CXLT Certification, 2012 (#1202435)
PC-Crash Essentials Training Workshop, 2012
Crash Data Retrieval Specialist (2016)
CA2RS Annual Conference (2017)
Crash Data Retrieval Analyst, 2018
Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction (ACTAR)
Traffic Accident Reconstructionist (#4534)
Biomechanics
Clinical Sciences
Computational Biomechanics
Emerging Medical Technologies Human Physiology
Human Response to Vibration
Mechanics of Human Spine
Orthopedic Biomaterials
Human Physiology
Vice President, Vollmer-Gray Engineering Laboratories (January 2023 to present).
Staff Engineer, Vollmer-Gray Engineering Laboratories, Inc. (November 2011 to December 2022) Accident reconstruction, biomechanical analysis, injury mechanisms, accident analysis, slip/trip and fall, premises liability.
Graduate Research Assistant, Center for Computer Aided Design, The University of Iowa, Iowa City (August 2008 to October 2011). Developed test protocols (accordance to ASTM/ISO standards) and performed static and dynamic on cadaveric spine specimens using servohydraulic Materials Testing System. Developed finite element models of human spine using computer aided modeling techniques. Performed failure analyses on various soft tissues and spinal implants. Collaborated with surgeons to implement and test various surgical techniques. Worked with medical device companies during product development. Assessed subjective discomfort under varying frequencies and directions of whole-body vibration (with and without seat belt) using a man-rated motion platform.
Research Assistant, RUSH University Medical Center, Chicago (October 2006 to July 2008). Designed and developed the spine testing system for the kinematic analysis of spine cadaveric specimens. Set up the 3D motion capture system (Motion Analysis) for tracking real-time data. Resolved hardware and software issues by collaborating with the technical support staff of the Motion Analysis Corporation. Measured facet pressure distribution under various loading conditions using Tekscan. Generated solid models of Lumbar Spine using Materialise Mimics software.
Undergraduate Researcher, Global Hospitals, India (January 2006 to June 2006). Assessed the severity of the Carotid Artery Stenosis by Color Duplex Ultrasound. Performed literature search and project planning. Observed patients during diagnosis and studied the ultrasound images for abnormality. Preparation of case summaries and data management.
Undergraduate Internship, Medwin Hospitals, India (May 2005 to September 2005). Analyzed the design criteria for various orthopedic implants. Collaborated with the surgeons and doctors to determine and enhance the quality/function of various medical devices/equipments. Performed background search and prepared the relevant documentation.
Nicole Kallemeyn, Anup Gandhi, Swathi Kode, Kiran Shivanna, Joseph Smucker and Nicole Grosland, Validation of a C2-C7 cervical spine finite element model using specimen-specific flexibility data, Medical Engineering & Physics, 2010, 32(5), 482-489.
Swathi Kode, Anup A Gandhi, Douglas C Fredericks, Nicole M Grosland, Joseph D Smucker, Effect of Multi-Level Open Door Laminoplasty and Laminectomy on the flexibility of Cervical Spine: An Experimental Investigation, Spine, 2012, 37(19),E1165.
Nicole A. Kallemeyn, Kiran H. Shivanna, Nicole A. DeVries, Swathi Kode, Anup A. Gandhi, Douglas C. Fredericks, Joseph D. Smucker, Nicole M. Grosland, Advancements in Spine FE Mesh Development: Toward Patient-Specific Models, Patient-Specific Modeling in Tomorrow’s Medicine, 2012 75-101, Springer.
Swathi Kode, Nicole A. Kallemeyn, Douglas C Fredericks, Joseph D Smucker, Nicole M Grosland, The effect of multi-level laminoplasty and laminectomy on the biomechanics of the cervical spine: A finite element study, The Iowa Orthopedic Journal, 34, 150-157, 2014.
Anup A Gandhi, Swathi Kode, Douglas C Fredericks, Nicole M Grosland, Joseph D Smucker, Biomechanical Analysis of Cervical Disc Replacement and Fusion Using Single Level, Two Level and Hybrid Constructs, Spine, 40 (20) :1578-85, 2015.
Anup Gandhi, Swathi Kode, Ryan Ilgenfritz, Joseph Smucker, Doug Fredericks, Nicole Grosland, Considerations for use of C7 Translaminar Screws in Cervicothoracic Instrumentation, American Society of Biomechanics, 2011, Long Beach, CA.
Swathi Kode, Nicole A. Kallemeyn, Joseph D. Smucker, Douglas C. Fredericks, Nicole M. Grosland, Biomechanical Effects of Laminoplasty and Laminectomy on the Stability of Cervical Spine, Summer Bioengineering Conference, 2011, Farmington, PA. (Simulia Travel Award)
Swathi Kode, Nicole A. Kallemeyn, Joseph D. Smucker, Douglas C. Fredericks, Nicole M. Grosland, Adaptive Bone Remodeling Theory Applied to Cervical Laminoplasty, Research Open House, The University of Iowa, 2011, Iowa City, IA (Best Poster Award)
Swathi Kode, Nicole A. Kallemeyn, Joseph D. Smucker, Nicole M. Grosland, Finite Element Modeling of Multi-Level Cervical Laminoplasty, Orthopaedic Research Society, 2010, New Orleans, LA.
S. Kode, M. Gudipally, T. Takigawa, A. A. Espinoza Orias, R. Natarajan, H. S. An, G.B.J. Andersson, S. L. Griffith, N. Inoue, Effect of Annulus Fibrosus Repair on the Lumbar Spine Biomechanics, Summer Bioengineering Conference, 2009, Lake Tahoe, CA. (Finalist in Masters Student Paper Competition)
Nicole A. Kallemeyn, Kiran H. Shivanna, Anup A. Gandhi, Swathi Kode, Nicole M. Grosland, Subject-Specific Experimental Validation of a C27 cervical spine finite element model. ASME 2009, June 17-21, Resort at Squaw Creek, Lake Tahoe, CA.
S. Kode, M. Gudipally, T. Takigawa, A.A. Espinoza Orias, R. Natarajan, H.S. An, N. Inoue, S.L. Griffith, Biomechanical Evaluation of the Lumbar Spine After Anular Repair, Spine Arthroplasty Society, 2009, London, England.
Gandhi, S. Kode, D. Fredericks, J. Smucker, N. Grosland, Biomechanical Comparison of Cervical Disc Replacement and Fusion Using Bi-level and Hybrid Constructs: A Finite Element Study, Spine Arthroplasty Society 2012, Barcelona, Spain
Swathi Kode, Biomechanics of Injury, McRae and Edrington, California, January 27, 2012
Swathi Kode, Biomechanics of Injury, All State Diamond Bar, California, May 9, 2012
Swathi Kode, Biomechanics of Injury in Low Speed Collision, Auto Club of Southern California, Los Angeles, June 1, 2012
Swathi Kode, Injury Biomechanics, Wesierski & Zurek LLP, California, September 11, 2012
Swathi Kode, Spinal Implants: Materials, Design and Challenges, ASM, ASCE, NACE, Temecula Combo Meeting, September 23, 2014.
Swathi Kode, Multi-Vehicle Collision and Injury Analysis, Woodland Hills, California, September 10, 2015
American Society of Biomechanics
Simulia Travel Award, Summer Bioengineering Conference, 2011
Finalist, Masters Student Paper Competition, ASME, 2009
American Society for Testing and Materials-Member
American Society of Biomechanics-Member
North American Spine Society-Member
Asian Spine Journal-Reviewer and Associate Editor
Indian Orthopedic Journal-Reviewer
Medical Sciences Journals-Reviewer
The Spine Journal-Reviewer
Journal of Spine-Reviewer
Spine-Reviewer
Associate Editor for BioE Research Journal-2008 at University of Illinois at Chicago
Executive member for National Level Technical Symposium, MEDITECH-2006, India
Volunteer for the scientific meeting of BMES-2006,Chicago, IL
ASTM F13 Committee Week, June 2015 – Anaheim, CA
FORCON International, ASTM F2948- Based Walkway Auditor Training Course, June 2015 – Anaheim, CA
Crash Data Retrieval Technician I & II Certification Course, February 2016 – Glendora , CA
“How to Do a Quality Manuscript Review” Webinar-NASS April 2016
“MRI of the Spine: Essentials for the Spine Specialist” Webinar-NASS March 2016
