Michael Hast

Associate Professor

Education

PhD | Mechanical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University
MS | Mechanical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University
BS | Mechanical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University

Executive Summary

Dr. Michael Hast received his Bachelor’s of Science (2004) Master’s Degree (2007) and PhD degree (2011) from the University of Pennsylvania in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.  Before joining the faculty at the University of Delaware, Dr. Hast was a Research Assistant Professor and the Director of the Penn Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders Biomechanics Core within the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania.  His research program focuses on fracture reconstruction, bone regeneration, and the interplay between mechanical and biological variables for enhanced healing. His lab uses additive manufacturing techniques to develop novel bioresorbable implants, with special attention paid to open reduction internal fixation repair strategies.  This research grapples with the intricate biomechanical and clinical challenges posed by the strength, degradation, and biological cascades associated with mechanotransductive implant designs. Dr. Hast also has an interest in characterizing bone healing responses with activity tracking, medical imaging, and computational modeling.  This approach offers a non-invasive, cost-effective, and rapid means to better assess patient-specific outcomes. Dr. Hast also has extensive experience in characterizing the mechanical properties of musculoskeletal tissues, which has resulted in a wide array of research collaborations throughout the fields of orthopaedics, dentistry, and medicine.

RESEARCH AREAS

• Biomechanical Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering

FACULTY EXPERTISE

• Biomechanics
• Materials Engineering
• Solid Mechanics