Kermit Davis received his B.S. in Industrial Engineering in 1992 from the University of Toledo. He received his M.S. (1996) and Ph.D. (2001) from The Ohio State University where he conducted research in the Biodynamics Laboratory. He has published 40 articles in peer-reviewed journals with 15 as first author. Dr. Davis has also been awarded with several international awards for his research including the Volvo Award for Low Back Biomechanics (ISSLS), Alphonse Chapanis Student Paper (HFES), Alice Hamilton Award (NIOSH), and Liberty Mutual Award (IEA) as well as was the recipient of an International Society of Biomechanics Dissertation grant (2000).
He is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Health at the University of Cincinnati where his research is focusing on the investigation of the interactive effect of physical workplace demands, mental workload and psychosocial workplace characteristics, and individual factors such as age and obesity on the responses within the lower back. Previous work has included investigations into the impact of workplace stressors on the lower back in the areas of warehousing, patient handling, alternative modes of handling (e.g. team lifting, one hand lifting, pushing/pulling), injured populations, and ergonomic interventions (e.g. back belts, lifting hoists, adjustable fork lifts). He has developed a comprehensive and interactive research agenda that will investigate the complex etiology of low back pain and numerous stages of progression.
