Martin Tanaka

Professor Western Carolina University

  • Cullowhee NC

Martin Tanaka's research interests include biomedical devices, computational modeling and neuromuscular control.

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Biography

As a faculty member at WCU, Martin Tanaka spends his time teaching mechanical engineering courses, conducting research, and serving the university and the community. He usually has a few graduate students and some students doing undergraduate research. Dr. Tanaka's research interests include developing innovative biomedical devices, computational modeling, neuromuscular control, and industry-academic partnerships. Most of his research projects have design, build, test, and optimization components stemming from my experience designing products in industry. He is a licensed professional engineer and enjoys working with students and local companies on their projects. Put simply, he applies mechanical engineering principles to solve biomedical problems. Being a veteran, he also has a special interest in his projects to assist the U.S. Armed Forces.

Professionally, he serves the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in a variety of leadership roles. After 26 years of membership, he was honored as an ASME fellow. Dr. Tanaka's degrees are in mechanical engineering (NCSU), engineering mechanics (VT) and I earned a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Virginia Tech and Wake Forest University.

Areas of Expertise

Design For Manufacturing
Computational Modeling
Material Properties and Behavior
Innovation in Engineering Design
Product Design and Development
Innovative Biomedical Devices
Neuromuscular Control
Industry-Academic Partnerships

Accomplishments

Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers

2016

Winning Team – Faculty Entrepreneurship Boot Camp at UNC Chapel Hill

2015

Board of Governors Distinguished Teaching Award

2014-2015

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Education

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Ph.D.

Biomedical/Medical Engineering

2008

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

M.S.

Engineering Mechanics

1993

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

B.S.

Mechanical Engineering

1992

Affiliations

  • The American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Media Appearances

Engineering professor named as resident scholar for NSF funded research with FDA

WCU Stories  online

2022-03-02

“I am excited about the opportunity to work at the FDA. I think my experience with mathematical modeling, computer simulations, and my time designing commercial products in industry will add an additional perspective,” said Tanaka. “Beyond advancing science, I’ll use what I learn at the FDA to enhance my teaching and provide undergraduate research opportunities for students at WCU.”

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Engineering students collaborate to design and build a solar tracking array

WCU Stories  online

2022-02-04

The device earned top marks in the junior design class taught by mechanical engineering professor Martin Tanaka, who spent 11 years designing commercial products in the private sector.

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Articles

Quantifying the Accuracy of a Motion Detecting Neural Prosthesis

ASME 2020 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition

2020

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A Thesis Development Course for Engineering Graduate Students

Journal of Biomechanical Engineering

2020

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Design of a Novel Head Support for People With Hypermobile-Type Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome

Journal of Engineering and Science in Medical Diagnostics and Therapy

2020

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