Outstanding Researcher Dr. Richard Komistek
The COE's biomedical engineering program continues to flourish, attracting record numbers of students each year. Dr. Richard Komistek, the Fred M. Roddy Professor of Biomedical Engineering and co-director of the UT Center for Musculoskeletal Research (CMR), is not surprised.
"What we've done with this center is to create something that is different–we deal with biomechanics, biocontrols, bioimaging, biosensors and other related research–and we try to involve students from all over the world," Komistek said.
Komistek joined the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Biomedical Engineering in January of 2003. Prior to coming to UT, Komistek was the president and executive director of the Rocky Mountain Musculoskeletal Research Laboratory in Denver, Colo., where he partnered with Dr. Douglas Dennis, a world-renowned orthopedic surgeon, and Dr. Mohamed Mahfouz, his CMR co-director at UT.
Komistek believes that his strong research background provides a fresh approach to his teaching in the classroom.
"One of the reasons I decided to join academia was to teach and interact with students. I not only have the opportunity to instruct students in the classroom, but also to find assistants to help with my research projects," Komistek added. "The research provides me with an opportunity to continue teaching the latest concepts to students. I don't use textbooks; most of my instruction is through journal articles and real-life problems that the students and I create each semester. I also invite guest lecturers, orthopaedic surgeons and biomedical engineers who are industry professionals. It's more of a hands-on approach."
Komistek, who received his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Memphis in Memphis, Tenn., established the UT Center for Musculoskeletal Research with fellow biomedical engineering professor Dr. Mohamed Mahfouz.
"What Dr. Mahfouz and I have done is to bring a proven program from Denver to UT to do cutting-edge research that is not being done anywhere else in the world. We like to joke that we are the 'McDonald's of the biomedical world'–the biomedical companies pull up, tell us what they need and we get it done. The hands-on research really benefits everyone–the companies, the students, the doctors, the surgeons and the patients," Komistek added.
The primary focus of biomedical engineering is to create long-wearing, sustainable implants to replace joints in the human body that are worn or diseased and to conduct research leading to significant advances in the implants allowing patients to lead a normal life. Present implants can fail prematurely, between 2-10 years, and the patients' activity levels then become limited.
"Our real goal is to help people with arthritis and other disabilities to live better lives," Komistek commented. "We're dealing with implants for every joint in the body now–the ultimate goal is to have an implant that will last the lifetime of the recipient."
Komistek was named the first Fred M. Roddy Professor of Biomedical Engineering in 2006. The professorship, which recognizes excellence in biomedical teaching and research, was established in honor of UT alumnus Fred M. Roddy, a 1927 mechanical engineering graduate and founder of the Cumberland Engineering Company.
Komistek is also a member of the prestigious Knee Society and won its Coventry Award in 2003. He was also named as a College of Engineering Research Fellow in 2004 and 2006 and is the Executive Director of the International Society of Technology in Arthroplasty. In 2005, he was asked to be the guest editor for the Journal of Biomechanics for an edition focused on knee mechanics.
Komistek has high hopes for the future of the biomedical engineering program at UT. Already, two of the program's students have won international awards for the best biomechanics papers.
"I can see eventually competing for larger government grants and added research funding. We also want to maintain the quality of our students and keep bringing in the best and brightest from around the world," Komistek said.
Komistek also wants the students to leave UT prepared for a profession in biomedical engineering.
"We want our students to have a definitive career experience–to leave UT with a program, not just a degree," Komistek added. "They will know how to write proposals, secure grants, get funding, present at international conferences and write reports. We want our students to eventually develop and create even more successful programs than the one we presently have at CMR. They will leave here ready for the real world–that's what counts."