Research Interests

I combine experimental and computational biomechanics techniques with machine learning to improve human mobility. I am especially interested in video-based human movement analysis. I co-developed OpenCap, a cloud-based platform that measures the kinematics and kinetics of movement using two smartphones (learn more at opencap.ai). Tools like OpenCap will allow us to measure movement at orders of magnitude larger scale and lower cost than the motion capture laboratory. I also develop non-surgical interventions for knee osteoarthritis, like gait modifications. I use musculoskeletal simulations to design these interventions, real-time biofeedback to deliver them to individuals with osteoarthritis, and quantitative MRI to evaluate the effects on tissue microstructure.

Degrees

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Baylor University, 2014
M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, 2016
Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, 2020

Honors and Awards

OpenSim Fellow, 2022
Clinical Biomechanics Award Finalist (ISB, Stockholm), 2021
3 Minute Thesis Competition Finalist (ASB, Atlanta), 2020
David Winter Young Investigator Award Finalist (ISB, Calgary), 2019
Clinical Biomechanics Award Finalist (ISB, Calgary), 2019
Young Investigator Award (OARSI World Congress, Toronto), 2019
De Luca Student Travel Award (WCB, Dublin), 2018
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, 2015
Stanford Graduate Fellowship, 2014

Selected Publications

Uhlrich, S.D.*, Uchida, T.K.*, Lee, M.R., Delp, S.L. Ten steps to becoming a musculoskeletal simulation expert: A helf-century of progress and outlook for the future. Journal of Biomechanics, 154, 2023. *contributed equally. Download PDF

Uhlrich S.D.*, Falisse A.*, Kidzinski L.*, Muccini J., Ko M., Chaudhari A.S., Hicks J.L., Delp S.L., 2022. OpenCap: 3D human movement dynamics from smartphone videos. bioRxiv. *contributed equally. Download PDF, Video Abstract

Uhlrich S.D., Jackson R.W., Seth A., Kolesar J.A., Delp S.L., 2022. Muscle coordination retraining inspired by musculoskeletal simulations reduces knee contact force. Scientific Reports, 12(3):9842. Download PDF, News Story and Video

Uhlrich S.D., Kolesar J.A., Kidziński L., Boswell M.A., Silder A., Gold G.E., Delp S.L., Beaupre G.S., 2022. Personalization improves the biomechanical efficacy of foot progression angle modifications in individuals with medial knee osteoarthritis. Journal of Biomechanics, 144:111312. Download PDF

Boswell M.A.*, Uhlrich S.D.*, Kidziński L., Thomas K., Kolesar J.A., Gold G.E., Beaupre G.S., Delp S.L., 2021. A neural network to predict the knee adduction moment in patients with osteoarthritis using anatomical landmarks obtainable from 2D video analysis. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 29(3):346-356. *contributed equally. Download PDF

Simpson C.S., Welker C.G., Uhlrich S.D., Sketch S.M., Jackson R.W., Delp S.L., Collins S.H., Selinger J.C., Hawkes E.W., 2019. Connecting the legs with a spring improves human running economy. Journal of Experimental Biology 222. Download PDF

Haddock B., Fan A.P., Uhlrich S.D., Jorgensen N., Suetta C., Gold G.E., Kogan  F., 2019. Assessment of acute bone loading in humans using [18F]NaF PET/MRI. European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 46(12):2452-2463. Download PDF

Uhlrich S.D., Silder A., Beaupré G.S. Shull, P.B. Delp, S.L., 2018. Subject-specific toe-in or toe-out gait modifications reduce the larger knee adduction moment peak more than a non-personalized approach. Journal of Biomechanics 66:p103-110. Download PDF

Link to Google Scholar

Teaching Resources

In partnership with members of NMBL and inspired by the Scientist Spotlight Initiative, I have compiled a set of Scientist Spotlight slides that highlight the fantastic work and professional journeys of a diverse set of biomechanists. These slides align with course content of  ME/BIOE281 Biomechanics of Human Movement, and they aim to provide counterstereotypical examples of successful scientists that will help all students see themselves as future successful biomechanists. Melissa Boswell and I also created a Careers in Biomechanics lecture to introduce students to possible career paths in biomechanics and a diverse set of biomechanists who are succeeding in these careers. These materials are free to use. Please contact me with suggestions or if you would like to contribute to these resources.