Dr Gary Dennis
BExSc(Hons), PhD
- Lecturer in Biomechanics
Contact details
Rm 215
Phone: (+61) 7 3365 3401
Fax: (+61) 7 3365 6877
E-mail: gdennis@hms.uq.edu.au
Background
Dr Gary Dennis is a lecturer within the School of Human Movement Studies, teaching primarily in the fields of biomechanics and ergonomics. Dr Dennis has taught and convened the Biomechanics and Biomaterials program since 2003, and currently is convening both the Biophysical Foundations of Human Movement and Advanced Ergonomic Tools courses, and continues to teach into the Graduate Certificate of Sports Coaching at the AIS.
After studying engineering at UNSW (Bachelor of Chemical Engineering) Dr Dennis directed his engineering skills on the human system at Griffith University (Bachelor of Exercise Science with 1 st Class Honours) where he completed a PhD in spinal biomechanics. Prior to his appointment at The University of Queensland, Dr Dennis taught Biomechanics I & II, Bioinstrumentation and Biophysics at Griffith University since 1998. Dr Dennis also owned and operated an exercise consultancy business (FIT4U), in collaboration with Rebel Sport Inc. from 1997-2000, and continues to provide consultancy services to industry in the areas of biomechanics and ergonomics.
Research Interests
After completing his PhD Dr Dennis has continued research into spinal mechanics. In particular, he has developed a spinal model that predicts spinal loading during manual tasks, which can then be utilised as a quantifiable risk management tool to reduce occupational injuries to the lower back. Currently, Dr Dennis's primary research area involves the application of biomechanical principles to ergonomic issues in the workforce, particularly in the coal mining industry. He also works with national sporting organisations to improve performance and minimise injury risks.
Selected Publications
Recent publications can be viewed through UQreSEARCHers.
Dennis, G.J. and Barrett, R.S. (2003). Spinal loads during two-person team lifting: effect of load mass distribution. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 32(5), 349-358.
Dennis, G.J. and Barrett, R.S. (2003). Spinal loads during two-person team lifting: effect of matched versus unmatched standing height. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 32(1), 25-38.
Dennis, G.J. and Barrett, R.S. (2003). Spinal loads in team lifting. Proceedings of the 39th Annual Conference of the Ergonomics Society of Australia , Brisbane: Australia, pp. 94-99.
Dennis, G.J. and Barrett, R.S. (2002). Spinal loads during individual and team lifting. Ergonomics, 45(10), 671-681.
Dennis, G.J. and Barrett, R.S. (2000). Ergowatch: a new manual handling management tool. Ergonomics Australia, 14(1), 17-27.
Dennis, G.J. and Barrett, R.S. (2001).Lumbar spinal load in team versus individual lifting. Proceedings of the 18 th Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics, Zurich: Switzerland, pp. 236.
Dennis, G.J. and Barrett, R.S. (2000). Lumbar spinal loads in a tyre-lifting task: An application of Ergowatch. Proceedings of the 3 rd Australasian Biomechanics Conference, Gold Coast: Australia, pp. 21-22.
Dennis, G.J. and Barrett, R.S. (2000). Recent developments in applied spinal modeling. Proceedings of the 5th Biennial Motor Control & Human Skill Research Workshop, Gold Coast: Australia, pp. 55.