Gerald Harris, PhD

Dr. Harris joined the Medical College of Wisconsin in 1989, bringing with him years of extensive orthopaedic biomechanics research and academic engineering experience. In addition to being Professor and Director of Orthopaedic Research in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at MCW, Dr. Harris holds a joint appointment as Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Marquette University and Director of Research of the Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Center (OREC), a joint effort between the Medical College and Marquette. Dr. Harris is also Director of the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) for Technologies for Children with Orthopaedic Disabilities through Marquette University. This national center is comprised of a multi-institutional team known for their work and is dedicated to improving the lives of children with orthopaedic disabilities through the development of effective technologies. The Medical College of Wisconsin is excited to be a part of this research team. Prior to joining Marquette in 1987, Dr. Harris was Director of Biomechanical Research at Shriners Hospital in Chicago. While there, he developed a pediatric orthopaedic research laboratory that concentrated on the special needs of children with cerebral palsy and spinal cord injury. Dr. Harris continues research at Shriners as Director of Biomedical and Rehabilitation Engineering. Dr. Harris’ research projects involve gait analysis, orthopaedic biomechanics, upper and lower extremity function, sensor development, bone remodeling, and studies of intramedullary bone rodding. He has authored over 450 articles, short papers and book chapters and has given numerous presentations at scientific conferences. Dr. Harris has co-authored three books: Foot and Ankle Motion Analysis: Clinical Treatment and Technology published in 2008 by CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL; Pediatric Gait published in 2000 and Human Motion Analysis published in 1996 by IEEE Press, New York. He is co-author of a book on osteogenesis imperfecta which will be published by Shriners Press next year. Dr. Harris is also active in a number of professional organizations, including the American Society for Biomechanics, Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineering (IEEE), and Orthopaedic Research Society. He has served as the president of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, North American Society for Gait and Clinical Motion Analysis, and is a Fellow of the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Development Medicine. His research interests include orthopaedic biomechanics, rehabilitation engineering, and analysis of gait; measurement of human performance; mechanical design; and computerized data acquisition and analysis. Dr. Harris received his bachelor of science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1971. After completing five years in the U.S. Marine Corps, he enrolled in the Biomedical Engineering program at Marquette University. In 1981, he completed his doctoral requirements in Biomedical Engineering at Marquette.

Dr. Harris' research interests involve gait analysis, orthopaedic biomechanics, upper and lower extremity function, sensor development, bone remodeling, and studies of intramedullary bone rodding.