Jeff Rankin

Dr. Jeffery Rankin, PhD, is the Acting Director of the Pathokinesiology Laboratory and Co-director of the Rehabilitation Engineering Program at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center. He received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering (Area of Research: Musculoskeletal Biomechanics) from the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Rankin uses engineering principles, including state-of-the-art musculoskeletal modeling and computer simulation methods and emerging technologies to better understand movement as well as to develop novel rehabilitation devices and approaches for improving patient outcomes in those with disability. He is currently the PI/Co-I on a number of federally funded research studies aimed at improving the lives of those with Spinal Cord Injury and complications from diabetes, including the development of wearable sensor and feedback systems. While his primary research focus is on clinical rehabilitation, Dr. Rankin’s research interests in movement are far-ranging: he has also conducted research to better understand cycling biomechanics and non-human movements like ostrich running and kangaroo rat jumping.