Dr. Jindrich is an Assistant Professor of Kinesiology and member of the Center for Adaptive Neural Systems in the Biodesign Institute. Dr. Jindrich received his B.A. and Ph.D. from The University of California at Berkeley in 1993 and 2001, respectively. From 2001 to 2003, he worked as a postdoctoral fellow at the Harvard School of Public Health, and in 2004 he joined the Department of Physiological Science and Brain Research Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles as an Assistant Researcher.

Dr. Jindrich directs the Laboratory for Integrative Motor Behavior (LIMB) lab. Research in the LIMB lab seeks to discover fundamental principles of biomechanics and motor control, interpret these principles in the context of the physical and occupational environment, and apply basic research discoveries to problems in biomedicine and public health. Current studies to address these aims include: (1) characterizing the dynamic requirements for maintaining stability and maneuvering during locomotion; (2) discovering the behavioral strategies for controlling unsteady locomotion, and the relative roles of musculoskeletal properties and neural output in maneuvering and stability; (3) using biomechanics to prevent workplace injury; (4) developing methods to quantitatively assess locomotor and upper-extremity function following neuromotor impairment such as spinal cord injury, stroke, and traumatic brain injury; (5) developing and evaluating novel approaches for restoring motor function following spinal cord injury; and (6) understanding the mechanisms of spinal learning. Comparative experimental studies using a diversity of animals (humans, rodents, primates, insects, birds) are used to develop and test conceptual and mathematical models. Biomechanical (kinematics, force) and neurophysiological (EMG) measurements are used to describe motor control, and interpreted in the context of musculoskeletal and neural anatomy and function. Computer simulations can also be valuable tools for hypothesis generation, sensitivity analysis, and engineering design. Overall, the laboratory is committed to using discoveries from basic research to prevent injuries, and develop effective methods for rehabilitation and functional restoration following neuromotor injury.

1. Balakrishnan, A.D., Jindrich, D. L. and Dennerlein, J.T. (2006). Horizontal force components can reduce finger joint torques during tapping on a computer keyswitch. Human Factors. 48(1):121-9.
   
2. Jindrich, D. L., Besier, T. F. and Lloyd, D. G. (2006) A hypothesis for the function of braking forces during running turns. Journal of Biomechanics, 39: 1611-1620.
   
3. Jindrich, D. L., Balakrishnan, A.D. and Dennerlein, J.T. (2004) Keyswitch design and finger posture affect finger joint impedance during tapping on a computer keyswitch. Clinical Biomechanics, 19:600-608.
   
4. Jindrich, D. L., Balakrishnan, A.D. and Dennerlein, J.T. (2004) Finger joint impedance during voluntary tapping on a computer keyswitch. Journal of Biomechanics, 37: 1589-1596.
   
5. Jindrich, D.L., Zhou, Y., Becker, T. and Dennerlein, J.T. (2003) Fingertip pulp mechanics during voluntary tapping. Journal of Biomechanics. 36(4) 497-503.
   
6. Jindrich, D. L. and Full, R. J. (2002). Dynamic stabilization of rapid hexapedal locomotion. Journal of Experimental Biology. 205,2803-2823.
   
7. Jindrich, D.L. and Full, R. J. (1999)  Many-legged maneuverability: dynamics of turning in hexapods. Journal of Experimental Biology.  202, 1603-1623.
   
8. Autumn, K., Jindrich, D.L., deNardo, D., and Mueller, R. (1999) Locomotor performance at low temperature and the evolution of nocturnality in geckos. Evolution. 53(2),  580-599.
   
9. Full, R. J., Yamauchi, A. and Jindrich, D. L. (1995) Maximum single leg force production: cockroaches righting on photoelastic gelatin. Journal of Experimental Biology, 198, 2441-2452.