WILLIAM DECKER

Virtual Occupant Safety . PhD . CAE Engineer

About Me

Experienced researcher with a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering and a decade of expertise in computational modeling, human behavior analysis, and safety innovations. I'm passionate about using innovative tools to better evaluate and streamline product development. Seeking to leverage interdisciplinary skills in human performance modeling and AI-driven research. Clear communicator, skilled at conveying advanced topics in an accessible manner.

See Projects

Projects

Experience in computational modeling ranging from human body models (GHBMC) to football helmet models to vehicle programs

Skills

Computational modeling, Human behavior and safety analysis, Human body model development, Vehicle program project management, Leadership in interdisciplinary research

Publications

Publications in Traffic Injury Prevention and IRCOBI; podium presentations at Enhanced Safety of Vehicles, IRCOBI, World Congress of Biomechanics, CARHS

Education

WHERE I'VE STUDIED

2015 – 2020
Virginia Tech – Wake Forest University Center of Injury Biomechanics
Doctor of Philosophy
Biomedical Engineering

2015 – 2018
Virginia Tech – Wake Forest University Center of Injury Biomechanics
Master of Science
Biomedical Engineering

2010 – 2015
University of South Carolina – Columbia, SC
Bachelor of Science
Biomedical Engineering

Projects

WHAT I'VE DONE

Global Human Body Models Consortium (GHBMC)

Senior student at the Full Body Model Center of Expertise

  • Assist in development and maintenance of the family of GHBMC models (13 models)
  • Experience simulating and extracting data through a variety of simplified and full-vehicle impact scenarios including Lateral and Frontal NCAP, and the EuroNCAP pedestrian protocol
  • Developed new time-efficient techniques for obtaining detailed human body model response
  • Compiled quarterly progress reports and monthly presentations for the GHBMC models
  • Designed time efficient and accurate positioning techniques for detailed human body models

Finite Element Football Helmet Model​

Senior student in the development and validation of the Schutt Air XP Pro finite element model
  • Developed the model through a multi-step process including CAD development, finite element meshing, simulation, data analysis, and validation.
  • Validated the model at the material, component, and full helmet levels
  • Helmet model was fit onto both the Hybrid III and NOCSAE head
  • Full helmet validation was performed through a total of 81 impact scenarios comparing kinematics and kinetics of the simulations versus experimental data

Skills

WHAT I BRING TO THE TABLE

COMPUTATIONAL MODELING
ANSYS LS - Dyna
Human body model development and validation
Biofidelic model development
Designing experiments and validating to real-world scenarios
AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY
Occupant safety evaluation
Unique load cases and innovative vehicle features
Vehicle development project management
PROBLEM SOLVING AND INNOVATION
Interdisciplinary collaboration
Innovative tools and workflows
COMMUNICATION AND PRESENTATION
Bridge technical and non-technical teams
Conference presentation
Technical writing
DATA ANALYSIS
Python
Matlab

Publications | Presentations

Publications

Decker W, Baker A, Ye X, Brown P, Stitzel J, Gayzik FS. Development and Multi-Scale Validation of a Finite Element Football Helmet Model. Annals of Biomedical Engineering, 2019. 1-13.

Decker W, Koya B, Pak W, Untaroiu CD, Gayzik FS. Evaluation of finite element human body models for use in a standardized protocol for pedestrian safety assessment. Traffic injury prevention, 2019. 1-5.

Decker W, Koya B, Gayzik FS. Validation of Detailed Organ Modularity in a Simplified Human Body Model. IRCOBI conference, 2018. IRC-18-59.

Decker W, Koya B, Davis ML, Gayzik FS. Modular use of human body models of varying levels of complexity: validation of head kinematics. Traffic injury prevention, 2017. 18(sup1): p. S155-S160.

Podium Presentations

Decker W, Koya B, Davis ML, Gayzik FS. “Modular use of human body models of varying levels of complexity: validation of head kinematics.” Accepted for podium presentation at the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles Conference (ESV), Detroit MI, June 2017. 

Decker W, Koya B, Gayzik FS. “Use of Finite Element Human Body Models in a Standardized Evaluation Protocol for Pedestrian Safety Assessment.” Accepted for podium presentation at the World Congress of Biomechanics, Dublin Ireland, July 2018. 

Decker W, Koya B, Gayzik FS. “Validation of Detailed Organ Modularity in a Simplified Human Body Model.” Accepted for podium presentation at the International Research Council on Biomechanics of Injury (IRCOBI) Europe, Athens Greece, September 2018. 

Decker W, Koya B, Tushak S, Shin J, Choi HY, Gayzik FS. “Application of the EuroNCAP Pedestrian Protocol using the GHBMC Family of Pedestrian Models: Verification across Three Dynamic FEA Solvers.” Invited speaker at the CARHS Human Modeling and Simulation in Automotive Engineering, Berlin Germany, October 2018. 

Contact Me

    • willdecker15@gmail.com

    I typically reply to all email inquiries within 24 hours.