ASME Honors David L. Butler for His Accomplishments in Bioengineering

NEW YORK, June 26, 2012 – David L. Butler, Ph.D., a resident of Fairfield, Ohio, and professor and program head of biomedical engineering at the University of Cincinnati, was honored by ASME.  He was recognized for significant contributions to bioengineering through creative research and leadership in knee ligament and tendon biomechanics, in vivo force measurements, functional tissue engineering principles, and the development of success criteria for soft tissue repair and reconstruction after injury.  He received ASME’s H.R. Lissner Medal.

The medal, established in 1977, recognizes outstanding accomplishments in the area of bioengineering.  The award was presented to Dr. Butler during the Summer Bioengineering Conference, was held in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, June 20 through 23.

Butler joined the faculty at the University of Cincinnati in 1976.  He has continually contributed to bioengineering through creative research and leadership in knee ligament and tendon biomechanics, in vivo force measurements, functional tissue engineering principles, and the development of success criteria for soft tissue repair and reconstruction after injury.

Throughout his career, Butler has developed a comprehensive research roadmap leading to seminal contributions including: identification of primary and secondary ligamentous restraints in the human knee that influence diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation; prioritization of functional replacements for the human anterior cruciate ligament and in vivo response of these replacements in animal models; development of implantable force transducers to measure in vivo tendon and ligament forces for activities of daily living; use of these force recordings to develop functional tissue engineering (FTE) principles and mechanical design criteria of success; mesenchymal progenitor cell therapy and mechanical preconditioning to enhance repair biology; and, most recently, the merging of FTE and developmental biology for identifying biological markers that can potentially lead to more regenerative than reparative therapies.  These study outcomes have been judged according to quantifiable mechanical success criteria that seek to determine “how good is good enough” using a roadmap that has led to continuous improvement in relevant response measures.

Butler has authored more than 130 peer-reviewed publications and has given nearly 150 invited/keynote lectures.  He holds three patents.

An ASME Fellow, Butler has been an active member of the ASME Bioengineering Division.  He is past chair and past secretary of the Executive Committee, and past chair of the Joint Biomechanics Committee.  He was associate editor for the Journal of Biomechanical Engineering (1989-92); and chair of the Finance Committee (1998-2001), the Student Paper Competition (1997-99) and the Nominations Committee (1995).  He was a member of the New Directions Committee (1995-97).  He was also a member of the Task Force on Biotechnology and Human Factors Engineering, and the Committee on Emerging Technologies.  He was the recipient of the Society’s Gustus L. Larson Memorial Award.

Butler is a member of the U.S. National Committee on Biomechanics, where he served as chair (2009-11); Sigma XI, the Scientific Research Society, where he serves as president of the Cincinnati chapter (2011-12); and the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineers, where he is Founding Fellow (1992) and annual meeting program chair (1995).  He is also a member of the Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS), the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the Cincinnati chapter of the National Academy of Inventors.  He serves as a council member (2010-14) for the World Congress on Biomechanics.

Butler earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering mechanics and his Ph.D. in engineering mechanics/biomechanics at Michigan State University, East Lansing, in 1970, 1972 and 1976, respectively.

About ASME: ASME helps the global engineering community develop solutions to real world challenges. Founded in 1880 as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME is a not-for-profit professional organization that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing and skill development across all engineering disciplines, while promoting the vital role of the engineer in society. ASME codes and standards, publications, conferences, continuing education and professional development programs provide a foundation for advancing technical knowledge and a safer world.