Jason Fice
Neck muscle activation in automotive collisions
Dr. Jean-Sebastien Blouin & Dr. Gunter Siegmund
Courtice
Canada
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?
Research excites me! The problems to solve are unique and challenging, plus you get to guide your efforts to fields of personal interest.
Why did you decide to study at UBC?
My supervisors are internationally renowned injury biomechanics researchers with a depth of knowledge of human neck muscle activity and interactions during automotive collisions. On top of that, I knew from previous visits that UBC is a vibrant campus in a beautiful part of Canada.
What was the best surprise about UBC or life in Vancouver?
Before moving to Vancouver I was excited about the prospect of hiking in the mountains and snowboarding at Whistler, and despite my high expectations I was still surprised with how much I love the outdoor lifestyle at your fingertips here.
What do you hope to accomplish with your research?
I plan to quantitatively explore if neck muscles play a significant role in head motion during automotive collisions. This information will guide the development of active musculature for computational neck models and provide validation to improve these models. With the trend of using computational models of humans in the design of automotive safety systems, ultimately my work will help reduce neck injuries in automotive collisions.
What has winning a major award meant to you?
The acknowledgment of my work and research accomplishments has been extremely motivating and gratifying. The secure financing allows to me to stay focused on my research, and the travel allowance will allow me to stay up to date and build connections with fellow researchers at conferences.
What advice do you have for new graduate students?
Enjoy all that life has to offer and relish in the opportunities (and challenges) ahead of you.