People
About Us
Henak Lab members have diverse scientific expertise. This diversity allows us to work together to creatively address questions within our three research themes.
Open Positions
Post-doc: We are looking for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join our lab in an interdisciplinary research project co-supervised by Professor Peter Muir and Professor Corinne Henak. This work has direct clinical impact with the goal of reducing stress fractures and death in Thoroughbred racehorses. This position provides a unique opportunity to work across a broad range of topics including but not limited to CT-based FEA, clinical image analysis, and workflow automation utilizing computer vision. Candidates with a PhD in mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, or a related field with a computational background and FEA expertise are preferred. Additional experience in mechanical testing and deep learning will be advantageous.
Please send your application to Professor Henak (chenak@wisc.edu) and Professor Muir (peter.muir@wisc.edu), include a CV, cover letter stating research background and interests, and contact information for three professional references.
Corinne Henak (Google Scholar, Pubmed, Mech Eng Dept Video)
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Denver, 2008
Ph.D. in Bioengineering, University of Utah, 2013
Post-doc in Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, 2013-2015
Corinne joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering at UW–Madison in 2015. She is affiliated with the Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation.
Corinne was first introduced to computational modeling in biomechanics during her undergraduate studies. Her PhD research coupled experimental and computational techniques for direct model validation. Her post-doc research emphasized experimental mechanics and bioresponses. As faculty, she enjoys continuing to work in computational modeling, mechanics, and bioresponses; always learning more from collaborators and trainees.
Outside of work, Corinne enjoys spending time outdoors and traveling with her family.
Muhtadi Munawar Zahin
Zahin is from Dhaka, Bangladesh, where he completed his Bsc in Mechanical Engineering before moving to Miami, Florida. There, he completed his PhD at Florida International University, with a focus on experimental characterization, modelling and replication of orthopedic connective tissue.
Zahin is now investigating mechanical properties of spinal tissues from specimens afflicted with spinal deformities conditions.
Outside of work, Zahin loves to spend time with his wife and family, which usually results in long drives and visiting parks.
Zachary Alesch
B.S. Biomedical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, 2018-2022
Zack grew up in the Madison area and is now a fourth-year PhD student in Biomedical Engineering. He has experience in biomaterials and tissue engineering, and is now studying cartilage mechanics and modeling. One day, Zack hopes to develop diagnostics and therapies for soft-tissue wounds and diseases like osteoarthritis.
Outside of the lab, Zack enjoys board games, fishing, and playing the oboe.
Jon Brooks
B.S. in Engineering Mechanics, 2020-2024
Jon is a first-year master’s student in Engineering Mechanics originally from Oconomowoc, WI. His research focuses on studying fracture in soft materials using video analysis. Outside the lab, Jon enjoys snowboarding and spending time at the Design Innovation lab.
Brandon Chelstrom
B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2018-2022
Brandon is a third year PhD student in Biomedical Engineering originally from Naperville, IL. His undergraduate work mainly focused on computational modeling of soft tissues, and he is now investigating brain interface mechanics to improve predictions of cellular damage due to TBI. Outside of the lab, Brandon enjoys cooking, getting outside, lifting, and binging movies.
Liam Sullivan-Konyn
B.S. in Engineering Mechanics and Mathematics, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2021-2026
Liam is a first-year Masters Student in Engineering Mechanics from Milwaukee, WI. His current work focuses heavily on applied technology research entailing experimental studies and computational modeling of soft material cutting tests.
Liam plans to pursue a PhD and later work in academia, performing fundamental physics research and modeling mechanics problems.
Xin Wei
M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, UW–Madison, 2022-2023
B.S. in Automotive Engineering, Wuhan University of Tech, 2018-2022
Xin is a second-year Ph.D. student in Mechanical Engineering from Wuhan, China. He is now focusing on the nonlinear surface wave in soft materials.
Outside of the lab, Xin enjoys basketball and workout. He is trying to learn skiing and climbing.
Lin Xu
B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, 2019 – 2023
M.S. in Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, 2023-2024
Lin is a first-year PhD student in Biomedical Engineering, originally from Beijing, China. Outside of the lab, Lin enjoys playing instruments, ice skating, and playing with her cat.
Chenhao Yu
M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Boston University, 2019-2021
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Saint Louis University, 2014-2018
Chenhao is a second-year PhD student from Shanghai, China. He works as a research assistant in an Orthopedics Lab before joining the team. His work will focus on cartilage optical redox imaging.
Outside of lab and school, Chenhao enjoys playing tennis and cooking.
Lana Schardt
Lana is an undergraduate student majoring in Biomedical Engineering from Rochester, Minnesota. She assists with research on brain interface mechanics to improve predictions of cellular damage after traumatic brain injury. Outside of the lab, Lana enjoys working out and spending time outdoors.
Jingyi Wang, PhD in Mechanical Engineering, 2025, postdoc 2025-2025.
Soroush Irandoust (Google Scholar, LinkedIn), postdoc and Research Scientist 2021-2026. Currently: Principal Scientist at Acushnet Company.
Ria Chugh, BS in Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2026.
Will Martin, MS in Biomedical Innovation, Design and Entrepreneurship, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2026. Currently: Technical Solutions Engineer at Epic.
Cecelia Rowell, BS in Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2026.
Liam Sullivan-Konyn, BS in Engineering Mechanics, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2026. Currently: Graduate Student at UW–Madison.
Max Kanakkanatt, MS in Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2026. Currently: Energetics Engineer at Battelle.
Alexandria Thao, MS in Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2026. Currently: Systems Engineering Technician II at HiArc.
Neha Kulkarni, BS in Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2025. Currently: R&D Intern at HistoSonics.
Greta Scheidt, BS in Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2025. Currently: research assistant at HGN Lab for Bionic Engineering, University of Utah.
Sophia Speece, Biomedical Engineering Student, University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Dipul Chawla (LinkedIn), PhD in Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2023. Currently: Reliability Engineer at Apple.
Riley Norman, BS in Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2023. Currently: Medical Scribe and Clinic Assistant at Vascular & Interventional Experts.
Elijah McCoy, BS in Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2023. Currently: Engineer at JP Cullen.
Jason Soukup, PhD in Comparative Biomedical Sciences, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2022. Currently: faculty in the School of Veterinary Medicine at UW–Madison.
Josephine Hall, BS in Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2022. Currently: Mechanical Design Engineer II at Medtronic.
Rikin Soni, former research intern.
Ashley Pernsteiner, BS in Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2022, currently: Operations II Engineer at Medline.
Katie Kern, BS in Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2022, currently: Senior R&D engineer at Medtronic.
Amanda Kemper, BS in Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2021, currently: Orthotic Resident at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.
Jack Fahy, MS in Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2021, currently: Senior Quality Engineer at Medline.
Josh Shelley, MS in Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2021, currently: Mechanical Engineer/Biomechanics at S-E-A.
Charlie Hower, BS in Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2021, currently: Orthopedic Surgery Resident, U Iowa.
Alexey Minaev, BS in Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2020, currently: Metrologist at PPD.
Shannon Wolf (Walsh), PhD in Comparative Biomedical Sciences, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2020, currently: Staff Attorney at Public Health Law Center.
Guebum Han, PhD in Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2019, currently: Structural Analyst (Mechanical Engineer), Intel Corporation.
Jin Wook Hwang, M.S. in Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2019, currently: Analyst at Invesco.
Alex Teague, B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2019, currently: General Surgery Resident at University of Cincinnati.
Jared Muench, B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2018, Research Intern 2018-2019, currently: PGY-2 Diagnostic Radiology Resident at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center.
Jacob Andreae, B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2018, currently: Biomedical Engineer at Reality Works.
Kelly Vazquez, M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2018, currently: Assistant Professor at Wheaton College.
Matthew Grondin, Thesis M.S. in Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2018, currently: PhD student at University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Danielle Redinbaugh, B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2017, currently: Senior Biomedical Engineer at AtriCure.
Trenton Roeber, B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2017, currently: Manager, Quality Assurance Engineering at Stryker.