Ph.D. Kinesiology, University of California, Los Angeles - 1991
M.S. Kinesiology, University of California, Los Angeles - 1988
B.S. Biological Psychology, University of California, Davis - 1983
Dr. Salem is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy at the University of Southern California's Health Sciences Campus. He is the co-director of the Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Laboratory (MBRL) and is the director of the department's Anatomical Sciences Program.
At UCLA, Dr. Salem studied in the Connective-Tissue Biomechanics Laboratory (CTBL) under the directorship of Dr. Ronald F. Zernicke (University of Calgary). His research investigated the influence of space flight, exercise, immobilization, diabetes, and dietary factors on the biomechanics and biochemistry of connective tissues. He also served as an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach for the UCLA Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. After completing his doctorate, Dr. Salem continued to work in CTBL as a post-doctoral scholar and instructed anatomy and biomechanics courses while an Adjunct Professor in the UCLA Department of Physiological Science.
Dr. Salem's basic-science investigations and practical coaching experiences were instrumental in the development of his current research program at MBRL. This program recognizes the growing importance of resistance exercise in rehabilitation, functional-performance preservation and fall, injury and osteoporosis prevention. Research investigations are designed to quantify the mechanics, recruitment, and adaptation of the musculoskeletal system in response to resistance exercise. Current projects include: 1) the effects of wearing a weighted vest on the strength, functional performance, and bone density of elders, 2) squatting biomechanics in elite women athletes, 3) bench-stepping biomechanics and the influence of step bench structural properties, 4) muscle recruitment patterns during novel resistance exercise programs in elders, 5) muscle recruitment patterns and force production during repetitive trunk movements, and 6) biomechanics of functional performance tests during ACL rehabilitation.
Dr. Salem is a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, and a member of the American Society of Biomechanics, the International Society of Biomechanics, and the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He instructs courses in musculoskeletal anatomy and the biomechanics of tissue adaptation.
Dr. Salem is married to Dr. Susan Kohlruss Salem and has two children, Christian and Marie. His interests/hobbies include basketball, surfing, snowboarding, meteorology, and exercise-equipment evaluation.
Questions or comments? Please send comments to
gsalem@hsc.usc.edu
Page last updated 4-8-98