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Steven M. Kurtz, Ph.D.

Corporate Vice President & Office Director

Biomechanics

Professional Profile


Dr. Kurtz concurrently serves as a part-time Research Professor and director of the Implant Research Center at Drexel University’s School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems. Dr. Kurtz’ professional career has involved the evaluation of medical device technologies, from a combined analytical, experimental, and clinical perspective. His research activities have emphasized real-world clinical performance of medical devices, including orthopedic, and spine implants, as assessed by human implant retrieval specimens and national health care databases; mechanical behavior of synthetic biomaterials; contact mechanics of artificial joints; and structural evaluation of bone-implant systems. Dr. Kurtz is active in many professional societies, including the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the Spine Arthroplasty Society, and the American Society for Testing and Materials. Dr. Kurtz has authored over 70 articles in peer-reviewed journals and over 210 conference abstracts. He has written a monograph on ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, and is the founding editor of two educational websites: the UHMWPE Lexicon (www.uhmwpe.org) and the Medical PEEK Lexicon (www.medicalpeek.org). He has recently completed the Spine Technology Handbook.

  • Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Cornell University, 1995
  • M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Cornell University, 1992
  • B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Cornell University (with distinction), 1990
  • John W. Hyatt Award (Benefit to Society), for Outstanding Achievement in Plastics that Benefit Mankind, Awarded by the Society of Plastics Engineers, 2008
  • Leroy Wyman Award, for Outstanding Contributions to Committee F-04 on Medical & Surgical Materials & Devices, American Society for Testing and Materials, May 2008
  • Otto Aufranc Hip Society Award, for the Best Paper Encompassing Important Advances in the Management of Hip Disorders, 2006
  • The Spine Education in Research Award, for the Best Basic Science Paper, Awarded by the Spine Arthroplasty Society, 2006
  • Fulbright Senior Specialist, Fulbright Scholar Program, Council for International Exchange of Scholars, 2006
  • MOSES Award, Committee F-04 on Medical & Surgical Materials & Devices, American Society for Testing and Materials, May 2000

    • Research Professor, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems, Drexel University

    • Patent 6,267,011: Method and Apparatus for Determining the True Stress and True Strain Behavior of a Ductile Polymer,” Issued July 31, 2001 (with C.W. Jewett and J.R. Foulds).