Dr. Bertocci is a Professor in Bioengineering, Mechanical Engineering and Pediatrics, and is the Endowed Chair of Biomechanics. Dr. Bertocci's academic training is in Bioengineering and Mechanical Engineering. She completed her PhD in Bioengineering from the University of Pittsburgh in 1997. Her research has focused on injury biomechanics and rehabilitation biomechanics. Dr. Bertocci's injury biomechanics research has been in the fields of child abuse and wheelchair transportation safety. Before joining the University of Louisville, Dr. Bertocci was the Director of the RERC (Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center) on Wheelchair Transportation Safety at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Bertocci continues to be involved in the RERC on Wheelchair Transportation Safety focusing her research on injury risk associated with wheelchair transport and developing guidelines for the design of crashworthy wheelchairs. She is also a member of the ANSI/RESNA Committee on Wheelchairs and Transportation, and a designated expert for ISO Wheelchair Transportation Working Group. Dr. Bertocci's research in the area of child abuse has focused on determining the compatibility between injuries and stated causes using biomechanical principles and techniques. This work has utilized test dummies and computer simulation to investigate injury risk associated with common household falls that may be used as falsely stated scenarios in child abuse cases. Dr. Bertocci also conducts research in the area of canine biomechanics, working towards gaining an understanding of factors that influence cruciate ligament rupture.
