Barry T. Bates, Ph.D. was granted Emeritus status in the Department of Exercise & Movement Science at the University of Oregon in 1997 following 25 years of teaching, research and service at the University. Prior to his retirement, he was the co-founder and had served as Director of the Biomechanics/Sports Medicine Laboratory at the University of Oregon since 1974. He has since continued his research efforts in his areas of expertise which include lower extremity function in running and landing, research design, and methodology. Dr. Bates continues to be a strong advocate of a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of human performance.
Along with his professorial duties at the University of Oregon, Dr. Bates was the founder and is the current President of the BioDynamics Foundation, which serves to fund students and special projects related to the study of human performance. Dr. Bates’ honors have included invitations to the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (1979), International Relations Delegation to the Soviet Union (1979), Beijing Institute of Physical Education (1988) and International Conference on Women in Egypt (1995). In 1984, he was chosen as one of 25 sports medicine experts as a member of Runner’s World Sports Medicine All-Star Team. He was also a member of NASA’s Glove Technology workshop in 1985, selected as a member of ASICS International Sport Science and Sports Medicine Forum in 1996, elected to the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education in 1986, and was certified as a Fellow of the American Board of Forensic Examiners in 1997. Dr. Bates was granted the Ruth B. Glassow Award from the Biomechanics Academy in acknowledgment of his contributions in applied biomechanics. In 1999, he also served as the Keynote Speaker at the Australasian Podiatry Conference in Methven, New Zealand. He is most proud, however, of the professional contributions of the 25 doctoral students that he mentored at the University of Oregon.
Dr. Bates has a strong commitment to the application of scientific knowledge for the betterment of humankind and has always been an advocate of mulit-disciplinary research. No better is this concept embodied than in his current professional activity as a Senior Scientist with HPW Biomechanics where he provides advisory services in personal injury litigation matters across the country. He continues to teach on a visiting basis at the University of Nevada Las Vegas where he is an Adjunct Professor. Dr. Bates has served as a consultant in the footwear industry for ASICS Tiger, Easy Spirit, Nike, and Osaka Kid Power and for Precor USA and Paramount Fitness Corporation in the exercise equipment industry.