Brian Kelly, PhD

Assistant Professor
Spine Biomechanics

Kelly Laboratory

Dr. Kelly’s expertise is in the area of musculoskeletal biomechanics with focus on the mechanical behaviors of the human spinal column. His laboratory works closely with clinical neurosurgeons in the Department of Neurosurgery as well as neurosurgical residents, fellows, and research staff to better understand how disease, trauma, and surgical interventions affect the normal forces, movements, and stability of the human spine.

Dr. Kelly’s interests include the development and application of custom robotic testing systems that significantly improve the simulation of complex motion and loading patterns experienced by spinal joints during activities of daily living.

Dr. Kelly received his BS in mechanical engineering in 1987 and his MS in mechanical engineering in 1992 from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. After working as a research engineer, he returned to his graduate studies and completed his PhD in biomedical engineering from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in 2005.