Patrick Smolinski, PhD

Associate Professor Orthopaedic Surgery

608 Benedum Hall | 3700 O’Hara Street | Pittsburgh, PA 15261 P: 412-624-9788

patsmol@pitt.edu

Biography

Dr. Smolinski graduated with a PhD in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics from Northwestern University. Prior to coming to the University of Pittsburgh, he was a Senior Research Engineering at the General Motors Research Laboratory. Professor Smolinski is a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and a Founding Member of the United States Society Association for Computational Mechanics (USACM). In 2013 he was selected as the Outstanding Mentor, PrePhD Summer Research Experience at the Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh. He has directed research projects that have been chosen as a finalist in Achilles Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Research Award from the International Society of Arthroscopy Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine (2011), was 2nd Place in the John J. Joyce Award, International Society of Arthroscopy Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine (2009), won the Best Paper Award from Asia Arthroscopy Conference (2008), Arthroscopy Association of North America, Resident/Fellow Scholarship Award 2007 (Basic Science).

Areas of Research

Prof. Smolinski’s research includes both computational simulation and biomechanics. Computational studies involve the development of efficient computational algorithms and the application of computational methods to novel problems. Computational simulations have been applied to device design, the study of manufacturing processes and metal forming, response of structures under extreme loading environments, analysis of surgical methods and the study of human injury mechanisms. Biomechanical studies has involved the characterization of biological tissue structure, form and function including tissue material properties, anatomical features, morphology and tissue in-situ forces. Studies of surgical techniques include anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and other ligament reconstruction with experimental evaluation. Computer simulations of ACL surgical repair techniques have been used to assess graft stresses and strains. Computational methods have been used for the optimization of joint replacement components to minimize component wear and the bone remodeling associated with joint replacement.