a b o u t

_{^{ORCID 0000-0002-1122-497X}}

Functions (Now)

Senior Lecturer ( _^AUT) | Engineering Design and BioMechanical Engineering
Director ( _{^{bioMd. lab}} ) | BioMechanical Design Lab
Lead Team ( _{^{Toi o te Ora}} ) | AUT Wellbeing Research Network

Research Areas

Biomechanics
Biomultiphysics
Biomechanical Engineering

Education

Biomedical Engineering, PhD
Mechanical Engineering, BE
Applied Physics, BSc

P R O F I L E

Dr. Lorenzo Garcia is a Senior Lecturer in Engineering Design and Biomechanical Engineering at Auckland University of Technology (AUT), New Zealand. His research focuses on biomechanical system design, musculoskeletal biomechanics, and bio-multiphysics. He founded the BioMechanical Design Lab (biomd.org), leading a team that develops health technologies and bio-inspired systems through multidisciplinary approaches to enhance human performance and quality of life.

Dr. Garcia has held international roles, including Guest Scientist at the Centre for Ergonomics and Medical Technology (Muenster University of Applied Sciences) and Visiting Professor at Rosenheim University of Applied Sciences, Germany. He received the Science for Technological Innovation Award and was shortlisted for the European Space Agency’s astronaut selection process.

Before joining AUT, he served as Head of Intellectual Property at the Technology Transfer Office, University of La Laguna (ULL), Spain, gaining expertise in innovation management, product development, and translational research. He earned a PhD in Biomedical Engineering with a thesis on minimally invasive knee implant design and biomechanical analysis, developed in collaboration with ULL Medical School and an orthopaedic device manufacturer. His academic background also includes a BE in Mechanical Engineering and a BSc in Applied Physics, complemented by certifications from the European Patent Office, the Executive Management Program for High-Technology Enterprises (University of Texas at San Antonio), and the Intel Technology Entrepreneurship Education Program (Berkeley Haas School of Business, University of California).

Dr. Garcia is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the European Society of Biomechanics, and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (Advanced HE). Outside academia, he enjoys trekking, bikepacking, surfing, and other outdoor sports.

He works closely with postgraduate students and welcomes transdisciplinary collaborations. If you are interested in tackling challenging problems and creating meaningful impact, feel free to reach out.

_{Media & Public Engagement:
Dr. Garcia is available for expert commentary on sports equipment design, injury biomechanics, rehabilitation and assistive technologies (including orthotics, prosthetics, exoskeletons, and artificial muscles), bioinspired engineering, and astronaut biomechanics. He welcomes opportunities to contribute to public discussions on the future of health technologies, inclusive design, and the role of engineering in enhancing quality of life.}

^{Credit: Simon Siebers, Zentrum für Ergonomie und Medizintechnik, Muenster, Germany, 2024}

VITA

^{2025 to now: Appointed member to the ISSA Section on Prevention of Occupational Risks in Health Services (Germany)}

^{2024 to now: Guest Scientist at the Centre for Ergonomic and Medical Technology | Muenster University of Applied Sciences (Germany)}

^{2024: Visiting Professor | Rosenheim University of Applied Sciences (Germany)}

^{2022: Nominated as Astronaut Candidate [Stage 2] | European Space Agency (Germany)}

^{2021 to 2024: Mechatronic Engineering Academic Advisor | Auckland University of Technology (New Zealand)}

^{2018 to now: Founder/Director BioMechanical Design Lab}

^{2017 to 2024: Theme Leader | BioDesign Lab (New Zealand)}

^{2016 to now: Senior Lecturer in Engineering Design and Biomechanical Engineering | Auckland University of Technology (New Zealand)}

^{2011 to 2016: National Coordinator of Valorization Working Group | RedOTRI (Spain)}

^{2008 to 2014: Design and Analysis Engineer | Laffit – La Candelaria Hospital (Spain)}

^{2005 to 2016: Head of Intellectual Property | University of La Laguna (Spain)}

^{2003 to 2005: Innovation Manager | University of La Laguna (Spain)}

^{Credit: LG, Riding the Eurovelo 8, 2023}