Laksari Lab

Biomechanics for improving human health

Our lab is located in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at University of California Riverside. We focus on applying engineering methods to problems in biomechanics with the goal of improving human health. In particular we aim to understand the underlying mechanisms of traumatic brain injury in order to better prevent and diagnose. We also research on the cerebral hemodynamics and the effect it can have on neurodegenerative diseases and stroke. We use an array of computational and experimental approaches including finite element modeling, wearable sensors, medical imaging (such as MRI, CT, ultrasound), and machine learning.

Stroke and
cerebrovascular diseases

We aim to understand the effects of stroke on cerebral hemodynamics and to predict tissue viability in Stroke patients. By employing medical imaging, patient-specific modeling, and smart biomedical devices, we provide critical information on stroke severity and tissue viability. We then use novel machine learning techniques to provide predictive metrics for clinical outcomes.

Concussions:
biomechanics,
wearable sensors, and
protective equipment

We aim to understand the underlying mechanisms of brain trauma and concusions for better diagnostic and preventative technologies and faster recoveries, using a combination of wearable sensors, computational modeling, and multi-faceted neuroimaging.

Discovering the hidden viscoelasticity of soft tissues

Elasticity imaging is a technique that discovers the spatial distribution of mechanical properties of tis- sue using deformation and force measurements under various loading conditions. We employ physics-informed deep machine learning to discover the hidden space-dependent distribution of mechanical properties of soft tissues.

Wearable devices and machine learning for frailty and health assessment

Using a combination of unsupervised daily physical activity performance measurement and machine learning techniques, we aim to detect deficits in motor functions that are associated with frailty.