"The College of Engineering-led Center for Innovation in Construction Safety and Health at Virginia Tech has created a way to honor a faculty member lost in the April 16 tragedy at Virginia Tech, Kevin Granata. Kevin was a friend and co-principal investigator to the members of the center and is deeply missed.
To honor Dr. Granata for his many accomplishments in engineering, the leadership of the center has decided to rename its pilot research program, which seed funds new investigators, to the "Kevin P. Granata Occupational Safety and Health Pilot Research Program." "Kevin was a researcher's researcher and a scholar's scholar," said Brian Kleiner, professor of industrial and systems engineering and director of the center. Kevin's research interests included neuromuscular control, muscle reflex response, and the mechanics of walking and running. He also worked with those afflicted with cerebral palsy, using robotics to better understand human movement.
"I feel that a developmental funding program in Kevin's name is especially fitting. Kevin was a mentor of unsurpassed skill and generosity—even though he himself was still young and recently promoted to full professor. By assisting new scholars in Kevin's name we believe the Center has found a most beautiful way to honor him," said Richard Benson, dean of the College of Engineering.
Dr. Granata, who was a professor in the Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics (ESM), core faculty member in the School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, and Center faculty member, distinguished himself by making many scholarly contributions. "He has been hailed by experts in the field of biomechanics as one of the top five researchers in the nation for his studies of movement dynamics in cerebral palsy," said Ishwar Puri, head of ESM. "I wholeheartedly support the honor the Center wishes to bestow in Kevin's memory. I hope that everyone will be very pleased with this fitting honor bestowed in Kevin's name."
At Virginia Tech Dr. Granata co-directed the Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Laboratory with colleague Dr. Michael Madigan, associate professor in ESM. This lab has also been renamed in Kevin's honor. "Kevin was a true scientist in every sense of the word. His constant curiosity was always spawning new ideas for research projects, and honoring him through a pilot research program, whose goal is to fund new research ideas, is a wonderful idea," said Madigan.
Dr. Granata earned his undergraduate degrees in electrical engineering and physics at the Ohio State University (OSU) and a master's degree in physics at Purdue University, where he met his wife, Linda. He worked in the Applied Physics Laboratory at Johns Hopkins University, later returning to OSU to earn his Ph.D. in biomechanics. Kevin worked at OSU for four years as a senior research engineer in the Biodynamic Laboratory, where he made significant developmental contributions to the lab's biodynamic spine model.
In 1997, Dr. Granata was recruited by the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Virginia (UVA) to direct research in the Motion Analysis and Motor Performance Laboratory, a position he held until joining the Virginia Tech ESM faculty in 2003. While at UVA, Kevin received a grant from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health to study "Trunk Stability and Spinal Load During Manual Materials Handling (MMH) Lifting" in order to identify and control occupational hazards for low back disorders.
In addition to Kevin's dedication to his career in engineering, he was first and foremost devoted to his family. He also served as a lacrosse coach for the New River Valley Lacrosse Club and volunteered with the Boy Scouts. In recognition of the importance Kevin placed on family life and community service, contributions towards the care and education of Kevin's three surviving children can be made to the fund listed below.
Kevin P. Granata Memorial Trust 1872 Pratt Drive Suite 1125 Blacksburg, VA 24060"