Mississippi Center for Human Movement, Health and Rehabilitation
Leadership
Harish Chander, PhD
Executive and Founding Director
Dr. Harish Chander currently serves as the associate dean of research and innovation in the School of Health Related Professions at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC). Prior to UMMC, he served as associate professor of biomechanics, co-director of the Neuromechanics Laboratory in the Department of Kinesiology, for over a decade, as well as a part-time faculty member in the Office of Research and Economic Development at Mississippi State University (MSU). Additionally, he served as an affiliate researcher at MSU’s Athlete Engineering Institute and Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems. He earned his master’s and PhD degrees at the University of Mississippi in health and kinesiology, with a neuromechanics emphasis. He earned his bachelor’s degree in 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 on postural control, gait, slips, trips, falls, and fall prevention among clinical, occupational, athletic, geriatric, pediatric, and community-wide populations. Research goals include minimizing injuries, promoting safety and enhancing efficient human performance.
His multidisciplinary collaborative work has been funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF), Center for Disease Control (CDC), Department of Labor (DOL) and Department of Defense (DOD), reaching more than $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 of two patents. He is a professional member of the International Society of Posture and Gait Research, American Society of Biomechanics, American College of Sports Medicine and the Indian Association of Physiotherapists.