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Brian Mann

Professor in the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
238 Hudson Hall, Box 90300, Durham, NC 27708-0300
238 Hudson Hall, Box 90300, Durham, NC 27708

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Professor in the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science · 2016 - Present Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Pratt School of Engineering
Associate Professor in Surgery · 2025 - Present Surgery, Plastic, Maxillofacial, and Oral Surgery, Surgery

In the News


Published September 22, 2022
The Roboticists Are Coming
Published November 21, 2021
Cross-Training Graduate Students to Develop Smart Robotic Surgical Instruments

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Recent Publications


Quantitative assessment of laparoscopic camera navigation skill: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

Journal Article Surg Endosc · December 23, 2025 OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether a low-cost, automated tool using trajectory-based metrics and real-time computer vision can objectively assess laparoscopic camera navigation (LCN) skill and distinguish between levels of surgical experience. Laparoscopic cam ... Full text Link to item Cite

Tibiofemoral cartilage strain and recovery following a 3-mile run measured using deep learning segmentation of bone and cartilage.

Journal Article Osteoarthr Cartil Open · March 2025 OBJECTIVE: We sought to measure the deformation of tibiofemoral cartilage immediately following a 3-mile treadmill run, as well as the recovery of cartilage thickness the following day. To enable these measurements, we developed and validated deep learning ... Full text Link to item Cite

Improving Bioimpedance-based Tissue Identification with Frequency Response Similarity Metrics.

Conference Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc · July 2024 Tissue identification is essential for surgeons to properly perform procedures and make informed decisions to minimize potential harm to patients. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) offers enhanced patient safety and outcomes at the cost of lost information ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Thermal Modeling for Dive Planning with a Yazback Wetsuit

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Office of Naval Research · 2024 - 2027

Multi-Axis Testing Research LANL RFP CW45342

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Los Alamos National Laboratory · 2023 - 2026

Title: NRT-FW-HTF: NSF Traineeship in the Advancement of Surgical Technologies

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2021 - 2026

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Education, Training & Certifications


Washington University in St. Louis · 2003 D.Sc.
Washington University in St. Louis · 1999 M.S.
University of Missouri, Columbia · 1996 B.S.