about

(2021) Elected President-Elect of the American Society of Biomechanics.

(2012) Elected Program Chair of the American Society of Biomechanics 2013 meeting.

(2005) Robert O. Agbede Award for Diversity School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh..

(2003) National Science Foundation Travel Award ($400) Travel award to attend the NSF-sponsored Faculty Career Development Workshop given by Tim Anderson (University of Florida) and Geoff Prentice (NSF) at the University of Maine-Orono..

(2003) Hewlett International Small Grant Award ($2,471) University Center for International Studies (UCIS), University of Pittsburgh. Travel award to present research at the International Society for Postural and Gait Research (ISPGR) held in Sydney, Australia..

(1998) Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award (as a graduate student).

PhD, Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 1997 - 2000

M.Sc., Physics, McGill University, 1993 - 1995

B.Sc., Physics, McGill University, 1990 - 1993

Brach, J.S., Perera, S., Shuman, V., Gil, A.B., Kriska, A., Nadkarni, N.K., Rockette-Wagner, B., Cham, R., & VanSwearingen, J.M. (2022). Effect of Timing and Coordination Training on Mobility and Physical Activity Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA NETWORK OPEN, 5(5), e2212921.American Medical Association (AMA). doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.12921.

Ma, C.Z.H., Bao, T., DiCesare, C.A., Harris, I., Chambers, A., Shull, P.B., Zheng, Y.P., Cham, R., & Sienko, K.H. (2022). Reducing Slip Risk: A Feasibility Study of Gait Training with Semi-Real-Time Feedback of Foot-Floor Contact Angle. SENSORS, 22(10), 3641.MDPI AG. doi: 10.3390/s22103641.

Cham, R., Iverson, J.M., Bailes, A.H., Jennings, J.R., Eack, S.M., & Redfern, M.S. (2021). Attention and sensory integration for postural control in young adults with autism spectrum disorders. EXPERIMENTAL BRAIN RESEARCH, 239(5), 1417-1426.Springer Science and Business Media LLC. doi: 10.1007/s00221-021-06058-z.

O'Connell, C., Redfern, M., Chan, K.C., Wollstein, G., Conner, I.P., & Cham, R. (2021). Sensory integration abilities for balance in glaucoma, a preliminary study. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, 11(1), 19691.Springer Science and Business Media LLC. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-98518-3.

Beschorner, K.E., Iraqi, A., Redfern, M.S., Moyer, B.E., & Cham, R. (2020). Influence of averaging time-interval on shoe-floor-contaminant available coefficient of friction measurements. APPLIED ERGONOMICS, 82, 102959.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2019.102959.

Brach, J.S., VanSwearingen, J.M., Gil, A., Nadkarni, N.K., Kriska, A., Cham, R., & Perera, S. (2020). Program to improve mobility in aging (PRIMA) study: Methods and rationale of a task-oriented motor learning exercise program. CONTEMPORARY CLINICAL TRIALS, 89, 105912.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2019.105912.

Merrill, Z., Chambers, A., & Cham, R. (2020). Development and validation of body fat prediction models in American adults. Obes Sci Pract, 6(2), 189-195.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/osp4.392.

Merrill, Z., Woolley, C., & Cham, R. (2020). Impact of the seated height to stature ratio on torso segment parameters. ERGONOMICS, 63(11), 1425-1433.Informa UK Limited. doi: 10.1080/00140139.2020.1792560.

Beschorner, K.E., Iraqi, A., Redfern, M.S., Cham, R., & Li, Y. (2019). Predicting slips based on the STM 603 whole-footwear tribometer under different coefficient of friction testing conditions. ERGONOMICS, 62(5), 668-681.Informa UK Limited. doi: 10.1080/00140139.2019.1567828.

Merrill, Z., Perera, S., & Cham, R. (2019). Predictive regression modeling of body segment parameters using individual-based anthropometric measurements. JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS, 96, 109349.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2019.109349.

Merrill, Z., Perera, S., Chambers, A., & Cham, R. (2019). Age and body mass index associations with body segment parameters. JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS, 88, 38-47.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2019.03.016.

Trivedi, V., Bang, J.W., Parra, C., Colbert, M.K., O'Connell, C., Arshad, A., Faiq, M.A., Conner, I.P., Redfern, M.S., Wollstein, G., Schuman, J.S., Cham, R., & Chan, K.C. (2019). Widespread brain reorganization perturbs visuomotor coordination in early glaucoma. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, 9(1), 14168.Springer Science and Business Media LLC. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-50793-x.

Iraqi, A., Cham, R., Redfern, M.S., & Beschorner, K.E. (2018). Coefficient of friction testing parameters influence the prediction of human slips. APPLIED ERGONOMICS, 70, 118-126.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2018.02.017.

Iraqi, A., Cham, R., Redfern, M.S., Vidic, N.S., & Beschorner, K.E. (2018). Kinematics and kinetics of the shoe during human slips. JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS, 74, 57-63.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2018.04.018.

Merrill, Z., Bova, G., Chambers, A., & Cham, R. (2018). Effect of Trunk Segment Boundary Definitions on Frontal Plane Segment Inertial Calculations. JOURNAL OF APPLIED BIOMECHANICS, 34(3), 232-235.Human Kinetics. doi: 10.1123/jab.2016-0319.

Merrill, Z., Chambers, A.J., & Cham, R. (2017). Arm reactions in response to an unexpected slip-Impact of aging. JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS, 58, 21-26.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2017.04.011.

O'Connell, C., Mahboobin, A., Drexler, S., Redfern, M.S., Perera, S., Nau, A.C., & Cham, R. (2017). Effects of acute peripheral/central visual field loss on standing balance. EXPERIMENTAL BRAIN RESEARCH, 235(11), 3261-3270.Springer Science and Business Media LLC. doi: 10.1007/s00221-017-5045-x.

O'Connell, C., Chambers, A., Mahboobin, A., & Cham, R. (2016). Effects of slip severity on muscle activation of the trailing leg during an unexpected slip. JOURNAL OF ELECTROMYOGRAPHY AND KINESIOLOGY, 28, 61-66.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2016.02.007.

O'Connell, C., Ho, L.C., Murphy, M.C., Conner, I.P., Wollstein, G., Cham, R., & Chan, K.C. (2016). Structural and functional correlates of visual field asymmetry in the human brain by diffusion kurtosis MRI and functional MRI. NEUROREPORT, 27(16), 1225-1231.Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). doi: 10.1097/WNR.0000000000000682.

Chambers, A.J., Parise, E., Mccrory, J.L., & Cham, R. (2014). A comparison of prediction equations for the estimation of body fat percentage in non-obese and obese older Caucasian adults in the United States. JOURNAL OF NUTRITION HEALTH & AGING, 18(6), 586-590.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1007/s12603-014-0017-3.

Sukits, A.L., Nebes, R.D., Chambers, A.J., Ledgerwood, A., Halligan, E.M., Perera, S., & Cham, R. (2014). Intra- individual variability in gait and in cognitive performance are not related in the elderly. AGING NEUROPSYCHOLOGY AND COGNITION, 21(3), 283-295.Informa UK Limited. doi: 10.1080/13825585.2013.802760.

Beschorner, K.E., Redfern, M.S., & Cham, R. (2013). Earliest Gait Deviations During Slips: Implications For Recovery. IIE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors, 1(1), 31-37.Informa UK Limited. doi: 10.1080/21577323.2012.660904.

Kong, P.W., Suyama, J., Cham, R., & Hostler, D. (2012). The Relationship Between Physical Activity and Thermal Protective Clothing on Functional Balance in Firefighters. RESEARCH QUARTERLY FOR EXERCISE AND SPORT, 83(4), 546-552.Informa UK Limited. doi: 10.1080/02701367.2012.10599144.

Kong, P.W., Suyama, J., Hostler, D., & Cham, R. (2012). The relationship between physical activity and thermal protective clothing on functional balance in firefighters. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 83(4), 546-552. doi: 10.1080/02701367.2012.10599144.

Brach, J.S., McGurl, D., Wert, D., VanSwearingen, J.M., Perera, S., Cham, R., & Studenski, S. (2011). Validation of a Measure of Smoothness of Walking. JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES A-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND MEDICAL SCIENCES, 66(1), 136-141.Oxford University Press (OUP). doi: 10.1093/gerona/glq170.

Cham, R., Perera, S., Studenski, S.A., & Bohnen, N.I. (2011). Age-Related Striatal Dopaminergic Denervation and Severity of a Slip Perturbation. JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES A-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND MEDICAL SCIENCES, 66(9), 980-985.Oxford University Press (OUP). doi: 10.1093/gerona/glr060.

Chambers, A.J., Sukits, A.L., McCrory, J.L., & Cham, R. (2011). Differences in Geriatric Anthropometric Data Between DXA-Based Subject-Specific Estimates and Non-Age-Specific Traditional Regression Models. JOURNAL OF APPLIED BIOMECHANICS, 27(3), 197-206.Human Kinetics. doi: 10.1123/jab.27.3.197.

Chambers, A.J., Sukits, A.L., McCrory, J.L., & Cham, R. (2010). The effect of obesity and gender on body segment parameters in older adults. CLINICAL BIOMECHANICS, 25(2), 131-136.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2009.10.015.

Mahboobin, A., Cham, R., & Piazza, S.J. (2010). The impact of a systematic reduction in shoe-floor friction on heel contact walking kinematics-A gait simulation approach. JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS, 43(8), 1532-1539.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2010.01.040.

Bohnen, N.I., Muller, M.L.T.M., Kuwabara, H., Cham, R., Constantine, G.M., & Studenski, S.A. (2009). Age-associated striatal dopaminergic denervation and falls in community-dwelling subjects. JOURNAL OF REHABILITATION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, 46(8), 1045-1052.Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development. doi: 10.1682/JRRD.2009.03.0030.

Kong, P.W., Hostler, D., Suyama, J., & Cham, R. (2009). Effect of wearing thermal protective clothing on functional balance in male firefighters. Medicine & Science in Sport and Exercise, 41(5), 547.

Moyer, B.E., Redfern, M.S., & Cham, R. (2009). Biomechanics of trailing leg response to slipping - Evidence of interlimb and intralimb coordination. GAIT & POSTURE, 29(4), 565-570.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2008.12.012.

VanSwearingen, J.M., Perera, S., Brach, J.S., Cham, R., Rosano, C., & Studenski, S.A. (2009). A Randomized Trial of Two Forms of Therapeutic Activity to Improve Walking: Effect on the Energy Cost of Walking. JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES A-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND MEDICAL SCIENCES, 64(11), 1190-1198.Oxford University Press (OUP). doi: 10.1093/gerona/glp098.

Wyszomierski, S.A., Chambers, A.J., & Cham, R. (2009). Knee Strength Capabilities and Slip Severity. JOURNAL OF APPLIED BIOMECHANICS, 25(2), 140-148.Human Kinetics. doi: 10.1123/jab.25.2.140.

Beschorner, K., & Cham, R. (2008). Impact of joint torques on heel acceleration at heel contact, a contributor to slips and falls. ERGONOMICS, 51(12), 1799-1813.Informa UK Limited. doi: 10.1080/00140130802136479.

Cham, R., Studenski, S.A., Perera, S., & Bohnen, N.I. (2008). Striatal dopaminergic denervation and gait in healthy adults. EXPERIMENTAL BRAIN RESEARCH, 185(3), 391-398.Springer Science and Business Media LLC. doi: 10.1007/s00221-007-1161-3.

Baker, N.A., Cham, R., Cidboy, E.H., Cook, J., & Redfern, M.S. (2007). Kinematics of the fingers and hands during computer keyboard use. CLINICAL BIOMECHANICS, 22(1), 34-43.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2006.08.008.

Baker, N.A., Cham, R., Hale, E., Cook, J., & Redfern, M.S. (2007). Digit kinematics during typing with standard and ergonomic keyboard configurations. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL ERGONOMICS, 37(4), 345-355.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.ergon.2006.12.004.

Cham, R., Perera, S., Studenski, S.A., & Bohnen, N.I. (2007). Striatal dopamine denervation and sensory integration for balance in middle-aged and older adults. GAIT & POSTURE, 26(4), 516-525.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2006.11.204.

Chambers, A.J., & Cham, R. (2007). Slip-related muscle activation patterns in the stance leg during walking. GAIT & POSTURE, 25(4), 565-572.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2006.06.007.

Cook, J.R., Baker, N.A., Cham, R., Hale, E., & Redfern, M.S. (2007). Measurements of wrist and finger postures: A comparison of goniometric and motion capture techniques. JOURNAL OF APPLIED BIOMECHANICS, 23(1), 70-78.Human Kinetics. doi: 10.1123/jab.23.1.70.

Bohnen, N.I., & Cham, R. (2006). Postural control, gait, and dopamine functions in parkinsonian movement disorders. CLINICS IN GERIATRIC MEDICINE, 22(4), 797-+.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.cger.2006.06.009.

Koontz, A.M., McCrory, J.L., Cham, R., Yang, Y., & Wilkinson, M. (2006). Rehabilitation Biomechanics. In Wiley Encyclopedia of Biomedical Engineering, Akay, M. (Ed.). John Wiley and Sons Inc.

Moyer, B.E., Chambers, A.J., Redfern, M.S., & Cham, R. (2006). Gait parameters as predictors of slip severity in younger and older adults. ERGONOMICS, 49(4), 329-343.Informa UK Limited. doi: 10.1080/00140130500478553.

Cham, R., & Redfern, M.S. (2004). Gait adaptations during load carrying on level and inclined surfaces. Occupational Ergonomics, 4(1), 11-26.

Cham, R., & Redfern, M.S. (2002). Changes in gait when anticipating slippery floors. GAIT & POSTURE, 15(2), 159-171.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/S0966-6362(01)00150-3.

Cham, R., & Redfern, M.S. (2002). Heel contact dynamics during slip events on level and inclined surfaces. SAFETY SCIENCE, 40(7-8), 559-576.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/S0925-7535(01)00059-5.

Cham, R., & Redfern, M.S. (2002). Heel contact dynamics during slip events on level and inclined surfaces. Safety Science, 40(7-8), 559-76.

Cham, R., Moyer, B., & Redfern, M.S. (2002). Biomécanique du sport, du mouvement et de la locomotion / Sport, Motion and Locomotion Biomechanics. Archives of Physiology and Biochemistry, 110(1), 21-26.Informa UK Limited. doi: 10.1076/apab.110.5.5.21.19872.

Chambers, A.J., Margerum, S., Redfern, M.S., & Cham, R. (2002). Kinematics of the foot during slips. Occupational Ergonomics, 3(4), 225-234.

Cham, R., & Redfern, M.S. (2001). Effect of flooring on standing comfort and fatigue. HUMAN FACTORS, 43(3), 381-391.SAGE Publications. doi: 10.1518/001872001775898205.

Cham, R., & Redfern, M.S. (2001). Lower extremity corrective reactions to slip events. JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS, 34(11), 1439-1445.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/S0021-9290(01)00116-6.

Cham, R., & Redfern, M.S. (2001). Load carrying and corrective responses to slip events. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 962-966.

Redfern, M.S., Cham, R., Gielo-Perczak, K., Grönqvist, R., Hirvonen, M., Lanshammar, H., Marpet, M., Pai, C.Y.C., & Powers, C. (2001). Biomechanics of slips. ERGONOMICS, 44(13), 1138-1166.Informa UK Limited. doi: 10.1080/00140130110085547.

Redfern, M.S., & Cham, R. (2000). The influence of flooring on standing comfort and fatigue. AIHAJ, 61(5), 700-708.Informa UK Limited. doi: 10.1080/15298660008984580.

Bick, N.A., Redfern, M., Conner, I.P., Wollstein, G., Chan, K., & Cham, R. (2021). Step-to-step gait symmetry in glaucoma. In INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, 62(8).

Cham, R., Redfern, M.S., O'Connell, C., Conner, I.P., Wollstein, G., & Chan, K.C. (2020). Sensory Integration Abilities for Balance in Glaucoma. In INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, 61(7).

Bang, J.W., Trivedi, V., Parra, C., Colbert, M., O'Connel, C., Faiq, M.A., Conner, I., Redfern, M., Wollstein, G., Schuman, J.S., Cham, R., & Chan, K.C. (2019). Widespread Structural and Functional Brain Connectivity Changes and Associations with Balance in Glaucoma. In INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, 60(9).

Cham, R., O'Connell, C., Redfern, M., Conner, I., Wollstein, G., & Chan, K.C. (2018). Balance and brain connectivity in glaucoma. In INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, 59(9).

Merrill, Z., Perera, S., & Cham, R. (2018). Torso Segment Parameter Prediction in Working Adults. In Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 62(1), (pp. 1257-1261).SAGE Publications. doi: 10.1177/1541931218621289.

Sundaram, V., Iraqi, A., Cham, R., Nasarwanji, M., Pollard, J.P., & Beschorner, K.E. (2018). The effects of gender, age, weight, and height on biomechanical properties related to slipping. In 73rd Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers Annual Meeting and Exhibition 2018, (pp. 27-31).

Merrill, Z., Chambers, A., & Cham, R. (2017). Impact of Age and Body Mass Index on Anthropometry in Working Adults. In Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 61(1), (pp. 1341-1345).SAGE Publications. doi: 10.1177/1541931213601818.

Huang, W.W., VanSwearingen, J.M., Perera, S., Cham, R., & Studenski, S.A. (2011). Effect of multi-tasking on gait: how do older adults with mobility limitations respond to the challenge?. In JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, 59, (p. S110).

Mahboobin, A., Cham, R., & Piazza, S.J. (2011). Improved Simulation of Heel Contact During Normal Walking. In ASME 2011 Summer Bioengineering Conference, Parts A and B, (PARTS A AND B), (pp. 273-274).American Society of Mechanical Engineers. doi: 10.1115/sbc2011-53453.

Sukits, A.L., Chambers, A.J., Perera, S., & Cham, R. (2011). Developing Population-Specific Predictive Regression Equations for Body Segment Parameters. In ASME 2011 Summer Bioengineering Conference, Parts A and B, (PARTS A AND B), (pp. 973-974).American Society of Mechanical Engineers. doi: 10.1115/sbc2011-53597.

Brach, J.S., VanSwearingen, J.M., Wert, D., Perera, S., Cham, R., & Studenski, S. (2010). The Impact of Fear and Confidence on Smoothness of Walking. In JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, 58, (p. 129).

Brach, J.S., McGurl, D., Wert, D., VanSwearingen, J.M., Perera, S., Cham, R., & Studenski, S.A. (2009). Validation of a Measure of Smoothness of Walking. In JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, 57, (p. S17).

Shiratori, T., Coley, B., Cham, R., & Hodgins, J.K. (2009). Simulating balance recovery responses to trips based on biomechanical principles. In Proceedings of the 2009 ACM SIGGRAPH/Eurographics Symposium on Computer Animation, (pp. 38-46).ACM. doi: 10.1145/1599470.1599475.

Cham, R., & Sandrian, P.N. (2007). Arm movements and slip severity. In Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 2, (pp. 904-908).

Cham, R., Lenze, E., Studenski, S., Perera, S., & VanSwearingen, J. (2005). Fear of falling: Psychological and gait constructs. In GERONTOLOGIST, 45, (pp. 523-524).

Cham, R., & Moyer, B. (2002). Introducing ADAMS, a mechanical system simulation software, to bioengineering students. In ASEE Annual Conference Proceedings, (pp. 11627-11640).

Cham, R., Musolino, M., & Redfern, M.S. (2000). Heel Contact Dynamics during Slip Events. In Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 44(28), (pp. 514-517).SAGE Publications. doi: 10.1177/154193120004402826.

Research interests

balance
body segment parameters
gait
older adult
sensorimotor control of balance and...
slips, trips, and falls