I am the director of the OSU Engineering Laboratory for Human Factors/Ergonomics/Safety.  I am also the Director of OSU’s NIOSH-sponsored Training Project Grant in Occupational Safety and Ergonomics.

My research focus is ergonomics and occupational biomechanics, with a special interest in intervention research to reduce exposures to risk factors for musculoskeletal discomfort and disorders; application sectors include healthcare, industry, and education.  My research approach is participatory and interdisciplinary.  To learn more about my research, the courses I teach, and more please visit my webpage.

Recent publications:

Evans, K.D., Mohammad, S.H., Stigall-Weikle, A.N., Yang, Q., Sommerich, C.M., 2023. Utilizing Simulation as a Means to Teach Diagnostic Medical Sonography: A Multi-Site Discipline-Based Educational Research Project. Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography 39, 132-143.

Lavender, S.A., Charbonnet, J., Sommerich, C.M., 2023. Biomechanical assessment of alternative hand trucks for transporting heavy loads up and down stairs. Appl Ergon 110, 104010.

Seagren, K.E.; Sommerich, C.M.; Lavender, S.A. (2022). Musculoskeletal discomfort in veterinary healthcare professions. Work, doi:10.3233/WOR-205043

Mohammad, S.H., Sommerich, C.M., Butwin, A.N., Evans, K.D., 2022. Assessment of OB/Gyn Residents’ Knowledge of Basic Obstetric Sonography and Psychomotor Skills Post-training on a Computer-Based Simulator. Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography 38, 5-17.

Sommerich, C.M., 2022. Adopting a Sociotechnical Systems Perspective to Examine the Challenge of WRMSDs in Sonography. Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography 38, 1-4.

Wang, X.; Lavender, S.A.; Sommerich, C.M.; Rayo, M.F. (2022). Exploring the relationships between computer task characteristics, mental workload, and computer users' biomechanical responses. Ergonomics, 1-10. doi:10.1080/00140139.2022.2026490

Evans, K.D., Sommerich, C.M., Stigall-Weikle, A.N., Stokes, A.D., Klatt, M.D., 2021. Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Radiographers: An Exploration of Self-reported Symptoms. Radiol Technol 93, 161-176.

Amini Pay*, N., Sommerich, C.M., Lavender, S.A., 2021. Assessment of alternative methods for informal caregivers to perform patient repositioning tasks. Applied Ergonomics 93.  (* indicate student who received support through our NIOSH Training Grant)

Li, J., C. M. Sommerich, E. Chipps, S. A. Lavender and E. A. Stasny (2020). “A framework for studying risk factors for lower extremity musculoskeletal discomfort in nurses.” Ergonomics: 1-39.

Sommerich, C.M., Lavender, S.A., Evans, K.D., Sanders, E.B., Joines, S., Lamar, S., Radin Umar, R.Z., Yen, W.T., Park, S., 2020. Collaborating with radiographers to address their work-related musculoskeletal discomfort. Appl Ergon 85, 103069.

Mohammad, S.H., Evans, K.D., Bahner, D., Sommerich, C.M., 2020. An Interprofessional Approach to Targeted Sonography Training Using Computer-Based Simulation in Medical Students’ Clinical Training: A Case Series. Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography 36, 153-161.

Lavender, S.A., Sommerich, C.M., Bigelow, S., *Weston, E.B., *Seagren, K., *Amini Pay, N., *Sillars, D., Ramachandran, V., Sun, C., Xu, Y., Marras, W.S., 2020. A biomechanical evaluation of potential ergonomic solutions for use by firefighter and EMS providers when lifting heavy patients in their homes. Appl Ergon 82, 102910.  (* indicate students who received support through our NIOSH Training Grant)

Lavender, S.A., Sommerich, C.M., Sanders, E.B., Evans, K.D., Li, J., Radin Umar, R.Z., Patterson, E.S., 2020. Developing Evidence-Based Design Guidelines for Medical/Surgical Hospital Patient Rooms That Meet the Needs of Staff, Patients, and Visitors. Health Environments Research & Design Journal 13, 145-178.