Episode Details

Stefan Duma joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the history of the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab and the impact it has had on sports-related head injuries. He shared how a military research conference led him to study helmets, as well as the critical role the lab’s relationships with the Virginia Tech football and sports medicine programs have played in advancing this pioneering research. Duma discussed the role of the helmet lab in helping to create a greater awareness about head injuries throughout all sports, and described the helmet shell add-on fans can witness during the football team’s spring game on April 13.

About Duma

Duma is a University Distinguished Professor and the Harry C. Wyatt Professor of Engineering in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics. He is also the director of the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Sciences and the founder of the Helmet Lab. 

Chapters

00:30 -- From Automobile Safety to Military Research

01:29 -- Instrumenting Football Helmets

04:00 -- Collaboration with Virginia Tech Football

05:09 -- Helmet Ratings and Impact

07:44 -- Impact on Consumer Decisions

09:07 -- Testing and Rating Process

10:06 -- Partnership with NCAA

11:54 -- Shell Covers for Player Protection

13:30 -- Contact Time in Practice

15:20 -- Reducing Head Impacts in Youth Football

16:19 -- Increased Awareness of Concussions