{"id":396,"date":"2019-02-08T16:13:06","date_gmt":"2019-02-08T21:13:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/faculty.wcu.edu\/mtanaka\/?page_id=396"},"modified":"2026-05-26T15:49:30","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T19:49:30","slug":"dr-tanaka","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/faculty.wcu.edu\/mtanaka\/dr-tanaka\/","title":{"rendered":"Dr. Tanaka"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/span><\/div><\/div>

Martin L. Tanaka Ph.D. P.E.<\/span><\/h1>\n
As a biomedical engineer with significant experience in mechanical design, my research focuses on two main areas 1) understanding human movement and 2) developing innovative engineering devices. In the first focus area, my students and I apply mechanical engineering principles to understand human movement to prevent injuries, aid in rehabilitation, and develop new diagnostic methods. Our specific emphasis is to understanding stability of movement and non-linear dynamics of multi body systems. In the second focus area, I work with students to design innovative products using methods that I acquired and refined while working in industry. Product\/process design research enables investigation of cutting edge ideas that push the boundaries of normal innovation. Although many of these devices are medical in nature, a significant number are other applications of electro-mechanical devices. An element common to both focus areas is the use of mathematical modeling and computer simulations. These can be used not only to gain a better understanding of complex systems, but to conduct virtual experiments avoiding costly trial and error methods.<\/p>\n
\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\u00a0EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering, May 2008
Virginia Tech & Wake Forest University, Blacksburg, VA \/ Winston-Salem, NC<\/p>\n

M.S. Engineering Mechanics, December 1993
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA<\/p>\n

B.S. Mechanical Engineering, May 1992
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC<\/p>\n

NSF Scholar in Residence at the FDA (2022, 2024, & 2025)<\/p>\n

Licensed Professional Engineer, (since 2003)
North Carolina #038925<\/p>\n

RESEARCH & TEACHING INTERESTS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Product innovation, design, development, manufacturing, and launch
Innovative medical devices including prosthesis and assistive devices
Human dynamics and neuromuscular control<\/p>\n

HONORS, AWARDS AND PATENTS\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (2016)
Winning Team \u2013 Faculty Entrepreneurship Boot Camp at UNC Chapel Hill (2015)
Board of Governors Distinguished Teaching Award (2014-2015)
The Kimmel School Distinguished Research and Scholarly Engagement Award (2013-2014)
The Kimmel School Outstanding Early Faculty Career Award (2011-2012)
US Patent: Tissue tensioning devices and related methods<\/em>. USPTO\u00a08,926,626<\/a> 606-102.
US Patent: Purge Gas Sensor. <\/em>USPTO\u00a06,789,433<\/a> 73-861.52.
Tau Beta Pi \u2013 Engineering Honor Society \u2013 Chapter President, NC Alpha (1990-1991)
Veteran \u2013 Served in US Army (1985-1993)
DOD Secret Clearance \u2013 Issues 1987<\/p>\n

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY<\/strong><\/p>\n

Western Carolina University, School of Engineering and Technology, Cullowhee, NC<\/strong>
Professor (2021 \u2013 Present)
Program Director, Bachelor of Science in Engineering (2023 - Present)
Associate Professor (2016 \u2013 2021)
Graduate Program Director (2014 \u2013 2017)
Assistant Professor (2010 \u2013 2016)
Fellow, Rapid Center (2010 \u2013 2012)<\/p>\n

Wake Forest University, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Winston-Salem, NC
<\/strong>Assistant Professor\u00a0 (2009 \u2013 2010)
Instructor (2008 \u2013 2009)
Director, Human Performance and Biodynamics Laboratory (2008 \u2013 2010)<\/p>\n

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), Blacksburg, VA
<\/strong>Research Assistant (2006 \u2013 2008)
Teaching Assistant (2005 \u2013 2006)<\/p>\n

Electro -Tec Corporation, Blacksburg, VA
<\/strong>Engineering Manager & Quality Manager (2004-2005)
<\/strong><\/p>\n

ABB Incorporated, Lewisburg, WV
<\/strong>Mechanical Team Leader \/ Senior Engineer (2001 \u2013 2004)<\/p>\n

Siemens VDO Automotive
<\/strong>Mechanical Engineering Supervisor (2000 \u2013 2001) Troy, MI
Sr. Mechanical Engineer (1996 \u2013 2000) Winchester, VA<\/p>\n

Texas Instruments Incorporated, Lexington, KY
<\/strong>Mechanical Design Engineer (1994 \u2013 1996)<\/p>\n

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), Blacksburg, VA
<\/strong>Research Assistant (1992 \u2013 1994)<\/p>\n

US Army, 24th Infantry Division, 1st 14th Field Artillery, Ft. Stewart, GA
<\/strong>Soldier (1986 \u2013 1988)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":180,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-396","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/faculty.wcu.edu\/mtanaka\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/396","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/faculty.wcu.edu\/mtanaka\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/faculty.wcu.edu\/mtanaka\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/faculty.wcu.edu\/mtanaka\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/180"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/faculty.wcu.edu\/mtanaka\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=396"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/faculty.wcu.edu\/mtanaka\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/396\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2705,"href":"https:\/\/faculty.wcu.edu\/mtanaka\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/396\/revisions\/2705"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/faculty.wcu.edu\/mtanaka\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=396"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}