Laurel Kuxhaus

Biomedical Engineer

Dr. Kuxhaus led a research laboratory at Clarkson University from 2009 to 2024 after completing training as an upper-extremity biomechanist focusing on the elbow.  The work led by Dr. Kuxhaus, her collaborators, and her trainees pushed the boundaries of orthopaedic research using the finest locally-harvested materials and advanced biomedical engineering knowledge, specifically about biomechanics.  Key laboratory accomplishments include:

• Establishing a novel model (cervine vertebrae, tibia, femora, and knee joints) for ex-vivo biomechanical testing.
• Design and FDA clearance of an intramedullary nail for fracture fixation in long bones.  (This led to the founding of Adaptable Ortho Innovations.)
• Characterizing the impact-resistant properties of pomelo peel as a potential biomimetic material for fall prevention. 

Dr. Kuxhaus is a Fellow of both ASME and AIMBE.  For more complete descriptions of scholarly contributions by Dr. Kuxhaus, see Google Scholar, ORCiD, or her CV .

Program Officer and Scientific Leader

Dr. Kuxhaus is an experienced Program Officer and leader within the scientific community.  She has managed the Biomechanics and Mechanobiology program at the National Science Foundation (NSF), the training modules in research security at NSF, and well as the Bridge2AI program at the National Institutes of Health.  In all efforts, she strives to lead teams toward consensus.  Key competencies in program management include:

• Timely replies and frequent interaction with the scientific community.
• Excellence in organizing and carrying out the peer review process.
• A high degree of collaboration with related programs within and across federal agencies.
• Active contributions to the development and modification of funding opportunities, such as the BRITE and ERI solicitations at the NSF.

Laurel has served in leadership roles in professional societies, including:

• Bioengineering Division of ASME
  • Education Committee Chair
  • Robert M. Nerem medal for Education and Mentorship – Committee chair
• American Society of Biomechanics
  • Membership Committee
• Orthopaedic Research Society
  • Spine Section, Federal Funding Laision 

Educator and Mentor

Known to her students as “Dr. K.”, Laurel fosters the development of successful learning and research habits in trainees. The root of her teaching and mentoring philosophy is that students and mentees are future colleagues.  Thus she encourages autonomy in my research students by allowing them to lead the design, analysis, and publishing of results, and in classroom students by creating flexible pathways to meet learning objectives.  Whenever possible, interdisciplinary approaches are structured into projects.

From 2009 to 2024, the Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory at Clarkson University trained 9 graduate and 35 undergraduate researchers. Lab alumni now hold positions in academia, industry, and government.