Tel. +1 (424) 322-8425
Education
Ph.D., Northeastern 2009
M.S., Northeastern 2005
B.S., UC Davis 2003
Registered Professional Mechanical Engineer
California
Certifications
CXLT Certified
Nicholas Yang, Ph.D., P.E.
Senior Biomechanical Engineer
Dr. Nicholas Yang is a Senior Biomechanical Engineer at Guidance Engineering and Applied Research who specializes in accident reconstruction and biomechanics. He addresses biomechanical injury claims related to motor vehicle accidents, industrial/occupational accidents, elevator accidents, recreational sports, and slips, trips, and falls. Dr. Yang analyzes the forces and motions during an accident and compares them to forces and motions necessary to create an injury and those experienced during activities of daily living. He also uses injuries as evidence to determine how an accident occurred. Dr. Yang evaluates risk of injury using computational models, ATDs (crash test dummies), and statistical analyses. He also uses MADYMO to model real world accidents in a virtual environment.
Dr. Yang has conducted biomechanical engineering research to assess injury potential to the spine in rear-end vehicle accidents; determine the risk of head and brain injury in baseball and the effectiveness of batting helmets; evaluate injuries sustained by heavy truck occupants; and, investigate knee biomechanics during gait and athletic maneuvers. He continues to be engaged in research related to spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and the role of personal protective equipment, such as helmets, to mitigate injuries.
Prior to joining Guidance Engineering, Dr. Yang was a Senior Engineer in the Biomechanics Practice at Exponent Failure Analysis Associates. He also supported the Technology Development Practice at Exponent, providing technical support in Afghanistan for the Ground Penetrating Radar project, which was developed to detect improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Dr. Yang also conducted research related to knee biomechanics as a graduate research assistant in the Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Laboratory in the Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy at the University of Southern California.