Parker Berthelson

Parker is a Mechanical Engineer working with the Center for Applied Biomechanics at the University of Virginia. Prior to this, Parker worked at Mississippi State University’s Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems (CAVS) while earning his BS (Biological Engineering) and MS (Biomedical Engineering). Throughout his career, Parker has led many experimental and computational research studies to investigate the mechanics of human injury across automotive, military, and sports environments. From these projects, he has gained significant experience in project management and coordination, data collection (DAS) and analysis (Matlab, R, Python), computational modeling (FEA, LS-Dyna), engineering design (CAD, Solidworks), and mechanical/biological laboratory techniques.
Parker Berthelson

Education

  • B.S., Biological Engineering – Mississippi State University
  • M.S., Biomedical Engineering – Mississippi State University

Selected Publications

  • Carpenter R, Berthelson PR, Donlon JP, Forman J; (2023) Comparison of the Knee-Thigh-Hip Response in Small Female ATDs with Female PMHS. SAE International Journal of Transportation Safety, 11(2):133-150. doi.org/10.4271/09-11-02-0013.
  • McMahon JA, Berthelson PR, Shah A, Op ‘t Eynde J, Salzar RS, McEntire JB; (2023) Development of Impulse-Based Rib Fracture Injury Criterion for Behind Armor Blunt Trauma. Proceedings of the International Research Council on the Biomechanics of Impact (IRCOBI). Paper IRC-23-71. Cambridge, UK, September 13-15. 
  • Berthelson PR, Shedd DF, Rifkin JA, McMahon J, Giudice JS, Kopp KP, Overby BE, Forman JL, Panzer MB; (2022) Evaluation of an In Situ Ovine Model as a Surrogate for Human Skin Injury Caused by High-Rate Blunt Impact. Human Factors and Mechanical Engineering for Defense and Safety, 6(4). doi.org/10.1007/s41314-022-00041-4. 
  • Berthelson PR, Ghassemi P, Wood JW, Stubblefield GG, Al-Graitti AJ, Jones MD, Chowdhury S, Prabhu RK; (2021) A Finite Element-Guided Mathematical Surrogate Modeling Approach for Assessing Occupant Injury Trends Across Variations in Simplified Vehicular Impact Conditions. Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing, 59:1065-1079. doi.org/10.1007/s11517-021-02349-3. 
  • Berthelson PR, Jayathirtha MK, Zhu J, Sochor S, Overby B, Forman JL, Panzer MB; (2021) Characterization of PMHS Shoulder Biomechanics Under Sub-Injurious Loading. Proceedings of the International Research Council on the Biomechanics of Impact (IRCOBI). Paper IRC-21-39. Online, September 8-10.
  • Zhu J, Berthelson PR, Jayathirtha MK, Forman JL, Panzer MB; (2021) Using Neural Network Models to Predict Shoulder Bone Response from Humerus Kinematics. Proceedings of the International Research Council on the Biomechanics of Impact (IRCOBI). Paper IRC-21-80. Online, September 8-10.

Research Interests

  • Injury Biomechanics
  • Automotive Safety
  • Military Safety
  • Computer Aided Design (CAD)
  • ATD Development
  • Injury Mitigation Systems
  • Finite Element Analysis
  • Data Analysis and Visualization

Awards/Affiliations

  • Certified SOLIDWORKS Associate in Mechanical Design (CSWA-Mechanical Design), 2022-Present
  • Vice President & Co-Founder – University of Virginia Student Chapter of American Society of Biomechanics (ASB), 2020-2021
  • University of Virginia Dean’s Office Distinguished Fellow, 2019-2021
  • University of Virginia Copenhaver Fellow, 2019-2021
  • Member – Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES), 2018-2020
  • University of Virginia Jefferson Fellow Nominee, 2019

Other Interests

  • Sports, music, movies