Academic Credentials
  • Ph.D., Bioengineering, University of Notre Dame, 2019
  • M.S., Bioengineering, University of Notre Dame, 2018
  • B.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Virginia, 2014
Licenses & Certifications
  • Professional Engineer, Michigan, #6201312091
  • Certified Forklift Operator (CFO)
  • SOLIDWORKS Certificate in Mechanical Design
Professional Honors
  • Pre-Doctoral Fellow in Translational Research, Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute
  • Pi Tau Sigma
Professional Affiliations
  • American Society of Biomechanics, Student Member, 2015-2019

Dr. O'Brien's areas of expertise include injury biomechanics, human motor control, neurorehabilitation, kinematics and kinetics of human motion, and simulations of musculoskeletal models. His research and testing experience includes cadaveric experimental assessment of lower extremity injury mechanics and collection and analysis of data from anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs) in rollover environments. 

Dr. O'Brien's research has focused on assessing rehabilitation of individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury and stroke. Dr. O'Brien has experience using both marker and marker-less motion capture systems, force plates and transducers, and electromyography (EMG) sensors. He also is experienced in using computational models and simulations to measure and assess human motion.

Prior to joining Exponent, Dr. O'Brien was a Graduate Research Assistant in the Locomotion and Biomechanics Laboratory at the University of Notre Dame, where he researched motor control strategies of individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury and balance control for individuals following a stroke. He also worked as an Undergraduate Research Assistant at the University of Virginia Center for Applied Biomechanics where he assisted on rollover crash test experiments and evaluations and testing of ankle injury mechanics.