Jonathan D. Rupp, Ph.D. Assistant Research Scientist, UofM Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) Assistant Research Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine 2901 Baxter Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2150 (734) 936-1112 Office (734) 647-3330 Fax Email: jrupp@umich.edu

Professional Summary:

Dr. Rupp received his Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from the University of Michigan.  He currently holds appointments as an Assistant Research Scientist in the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute’s Biosciences Division and as an Assistant Research Professor in the University of Michigan Department of Emergency Medicine. 
Dr. Rupp's research is aimed at reducing the risk of death and injury in motor-vehicle crashes by studying the frequencies, causes, and patterns of injury in real-world crashes, by conducting laboratory biomechanical testing and performing computational simulations to characterize and quantify the human mechanical response and tissue tolerance to mechanical loading, and by developing criteria and tools for assessing the risk of injury that will aid in the development of countermeasures that mitigate occupant injury. His recent research focuses on performing biomechanical testing and computational simulations to develop new injury assessment criteria for the knee-thigh-hip complex in frontal motor-vehicle crashes, and on assessing and mitigating the risk of injuries to special populations, including children, the elderly, and pregnant occupants.

Education

Ph.D., University of Michigan, Biomedical engineering
M.S., University of Michigan, Mechanical Engineering
B.S., University of Michigan, Mechanical Engineering

Research Interests

The biomechanics of injury; Collection and analysis of data on injury and vehicle performance in motor-vehicle crashes; Motor-vehicle occupant protection; Crash prevention; Human anthropometry; Computational modeling of biologic tissues; Pediatric injury biomechanics; Effects of aging on injury and treatment of injury; Trauma during pregnancy; Evaluation of medical device performance.

Selected Publications:

Elliot, M.R., Resler, A.J., Flannagan, C.A., and Rupp, J.D. (2009).  Appropriate Analysis of CIREN Data: Using NASS-CDS to Reduce Bias in Estimation of Injury Risk Factors in Passenger Vehicle Crashes.  Accident Analysis and Prevention. doi:10.1016/j.aap.2009.09.01

Chang C.Y., Rupp, J.D., Reed, M.P., Hughes, R.E., and Schneider, L.W. (2009) Predicting the Effects of Muscle Activation on Knee. Thigh, and Hip Injuries in Frontal Crashes Using a Finite-Element Model with Muscle Forces from Subject Testing and Musculoskeletal Modeling.  Stapp Car Crash Journal 52.  In press.

Rupp, J.D., Flannangan, C.A., and Kuppa, S.M. (2009). Development of An Injury Risk Curve for the Hip for Use in Frontal Impact Crash Testing.  Journal of Biomechanics.  In Press.

Sivak, M., Schoettle, B. and Rupp, J. (2009). Survival in Fatal Road Crashes: Body Mass Index, Gender, and Safety-Belt Use.  Traffic Inj Prev. In Press.

Rupp, J.D., Flannangan, C.A., and Kuppa, S.M. (2009). Injury Risk Curves for the Skeletal Knee-Thigh-Hip Complex for Knee-Impact Loading. Accident Analysis and Prevention.  In press, DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2009.07.014

Flannagan, C.A and Rupp, J.D. (2009). Comparison of Distributions of Key Variables in CIREN and NASS-CDS Cases Meeting CIREN Inclusion Criteria. Traffic Injury Prevention 10(5): 451-457.

Hu, J.W., Klinich, K.D., Miller, C.S., Nazmi, G., Pearlman, M.D., Schneider, L.W., and Rupp, J.D. (2009) A new method for quantifying dynamic mechanical properties of human placenta tissue using uniaxial testing, specimen-specific finite-element modeling, and optimization techniques.  Journal of Biomechanics, doi:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2009.07.003.

Reed, M.P., Sochor, M.P., Rupp, J.D., Klinich, K.D. and Manary, M.A. (2009).  A Statistical Model of the Pediatric Pelvis for Crash Dummy Design. Journal of Biomechanics 42(8): 1143-1145.

Chang, C.Y.  Rupp, J.D., Schneider, L.W., and Kikuchi, N. (2008). Development of a Finite Element Model to Study the Effects of Muscle Forces on Knee-Thigh-Hip Injuries in Frontal Crashes.  Stapp Car Crash Journal, 52:475-504.

Rupp, J.D.  Miller, C.S., Reed, M.P., Madura, N.H, Klinich, K.D., and Schneider, L.W. (2008).  Characterization of Knee-Thigh-Hip Response in Frontal Impacts Using Biomechanical Testing and Computational Simulation. Stapp Car Crash Journal 52:421-474.

Klinich, K.D., Flannagan, C.A., Rupp, J.D., Sochor, M.P., Schneider, L.W., and Pearlman, M.D. (2008).   Fetal outcome in motor-vehicle crashes: Effects of crash characteristics and maternal restraint.  American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 198:450.e1-450.e9

Rouhana, S.W., Kankanala, S.V., Prasad, P., Rupp, J.D., Jeffreys, T.J., and Schneider, L.W. (2006). Biomechanics of 4-point seat belt systems in farside impacts.  Stapp Car Crash Journal, 50: 267-298.

Sochor, M.P. and Rupp J.D. (2005).  Knee-Thigh-Hip Injuries in Frontal Crashes.  Annals of Emergency Medicine 46 (2): 168-171.

Rupp, J.D. and Schneider, L.W. (2004). Injuries to the hip joint in frontal motor-vehicle crashes: Biomechanical and real-world perspectives.  Orthopedic Clinics of North America, 35(4): 493-504.

van Rooij, L., van Hoof, J., McCann, M., Ridella, S., and Rupp, J.D. (2004). A finite element lower extremity and pelvis model for predicting bone injuries due to knee bolster loading.  SAE 2004 Transactions: Journal of Aerospace. SAE paper no. 2004-01-2130.  Society of Automotive Engineers, Warrendale PA.

Rupp, J.D., Reed, M.P., Jeffreys, T.J., and Schneider, L.W. (2003).  Effects of hip posture on the frontal impact tolerance of the human hip joint.  Stapp Car Crash Journal, 47: 21-33.

Rouhana, S.W., Bedewi, P., Kankanala, S.V., Prasad, P., Zwolinski, J.J., Medufsky, A., Rupp, J.D., Jeffreys, T.J., and Schneider, L.W. (2003). Biomechanics of 4-point seat belt systems in frontal impacts.  Stapp Car Crash Journal, 47: 367-400.

Rupp, J.D., Reed, M.P., Van Ee, C.A., Kuppa, S., Wang, S.C., Goulet, J.A., and Schneider, L.W. (2002). The tolerance of the human hip to dynamic knee loading.  Stapp Car Crash Journal, 46: 211-228.

Rupp, J.D., Klinich, K.D., Moss, S., Zhou, J., Pearlman, M.D., and Schneider, L.W. (2001). Development of a prototype pregnant abdomen for the small-female Hybrid III ATD.  Stapp Car Crash Journal, 45: 61-78.

Pearlman, M.D., Klinich, K.D., Schneider. L.W., Rupp, J.D., and Moss, S. (2000).  A comprehensive program to improve automotive safety for pregnant women and their fetuses in motor vehicle crashes: A preliminary report.  American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 182(6): 1554-1564.
 
Reed, M.P., Rupp, J.D., Hardy, W.N., and Schneider, L.W. (1999).  Methods for laboratory investigation of airbag-induced thermal skin burns.  SAE Transactions: Journal of Passenger Cars, 108: Paper 991064.

Reed, M.P., Rupp, J.D., Reed, S.J., and Schneider, L.W. (1999).  Development of an improved airbag-induced thermal skin burn model.  SAE Transactions: Journal of Passenger Cars, 108: Paper 991065.
 
Klinich, K.D., Schneider, L.W., Rupp, J.D., Eby, B.H., and Pearlman, M.P. (1999).  Challenges in frontal crash protection of pregnant drivers based on anthropometric considerations. SAE Transactions: Journal of Passenger Cars, 108: Paper 990711.

Pregnant Crash Test Dummies. Rupp, J.D., Klinich, KD, and Schneider, L.W. (2009) in Pregnant Occupants: The Biomechanics of Injury Prevention.  Society of Automotive Engineers, Warrendale, PA.

Pregnant Occupant Crash Investigations.  Klinich, KD, Flannagan CA, Rupp, J.D. (2009) and Schneider, L.W.  in Pregnant Occupants: The Biomechanics of Injury Prevention.  Society of Automotive Engineers, Warrendale, PA.

Current Grants/Projects:

Knee-Thigh-Hip Response and Injury in Frontal Crashes
Role: Principal Investigator/Project Director
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Abdomen Response and Injury in Frontal and Side Impact
Role: Principal Investigator/Project Director
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Upgrading Anthropometry of Child ATDs to Improve Belt Restraint Fit and Loading
Role: Principal Investigator/Project Director
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Pregnant Occupant Injury Research
Role: Principal Investigator/Project Director
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

IV Catheter penetration testing
Role: Principal Investigator/Project Director
Becton Dickinson

Simulations to Characterize Variations in Lower Extremity Injury Potential with Knee Impact Location, Seat Fore-Aft Position, and Muscle Activation
Role: Principal Investigator
Johnson Controls Inc.

Continued Development of Methods for Appropriate Analysis of CIREN Data
Role: Co-Principal Investigator,
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Crash Injury Research and Engineering Network Zone Center
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration