Mandy Agnew, PhD
Professor, Health & Rehabilitation Sciences
Director, Skeletal Biology Research Lab
Director, HRS MS/PhD Programs
P-status in HRS, Biomedical Engineering, Anthropology
2066 Graves Hall
333 W. 10th Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43210
Professional Areas of Interest
- Bone biomechanics and skeletal trauma
- Skeletal biology
- Functional anatomy
- Injury biomechanics
Overview
The Skeletal Biology Research Lab (SBRL), under the direction of Dr. Mandy Agnew, investigates the human skeleton using a multidisciplinary approach. Combining anthropological analyses with engineering principles, the SBRL explores bone biomechanics, fracture risk, and assesses patterns of injury in the context of skeletal health. Researchers also explore topics in forensics and bioarchaeology. Methods of inquiry include experimental techniques, macroscopic and microscopic (histological) approaches, as well as the use of different imaging modalities.
Dr. Agnew’s interests are focused on skeletal biology, specifically the role of bone quality and its effect on fracture risk in pediatric and elderly populations. This is especially important in the injury biomechanics field for indirectly assessing vehicle safety standards through trauma research. Her advanced study of the effects of human variation on injury risk are unique to the discipline. She also has interests in functional anatomy, skeletal growth and development, and bioarchaeology of Medieval Poland. In addition, her extensive experience in gross and histological identification of skeletal features often leads to consultation in forensic cases for search and recovery, identification, and analysis of human remains, particularly for skeletal trauma.
Recent Publications
- Brzezinski ET, Hubbe M, Hunter RL, Agnew AM. 2024. Sex differences in workload in medieval Eastern Europe: Patterns of asymmetry and biomechanical adaptation in the upper limb at Giecz, Poland. American Journal of Biological Anthropology. Vol. 183(2), e24886.
- Hunter RL, Haverfield Z, Kang Y-S, Agnew AM. 2023. Potential consequences of contradictions in bone mineral density assessments in injury biomechanics. International Research Council on Biomechanics of Injury (IRCOBI). Paper IRC-23-131, 1031-1047.
- Kang Y-S, Bendig A, Stammen J, Hutter E, Moorhouse K, Bolte JH, Agnew AM. 2023. Comparison of small female PMHS thoracic responses to scaled response corridors in a frontal hub impact. Traffic Injury Prevention. Vol. 24(1), 62-68.
- Harden AL, Bolte JH, Kang Y-S, Stull K, Agnew AM. 2023. Blunt force skeletal trauma research methods: A multi-disciplinary perspective. Forensic Anthropology. Vol. 6(2), 79-91.
- Agnew AM, Murach MM, Dominguez VM, Sreedhar A, Misicka E, Harden A, Bolte JH, Stammen J, Moorhouse K, Kang Y-S. 2018. Sources of variability in structural bending response of pediatric and adult human ribs in dynamic frontal impacts. Stapp Car Crash Journal. Vol. 62, 119-192.
Recent Presentations
- Agnew AM, Arbogast K, Sunnevang C, Jermakian J, Tylko S. 2024. Invited Expert Panelist. Rear seat safety. Presented at the Automotive Safety Council annual meeting, Bonita Springs, FL, USA.
- Agnew AM, Harden A, Bolte JH, Kang Y-S. 2024. Whole body fracture patterns from blunt force trauma vary within similar experimental loading events. Proceedings of the 76th American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS). (Feb, 2024): Vol. XXX, A146, 189. Presented at the AAFS annual meeting; Denver, CO, USA.
- Agnew AM, Bolte JH, Kang Y-S. 2022. Redefining thoracic vulnerability. Presented at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Seminar: Equity in Crash Safety, Ruckersville, VA, USA.
- Agnew AM, Bolte JH, Kang Y-S. 2022. Biological contributors to variability in human thoracic injury. Invited keynote lecture in ‘High-Rate Injury Biomechanics’ session. 9th World Congress of Biomechanics, Taipei, Taiwan.
Education
- June 2011: PhD, Biological Anthropology, Human Anatomy (minor), The Ohio State University
- June 2006: MA, Biological Anthropology, The Ohio State University
- May 2004: BA, Anthropology, Biology (minor), State University of New York Potsdam