Dr. Jeffrey Koller: An expert in robotics, dynamics and biomechanics

Dr. Jeffrey Koller: New Faculty Profile

Dr. Jeffrey Koller is a new Mechanical Engineering Assistant Teaching Professor at Villanova University. He received his PhD and MS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan, and his BS from the University of California, Berkeley. His areas of expertise are:

• Robotics
• Dynamics
• Biomechanics

Research conducted as a graduate student:

• Used sensory data and robotics to innovate assistive prosthesis
  • Current powered prostheses and exoskeletons require doctor-patient tuning to function properly
• Focused on walking prostheses and exoskeletons and how to automate the tuning process
• Adaptive controls use metabolic cost (i.e., energy consumption measured from breathing) to tune the devices for appropriate assistance

Courses he teaches at Villanova:

• Dynamic Systems I (Dr. Koller’s favorite course to teach)
  • Focuses on the behavior of mass and motion under forces
• Dynamic Systems II
  • Focuses on vibrations and damping
• Intro to Finite Elements
  • How temperature or forces transmit through objects by analyzing the object as numerous smaller finite elements

From Industry to Academia

After earning his PhD, Dr. Koller joined Exponent, a Philadelphia firm specializing in environmental consulting, accident and failure investigation, product performance and safety, and more, as an associate. He left industry for a career in academia because he was drawn to the challenge and gratification of helping others understand new concepts. He enjoys teaching and considers it “a ton of work, but a lot of fun.” Based on his graduate research, his biomedical and control class interests, and work with hip and knee replacements, Dr. Koller would love to teach a course on modeling of biomechanics in the future.