 2005
• Research Fellowship – Craniofacial Trauma Fixation, University of New Mexico, 2003–2006
• Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering Independent Consultant, 2003–2010

• American Society of Mechanical Engineers