I'm a professor and administrator at Brigham Young University (BYU). My research focuses on compliant mechanisms, which are devices that gain their mobility from the deflection of flexible parts rather than from traditional bearings and hinges.  My fundamental work in compliant mechanisms has led to research in origami-inspired mechanisms, space mechanisms, micro-mechanisms, and medical devices. I work with students and other faculty in the Compliant Mechanisms & Robotics group (CMR).

My philosophy is to do research in "the spirit of service" with the goal of making a positive influence in the world. We create compliant mechanism theories and applications that are novel, used by others, and make a difference for good.  Our lab's educational objective is to provide students with world-class research experiences in a rewarding environment that increases students' technical abilities, confidence, and desire and ability to be an influence for good.  I believe a powerful way to provide those experiences is to perform quality, original engineering research that is responsive to the needs of industry and society, provide research results that are used by others, and to treat sponsors, collaborators, colleagues, licensees and all others with dignity and respect.

We make our research results available to researchers and industry through traditional peer-reviewed academic publications and books. In an effort to make our research to be useful beyond our research peers,  we work with entrepreneurs, government agencies and industry to apply our results through sharing information, licensing patents, and doing research projects that address their needs. 

We also make results available to broader audiences through sharing files in open access 3D print repositories, collaborating with internet influencers, and working with the media. Our lab’s work has been reported in popular venues such as CNN International, Newsweek, Scientific American, The Economist, Smithsonian Magazine, and the PBS documentary program NOVA. We have also collaborated with content creators and influencers such as Mark Rober and Derek Muller (Veritasium). 

Being a BYU engineering professor is my dream job. I'm currently also an Associate Academic Vice President and have previously served as Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Associate Dean of the BYU College of Engineering. I received my BS at BYU and my MS and PhD at Purdue University. Before coming to BYU, I was an engineer on the YF-22 (the first prototype of the F-22 Raptor fighter jet), a project engineer at Engineering Methods, Inc., and a visiting Professor at Purdue University. 

I am a Fellow of ASME, past chair of the ASME Mechanisms & Robotics Committee, and have been associate editor for the Journal of Mechanisms & Robotics and the Journal of Mechanical Design. I've been honored to receive the ASME Machine Design Award, ASME Mechanisms & Robotics Award, Theodore von Kármán Fellowship, NSF Career Award, Purdue Outstanding Mechanical Engineer (alumni award), and the BYU Karl G. Maeser Distinguished Lecturer Award (BYU’s highest faculty award). 

As a young man, I served as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and my faith continues to be a big part of my life. My wonderful wife and I have four children and six grandchildren.