Robert W. Adenbaum Professor

Biomechanics, neural control, locomotion, and robotics

Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, 1998
M.S., University of Miami, 1994
B.S., University of Central Florida, 1992

Research Summary:

Dr. Ferris’ research focuses on the biomechanics and neural control of human locomotion. Most of his research focuses on human-machine interactions (mechanically and electrically). Projects include both technology development and basic research using mobile brain imaging, robotic lower limb exoskeletons, and bionic lower limb prostheses. The general goal is to identify principles of how humans control their movements and how they learn to use robotic assistance. The results provide guidance for designing robotic devices to assist human walking and running. His laboratory has created several different robotic lower limb exoskeletons to determine how assistance at the ankle, knee, and hip can reduce the energetic cost of locomotion and making walking easier for humans. His laboratory has also translated the technologies to develop a bionic lower limb prosthesis under proportional myoelectric control. Dr. Ferris and his group are also pioneering the use of high-density electroencephalography (EEG) to perform mobile brain imaging with high temporal resolution. This last effort includes both new hardware and software innovations to facilitate removal of motion and muscle artifacts from EEG during walking and running.

Honors and Awards:

• Fellow, American Society of Biomechanics (ASB), 2023
• Editor-In -Chief, IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, 2018-2020
• Founders’ Award, American Society of Biomechanics, 2018
• Fellow, American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), 2017

Selected Publications:

Google Scholar Citations Link

MacLean, M. K., & Ferris, D. P. (2019). Energetics of walking with a robotic knee exoskeleton​. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 35, 320-326.

Peterson, S. M., & Ferris, D. P. (2019). Group-level cortical and muscular connectivity during perturbations to walking and standing balance. NeuroImage, 198, 93-103.

Ingraham, K. A., Ferris, D. P., & Remy, C. D. (2019). Evaluating physiological signal salience for estimating metabolic energy cost from wearable sensors. Journal of Applied Physiology, 126(3), 717-729.

Nordin, A. D., Hairston, W. D., & Ferris, D. P. (2019). Human electrocortical dynamics while stepping over obstacles. Scientific Reports, 9(1), 4693.

Koller, J. R., Remy, C. D., & Ferris, D. P. (2018). Biomechanics and energetics of walking in powered ankle exoskeletons using myoelectric control versus mechanically intrinsic control. Journal of Neuroengineering and Rehabilitation, 15(1), 42.

Voloshina, A. S., & Ferris, D. P. (2018). Design and Validation of an Instrumented Uneven Terrain Treadmill. Journal of Applied biomechanics, 34(3), 236-239.​