(2018) Innovative Institute - Pitt Innovator Award.
(2018) Pittsburgh Innovation Challenge - Poster Award.
(2017) German Knee Society (DKG) - Best Poster Award.
(2016) Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) - New Investigator Research Award.
BS, Mathematics, Westminster College, 1997 - 2002
BS, Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 2000 - 2002
MS, Mechanical Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, 2004 - 2006
PhD, Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 2008 - 2013
Bailes, A.H., Johnson, M., Roos, R., Clark, W., Cook, H., McKernan, G., Sowa, G.A., Cham, R., & Bell, K.M. (2024). Assessing the Reliability and Validity of Inertial Measurement Units to Measure Three-Dimensional Spine and Hip Kinematics during Clinical Movement Tasks. Sensors, 24(20), 6580.MDPI. doi: 10.3390/s24206580.
Hoydick, J.F., Johnson, M.E., Cook, H.A., Alfikri, Z.F., Jakicic, J.M., Piva, S.R., Chambers, A.J., & Bell, K.M. (2024). Algorithm Validation for Quantifying ActiGraph™ Physical Activity Metrics in Individuals with Chronic Low Back Pain and Healthy Controls. SENSORS, 24(16), 5323.MDPI. doi: 10.3390/s24165323.
Quirk, D.A., Johnson, M., Anderson, D., Smuck, M., Sun, R., Matthew, R., Bailey, J., Marras, W., Bell, K., Darwin, J., & Bowden, A. (2023). Biomechanical Phenotyping of Chronic Low Back Pain: Protocol for BACPAC. PAIN MEDICINE, 24(Suppl 1), S48-S60.Oxford University Press (OUP). doi: 10.1093/pm/pnac163.
Riffitts, M., Oh, A., Alemu, A., Patel, V., Smith, C.N., Murati, S., Bailes, A., Allen, M., Dombrowski, M., Lee, J.Y., Donaldson III, W.F., Clark, W.W., & Bell, K. (2023). Functional range of motion of the cervical spine in cervical fusion patients during activities of daily living. JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS, 152, 111528.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2023.111528.
Vo, N.V., Piva, S.R., Patterson, C.G., McKernan, G.P., Zhou, L., Bell, K.M., Anderst, W., Greco, C.M., Schneider, M.J., Delitto, A., Dicianno, B.E., Darwin, J., & Sowa, G.A. (2023). Toward the Identification of Distinct Phenotypes: Research Protocol for the Low Back Pain Biological, Biomechanical, and Behavioral (LB3P) Cohort Study and the BACPAC Mechanistic Research Center at the University of Pittsburgh. PAIN MEDICINE, 24(Suppl 1), S36-S47.Oxford University Press (OUP). doi: 10.1093/pm/pnad009.
Riffitts, M., Cook, H., McClincy, M., & Bell, K. (2022). Evaluation of a Smart Knee Brace for Range of Motion and Velocity Monitoring during Rehabilitation Exercises and an Exergame. SENSORS, 22(24), 9965.MDPI. doi: 10.3390/s22249965.
Wawrose, R.A., Couch, B.K., Dombrowski, M., Chen, S.R., Oyekan, A., Dong, Q., Wang, D., Zhou, C., Chen, J., Modali, K., Johnson, M., Sedor-Schiffhauer, Z., Hitchens, T.K., Jin, T., Bell, K.M., Lee, J.Y., Sowa, G.A., & Vo, N.V. (2022). Percutaneous lumbar annular puncture: A rat model to study intervertebral disc degeneration and pain-related behavior. JOR SPINE, 5(2), e1202.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/jsp2.1202.
Magana, L.C., Murati, S., Riffitts, M., Harrison, C., Harris, A., Sowa, G., Johnson, J.T., Bell, K., & Nilsen, M. (2021). Subjective and Objective Measures in Assessing Neck Disability and Pain in Head and Neck Cancer. LARYNGOSCOPE, 131(9), 2015-2022.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/lary.29488.
McClincy, M., Seabol, L.G., Riffitts, M., Ruh, E., Novak, N.E., Wasilko, R., Hamm, M.E., & Bell, K.M. (2021). Perspectives on the Gamification of an Interactive Health Technology for Postoperative Rehabilitation of Pediatric Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: User-Centered Design Approach. JMIR SERIOUS GAMES, 9(3), e27195.JMIR Publications. doi: 10.2196/27195.
McClincy, M., Seabol, L.G., Riffitts, M., Ruh, E., Novak, N.E., Wasilko, R., Hamm, M.E., & Bell, K.M. (2021). Perspectives on the Gamification of an Interactive Health Technology for Postoperative Rehabilitation of Pediatric Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: User-Centered Design Approach (Preprint). JMIR Publications. doi: 10.2196/preprints.27195.
Wawrose, R.A., Howington, F.E., LeVasseur, C.M., Smith, C.N., Couch, B.K., Shaw, J.D., Donaldson, W.F., Lee, J.Y., Patterson, C.G., Anderst, W.J., & Bell, K.M. (2021). Assessing the biofidelity of in vitro biomechanical testing of the human cervical spine. JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, 39(6), 1217-1226.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/jor.24702.
Bechard, L., Bell, K., & Lynch, A. (2020). Preliminary validation of a mobile force Sensing device for clinical and telerehabilitation. JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS, 110, 109973.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2020.109973.
Bell, K.M., Onyeukwu, C., Smith, C.N., Oh, A., Dabbs, A.D., Piva, S.R., Popchak, A.J., Lynch, A.D., Irrgang, J.J., & McClincy, M.P. (2020). A Portable System for Remote Rehabilitation Following a Total Knee Replacement: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Clinical Study. SENSORS, 20(21), 6118.MDPI. doi: 10.3390/s20216118.
Tisherman, R., Hartman, R., Hariharan, K., Vaudreuil, N., Sowa, G., Schneider, M., Timko, M., & Bell, K. (2020). Biomechanical contribution of the alar ligaments to upper cervical stability. JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS, 99, 109508.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2019.109508.
Bell, K.M., Debski, R.E., Sowa, G.A., Kang, J.D., & Tashman, S. (2019). Optimization of compressive loading parameters to mimic in vivo cervical spine kinematics in vitro. JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS, 87, 107-113.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2019.02.022.
Bell, K.M., Onyeukwu, C., McClincy, M.P., Allen, M., Bechard, L., Mukherjee, A., Hartman, R.A., Smith, C., Lynch, A.D., & Irrgang, J.J. (2019). Verification of a Portable Motion Tracking System for Remote Management of Physical Rehabilitation of the Knee. SENSORS, 19(5), 1021.MDPI. doi: 10.3390/s19051021.
Guenther, D., Sexton, S.L., Bell, K.M., Irarrazaval, S., Fu, F.H., Musahl, V., & Debski, R.E. (2019). Non-uniform strain distribution in anterolateral capsule of knee: Implications for surgical repair. JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, 37(5), 1025-1032.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/jor.24270.
Ouyang, Z., Wang, W., Vaudreuil, N., Tisherman, R., Yan, Y., Bosch, P., Kang, J., & Bell, K. (2019). Biomechanical Analysis of a Growing Rod with Sliding Pedicle Screw System for Early-Onset Scoliosis. JOURNAL OF HEALTHCARE ENGINEERING, 2019(1), 9535070.Hindawi. doi: 10.1155/2019/9535070.
Rynearson, B., Ramanathan, R., Allen, M., Wang, X., Vaudreuil, N., Bell, K.M., & Bosch, P. (2019). Biomechanical Analysis of Wide Posterior Releases Compared With Inferior Facetectomy and Discectomy in the Thoracolumbar and Lumbar Spine. SPINE DEFORMITY, 7(3), 404-409.Springer Nature. doi: 10.1016/j.jspd.2018.09.004.
Rynearson, B., Ramanathan, R., Allen, M., Wang, X., Vaudreuil, N., Bell, K.M., & Bosch, P. (2019). Biomechanical Analysis of Wide Posterior Releases Compared With Inferior Facetectomy and Discectomy in the Thoracolumbar and Lumbar Spine. Spine Deform, 7(3), 404-409. doi: 10.1016/j.jspd.2018.09.004.
Tisherman, R., Vaudreuil, N., Ramanathan, R., Hartman, R., Lee, J., & Bell, K. (2019). Biomechanical contributions of upper cervical ligamentous structures in Type II odontoid fractures. JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS, 83, 28-33.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2018.11.014.
Vaudreuil, N., Xue, J., Bell, K., & Dede, O. (2019). Biomechanical analysis of pedicle screw density in posterior spine instrumentation. CURRENT ORTHOPAEDIC PRACTICE, 30(4), 312-317.Wolters Kluwer. doi: 10.1097/BCO.0000000000000778.
Bell, K.M., Oh, A., Cook, H.A., Yan, Y., & Lee, J.Y. (2018). Adaptation of a clinical fixation device for biomechanical testing of the lumbar spine. JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS, 69, 164-168.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2017.12.029.
Bell, K.M., Rahnemai-Azar, A.A., Irarrazaval, S., Guenther, D., Fu, F.H., Musahl, V., & Debski, R.E. (2018). In situ force in the anterior cruciate ligament, the lateral collateral ligament, and the anterolateral capsule complex during a simulated pivot shift test. JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, 36(3), 847-853.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/jor.23676.
Bell, K.M., Yan, Y., Hartman, R.A., & Lee, J.Y. (2018). Influence of follower load application on moment-rotation parameters and intradiscal pressure in the cervical spine. JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS, 76, 167-172.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2018.05.031.
Vaudreuil, N., Xue, J., Ramanathan, R., Tisherman, R., Dombrowski, M., Wang, W.J., & Bell, K. (2018). Novel use of telescoping growth rods in treatment of early onset scoliosis: An in vivo and in vitro study in a porcine model. JOR SPINE, 1(4), e1035.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/jsp2.1035.
Guenther, D., Irarrazaval, S., Bell, K.M., Rahnemai-Azar, A.A., Fu, F.H., Debski, R.E., & Musahl, V. (2017). The Role of Extra-Articular Tenodesis in Combined ACL and Anterolateral Capsular Injury. JOURNAL OF BONE AND JOINT SURGERY-AMERICAN VOLUME, 99(19), 1654-1660.Wolters Kluwer. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.16.01462.
Guenther, D., Rahnemai-Azar, A.A., Bell, K.M., Irarrazaval, S., Fu, F.H., Musahl, V., & Debski, R.E. (2017). The Anterolateral Capsule of the Knee Behaves Like a Sheet of Fibrous Tissue. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE, 45(4), 849-855.SAGE Publications. doi: 10.1177/0363546516674477.
Rahnemai-Azar, A.A., Arilla, F.V., Bell, K.M., Fu, F.H., Musahl, V., & Debski, R.E. (2017). Biomechanical evaluation of knee endpoint during anterior tibial loading: Implication for physical exams. KNEE, 24(2), 258-263.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.knee.2016.11.015.
Russo, F., Hartman, R.A., Bell, K.M., Nam, V., Sowa, G.A., Kang, J.D., Vadala, G., & Denaro, V. (2017). Biomechanical Evaluation of Transpedicular Nucleotomy With Intact Annulus Fibrosus. SPINE, 42(4), E193-E201.Wolters Kluwer. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000001762.
Yan, Y., Bell, K.M., Hartman, R.A., Hu, J., Wang, W., Kang, J.D., & Lee, J.Y. (2017). In vitro evaluation of translating and rotating plates using a robot testing system under follower load. EUROPEAN SPINE JOURNAL, 26(1), 189-199.Springer Nature. doi: 10.1007/s00586-015-4203-8.
Arilla, F.V., Yeung, M., Bell, K., Rahnemai-Azar, A.A., Rothrauff, B.B., Fu, F.H., Debski, R.E., Ayeni, O.R., & Musahl, V. (2016). Regarding "Experimental Execution of the Simulated Pivot-Shift Test: A Systematic Review of Techniques" Reply. ARTHROSCOPY-THE JOURNAL OF ARTHROSCOPIC AND RELATED SURGERY, 32(5), 730-731.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.arthro.2016.02.015.
Bell, K.M., Yan, Y., Debski, R.E., Sowa, G.A., Kang, J.D., & Tashman, S. (2016). Influence of varying compressive loading methods on physiologic motion patterns in the cervical spine. JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS, 49(2), 167-172.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2015.11.045.
Hartman, R.A., Tisherman, R.E., Wang, C., Bell, K.M., Lee, J.Y., Sowa, G.A., & Kang, J.D. (2016). Mechanical role of the posterior column components in the cervical spine. EUROPEAN SPINE JOURNAL, 25(7), 2129-2138.Springer Nature. doi: 10.1007/s00586-016-4541-1.
Russo, F., Hartman, R.A., Bell, K.M., Vo, N., Sowa, G.A., Kang, J.D., VadalĂ , G., & Denaro, V. (2016). Biomechanical Evaluation of Transpedicular Nucleotomy with Intact Annulus Fibrosus. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000001762.
Arilla, F.V., Yeung, M., Bell, K., Rahnemai-Azar, A.A., Rothrauff, B.B., Fu, F.H., Debski, R.E., Ayeni, O.R., & Musahl, V. (2015). Experimental Execution of the Simulated Pivot-Shift Test: A Systematic Review of Techniques. ARTHROSCOPY-THE JOURNAL OF ARTHROSCOPIC AND RELATED SURGERY, 31(12), 2445-U403.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.arthro.2015.06.027.
Bell, K.M., Arilla, F.V., Rahnemai-Azar, A.A., Fu, F.H., Musahl, V., & Debski, R.E. (2015). Novel technique for evaluation of knee function continuously through the range of flexion. JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS, 48(13), 3728-3731.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2015.08.019.
Hartman, R.A., Bell, K.M., Quan, B., Yao, N., Sowa, G.A., & Kang, J.D. (2015). Needle Puncture in Rabbit Functional Spinal Units Alters Rotational Biomechanics. JOURNAL OF SPINAL DISORDERS & TECHNIQUES, 28(3), E146-E153.Wolters Kluwer. doi: 10.1097/bsd.0000000000000196.
Wang, C., Bell, K., McClincy, M., Jacobs, L., Dede, O., Roach, J., & Bosch, P. (2015). Biomechanical Comparison of Ponte Osteotomy and Discectomy. SPINE, 40(3), E141-E145.Wolters Kluwer. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000000697.
Bell, K.M., Hartman, R.A., Gilbertson, L.G., & Kang, J.D. (2013). In vitro spine testing using a robot-based testing system: Comparison of displacement control and "hybrid control". JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS, 46(10), 1663-1669.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2013.04.007.
Leckie, S.K., Sowa, G.A., Bechara, B.P., Hartman, R.A., Coelho, J.P., Witt, W.T., Dong, Q.D., Bowman, B.W., Bell, K.M., Vo, N.V., Kramer, B.C., & Kang, J.D. (2013). Injection of human umbilical tissue-derived cells into the nucleus pulposus alters the course of intervertebral disc degeneration in vivo. SPINE JOURNAL, 13(3), 263-272.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2012.12.004.
Smolinski, P., O'Farrell, M., Bell, K., Gilbertson, L., & Fu, F.H. (2013). Effect of ACL reconstruction tunnels on stress in the distal femur. KNEE SURGERY SPORTS TRAUMATOLOGY ARTHROSCOPY, 21(4), 839-845.Wiley. doi: 10.1007/s00167-012-2003-9.
Bechara, B.P., Bell, K.M., Hartman, R.A., Lee, J.Y., Kang, J.D., & Donaldson, W.F. (2012). In Vivo Analysis of Cervical Range of Motion After 4-and 5-level Subaxial Cervical Spine Fusion. SPINE, 37(1), E23-E29.Wolters Kluwer. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e31821c3275.
Hartman, R.A., Bell, K.M., Debski, R.E., Kang, J.D., & Sowa, G.A. (2012). Novel ex-vivo mechanobiological intervertebral disc culture system. JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS, 45(2), 382-385.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2011.10.036.
Leckie, S.K., Bechara, B.P., Hartman, R.A., Sowa, G.A., Woods, B.I., Coelho, J.P., Witt, W.T., Dong, Q.D., Bowman, B.W., Bell, K.M., Vo, N.V., Wang, B., & Kang, J.D. (2012). Injection of AAV2-BMP2 and AAV2-TIMP1 into the nucleus pulposus slows the course of intervertebral disc degeneration in an in vivo rabbit model. SPINE JOURNAL, 12(1), 7-20.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2011.09.011.
Bell, K.M., Bechara, B.P., Hartman, R.A., Shively, C., Frazier, E.C., Lee, J.Y., Kang, J.D., & Donaldson, W.F. (2011). Influence of Number of Operated Levels and Postoperative Time on Active Range of Motion Following Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion Procedures. SPINE, 36(4), 263-268.Wolters Kluwer. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181ccc552.
Sowa, G.A., Coelho, J.P., Bell, K.M., Zorn, A.S., Vo, N.V., Smolinski, P., Niyonkuru, C., Hartman, R., Studer, R.K., & Kang, J.D. (2011). Alterations in gene expression in response to compression of nucleus pulposus cells. SPINE JOURNAL, 11(1), 36-43.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2010.09.019.
Agosti, C.D., Bell, K.M., Plazek, D.J., Larson, J., Kang, J.D., Gilbertson, L.G., & Smolinski, P. (2010). Analysis of power law models for the creep of nucleus pulposus tissue. BIORHEOLOGY, 47(2), 143-151.SAGE Publications. doi: 10.3233/BIR-2010-0564.
Bell, K.M., Frazier, E.C., Shively, C.M., Hartman, R.A., Ulibarri, J.C., Lee, J.Y., Kang, J.D., & Donaldson, W.F.I.I.I. (2009). Assessing range of motion to evaluate the adverse effects of ill-fitting cervical orthoses. SPINE JOURNAL, 9(3), 225-231.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2008.03.010.
Tsai, A.G., Musahl, V., Steckel, H., Bell, K.M., Zantop, T., Irrgang, J.J., & Fu, F.H. (2008). Rotational knee laxity: Reliability of a simple measurement device in vivo. BMC MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS, 9(1), 35.Springer Nature. doi: 10.1186/1471-2474-9-35.
Zantop, T., Ferretti, M., Bell, K.M., Brucker, P.U., Gilbertson, L., & Fu, F.H. (2008). Effect of Tunnel-Graft Length on the Biomechanics of Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Reconstructed Knees Intra-articular Study in a Goat Model. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE, 36(11), 2158-2166.SAGE Publications. doi: 10.1177/0363546508320572.
Musahl, V., Bell, K.M., Tsai, A.G., Costic, R.S., Allaire, R., Zantop, T., Irrgang, J.J., & Fu, F.H. (2007). Development of a simple device for measurement of rotational knee laxity. KNEE SURGERY SPORTS TRAUMATOLOGY ARTHROSCOPY, 15(8), 1009-1012.Wiley. doi: 10.1007/s00167-007-0317-9.