Dr. Gielo-Perczak crosses the boundaries of many scientific approaches and areas. Her research interests are modelling and simulation of neuro-ecological control of human environments. She proposes inclusion of affordance-, emotion-, and intuition- based models of human performance, namely: learning, adaptive and tuning control, respectively. Her new proposed framework is not a predictive model of the operator behavior, but rather it describes the processes of neuro-ecological control of the human environment. Dr. Gielo-Perczak combines the above aspect with the biomechanical modeling and simulation of the musculoskeletal system, shoulder complex, control theory and the systems approach seen in the context of preventing musculoskeletal injuries and improving through combining these approaches, into a universal device design. She is interested in exoskeletons design, medical devices and interaction of human-robot.

My teaching philosophy for 25 years centers on building a strong foundation in theoretical background, providing hands-on laboratory experiments and training, and engineering practice. This approach assists me in developing a unified framework for teaching, engaging, advising, and mentoring students. I applied this principle in developing all of the undergraduate and graduate courses which I have taught at various universities.

I have been an instructor at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, University of Oregon, University of Toronto, Victoria University of Technology (Australia), Politecnico di Torino (Italy) and Warsaw University of Technology. I have taught and am prepared to teach: biomechanics, senior engineering design project, design of medical devices, research methods, clinical biomechanics, motor control, workplace design and ergonomics, experimental biomechanics, introduction to biomedical engineering, foundations of engineering and musculoskeletal modeling.
In these courses, students learned and interpreted biomechanics phenomena in terms of parameters, conditions, multi-disciplinary relations, problem-solving processes and practical insights. With respect to learning of musculoskeletal modeling I proposed a conceptual framework of student comprehension that views learning as a process of connectivity and mutual relationships of seeing, sensing and realizing with knowing, adaptation, and creation. The proposed student comprehension types can be actuated by different teaching modules (LM - lecture & mathematics, LME- lecture & mathematics & experiment, LMES - lecture & mathematics & experiment & simulation) which I applied during my courses. My unified framework encourages students to ask questions and express their thinking about the subject matter covered in the courses I have developed and instructed.
As a result of my educational practice, I formulated a conceptual model of student learning displaying the connectivity and relationships between the components of the proposed LMES instructional model and how students comprehend (seeing, sensing, realizing) and how students learn (knowing, adapting, creating types). I included in this concept the integration of types of students’ comprehension capabilities. Students may have one, two, or three types, with different strengths in each type. Some students may not attain the highest type. The proposed teaching modules support all learning types and by integrating a common concept or problem in each of them, enhance the potential for students to move to other types.

I educate and mentor undergraduate students as to inspire them to investigate deeply and propose the best evaluations and solutions to biomedical engineering problems. I bring a new angle to biomedical undergraduate program via my expertise in characterization, testing, and interpreting the biomechanics of human joints and body movements with application of professional software. In particular, my approach involves combining clinical viewpoints and engineering design in course materials.
The development and growth of my students is a paramount objective. I encourage and empower students to be creative in resolving the human-centered side of engineering design, to be open to a systems view on biomedical research, and have the curiosity to find the harmonizing transitions between the components of the system. Biomechanics; Senior Design Project; Introduction to Biomedical Engineering; Experimental Biomechanics; Assistive Living and Rehabilitation Devices Design; Workplace Design and Ergonomics; Biomechanics Theory and Practice for Rehabilitation; Human-User Interaction; Exoskeletons; Design & Practice; Creativity

With more than 28 years of experience I have acquired a strong foundation in Musculoskeletal Biomechanics. I have used that foundation in teaching, research, service and peer collaboration, to interpret methodologies and experiments for validation and analysis of human strength and movement in small- and large-scale device-tool-environment systems.
My primary research focus is on the musculoskeletal system. My current research interests include: (i) Biomechanics of Shoulder complex, (ii) Balance Control, (iii) Orthotic Biomechanics, (iv) Human Centered Design, (v) Wearable Sensors Technology for Neurorehabilitation, (vi) Prosthetic Biomechanics, (vii) Strength and body adaptation to biodegradable devices in orthopedics.
Currently, my research projects are focused on biomechanical issues in biomedical engineering. Recurrent Shoulder Instability: Evaluation and Management of Glenoid Bone Loss
Understanding and addressing irregularities in the osseous architecture of the glenohumeral joint for the treatment of glenohumeral instability. Glenoid bone deficiency with recurrent shoulder instability is an increasingly recognized cause of failed shoulder stabilization surgery.

Design of Orthotic System for Upper Extremity in Independent Rehabilitation
There is a need for upper limb orthotics for use by people with disabilities or limb The research program will cover design of brace supports and a computerized control system. The resistant movements at the joints of orthotic should implement engineering mechanical structures with controlled stiffness adjusted individually to a patient’s needs.


Modeling of Balance Control in Standing During Perturbations
There is a need for new engineering concepts of human body analysis in the presence of uncertainties and balance control input signals. Is the control strategy at the kinematic muscle level, or does a certain regulator exist between Use of automatic control concepts will provide new insights into the knowledge of human movement control and provide the tools for analysis of stochastic disturbances and time-varying balance process dynamics.

A Wearable Balance Control Indicator
The aim of this project is to propose a universal design for an early fall detection device which can be used particularly by the elderly. A wireless sensor attached to the subject will be used to collect the data. Based on the data acquired, an early fall detector will be designed and tested.

Effect of different prosthetic components on human balance and gait with lower-limb prosthesis

The project will identify if amputee gait is more asymmetrical than able-body gait and how much the trunk and arms contribute to the asymmetry.

Patterned Band Lower Extremity Orthotics and Its Applications for Sports Injury
Rehabilitation

I propose that the pattern band lower extremity orthotics assisting a group of muscles will result in improved balance control and running tests. The design should include validation and optimization of the proposed orthotics by application of musculoskeletal simulation software.

Is Grip Strength Related to Muscle Volume?

This study will propose a method of calculating muscle volumes from MRI scans, by application of 3DSeg software, and will assess the relationship of these volumes to grip strength. A biomechanical approach to the project will take the complex geometric nature of the shoulder into consideration in order to explain and optimize upper extremity prosthesis strength.

Human Centered and Biomechanical Validation of Assistive Living and Rehabilitation Devices
The primary objective of the program is to propose a method of design validation by implementation of biomechanical measurements. The prototypes of rehabilitation devices will be tested in different environments by using the force platforms to measure the forces, moments, and center of pressure distributions during static and dynamic conditions. Additionally, patients will be surveyed to obtain qualitative feedback.