Harish Chander, PhD, MS
Associate Dean of Research & Innovation
Department:
SHR-Health Sciences Program
Email:
hchander@umc.edu
Work Phone:
(601) 984-6333
Biography
Dr. Harish Chander, currently serves as the Associate Dean of Research and Innovation and the Founding Director of the newly created Mississippi Center for Human Movement, Health and Rehabilitation (The MOVE Center) within the School of Health Related Professions at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC). Prior to UMMC, he served as the Associate Professor of Biomechanics and Co-Director of the Neuromechanics Laboratory in the Department of Kinesiology at Mississippi State University (MSU) for over a decade. Additionally, he also served as an affiliate researcher at MSU’s Athlete Engineering Institute and Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems. He earned his Masters’ and PhD at the University of Mississippi in Health and Kinesiology, with a Neuromechanics emphasis, and his Bachelors of Physical Therapy in India. His research centers on the application of principles of biomechanics and ergonomics to human performance and injury prevention, with special emphasis in postural control, gait, slips, trips, falls and fall prevention among clinical, occupational, geriatric, pediatric, athletic and daily living populations, attempting to minimize injuries, promoting safety and enhancing efficient human performance. His multidisciplinary collaborative work has been funded by National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF), Center for Disease Control (CDC), Department of Labor (DOL), and Department of Defense (DOD) accumulating over $4 million in extramural funding. As a researcher, he has published 128 peer-reviewed journal articles in the last decade and has participated in approximately 168 conference proceedings and presentations. He is the co-author of three textbooks/textbook chapters and is the co-holder 2 patents.
Education
| University of Mississippi, PhD, Neuromechanics / Kinesiology | 2014 |
| University of Mississippi, MS, Neuromechanics / Kinesiology | 2012 |
| The TN Dr. MGR Medical University, B.P.T, Physical Therapy | 2008 |
Honors, Awards, and Recognition
| L. C. Dorsey Research Honor Society, University of Mississippi Medical Center | 2025 |
| Alumni Association Graduate and Professional Teaching Excellence Award, Mississippi State University | 2024 |
| Cindy Rose Teaching Award, College of Education, Mississippi State University | 2023 |
| Graduate Advisor of the Year, Graduate School, Mississippi State University | 2021 |
| Herb Handley Research Award, College of Education, Mississippi State University | 2020 |
| Overall Third place winner of Rapid Research Race for Assistant Professors, South East American College of Sports Medicine | 2020 |
| J. Robert Blackburn Graduate Award in Exercise Science, University of Mississippi | 2014 |
| Graduate Achievement Award in Health, Exercise Science and Recreation Management, University of Mississippi | 2014 |
| Grand Prize Winner, University of Mississippi 3 Minute Thesis Competition (3MT®), University of Mississippi | 2013 |