Faculty/Staff Directory

Blake

Ashby

blake_ashby@gvsu.edu

Professor

325 Kennedy Hall of Engineering

(616) 331-6753

• Mechanical Engineering

EGR 312 - Dynamics, EGR 447/547 - Engineering Mechanics of Human Motion,
EGR 346 - Mechatronic Systems Dynamics and Control,
EGR 612 - Analytical Dynamics

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Utah State University,
M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University,
Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University

TEXTBOOK:

• G.J. Alderink and B.M. Ashby, Clinical Kinesiology and Biomechanics - A Problem-Based Learning Approach, Springer, 2023.

SELECT MANUSCRIPTS:

• K. Joshi and B.M. Ashby, “Methods of Estimating Foot Power and Work in Standing Vertical Jump,” Journal of Applied Biomechanics, Vol. 38, pp. 293–300, 2022.
• B.M. Ashby, “Theoretical Justification for Distal Foot Power Equation,” Journal of Biomechanics, Vol. 109, 109964, 2020.
• B.M. Ashby, A.A. Sohel, and G.J. Alderink, “Effect of Arm Motion on Standing Lateral Jumps,” Journal of Biomechanics, Vol. 96, 109339, 2019.
• J. Beasley, L. Kenyon, A. Midena, J. Chartier, K. Meyers, B. Ashby, K. Anderson, “Cane Handle Designs – Pressure and Preference: A Pilot Study,” Journal of Acute Care Physical Therapy, Vol. 8, pp. 58-64, 2017.
• L.J. Hickox, B.M. Ashby, and G.J. Alderink, “Exploration of the Validity of the Two-Dimensional Sagittal Plane Assumption in Modeling the Standing Long Jump,” Journal of Biomechanics, Vol. 49, pp. 1085–1093, 2016.
• B.M. Ashby and W.S. Reffeor, “Using Stress Shielding in Hip Implants as a Case Study to Teach Loading of Composite Beams,” 123rd ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, 2016.
• J. Pocratsky, B. Ashby, and J. Beasley, “Upper Extremity Kinematics in Sonographers during Kidney Scanning,” Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Vol. 30, pp. 67–76, 2014.
• B.M. Ashby and A.F. Asay, “Reconstruction of an Actual Vehicle Rollover as a Special Project in an Undergraduate Dynamics Course,” 118th ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Vancouver, Canada, 2011.

SELECT CONFERENCE ABSTRACTS AND PRESENTATIONS

• B.M. Ashby and G.J. Alderink, “Internal Foot Power in the Standing Long Jump: Comparison of Distal Foot Power and Foot Power Imbalance,” XXVII Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics and 43rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics, Calgary, Canada, July 31–August 4, 2019.
• B.M. Ashby and G.J. Alderink, “Comparison of 3DOF and 6DOF Work and Power for Standing Long Jump,” 42nd Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics, Rochester, MN, August 8–11, 2018.
• L.J. Hickox, B.M. Ashby, and G.J. Alderink, “Effect of Kinematic Symmetry on Standing Long Jump Performance,” 40th Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics, Raleigh, NC, August 2–5, 2016.
• L.J. Hickox, B.M. Ashby, and G.J. Alderink, “Analyzing Joint Work Symmetry in the Standing Long Jump with a 3D Full-Body Model,” Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Meeting, Tampa, FL, October 7–10, 2015.
• B.M. Ashby, N. Vlietstra, L.J. Hickox, and G.J. Alderink, “Methods for Full Body Inverse Dynamics Analysis of Standing Long Jump,” 39th Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics, Columbus, OH, August 5–8, 2015.
• Filush and B.M. Ashby, “Effect of Using Hand Weights on Performance in the Standing Long Jump,” Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA, October 24–27, 2012.

Dr. Ashby's scholarship focuses on the modeling and analysis of human body movement and in engineering education. He conducts experimental investigations of jumping, walking, and running using the high-speed motion capture system in the Biomechanics and Motor Performance Laboratory at Grand Valley State University. He also develops computer simulations of human movement to explore questions that cannot be addressed with experimental techniques alone.

Dr. Ashby has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in mechanical and biomedical engineering since joining the School of Engineering at Grand Valley State University in 2010. He is currently serving as chair of the Biomedical Engineering Program. He was honored with the Pew Teaching Excellence Award by GVSU in 2023. His areas of interest, expertise, and research include the biomechanics of human movement, dynamics, kinematics, and solid mechanics. Prior to joining GVSU, he worked for several years as a consulting expert in the field of injury biomechanics and accident reconstruction with Woolley Engineering Research Corporation in Provo, Utah, and Exponent Failure Analysis Associates in Phoenix, Arizona.

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