Janet Brelin-Fornari

Contact Information

Wilson Hall
219 Wilson Rd
Room: C101C
East Lansing , MI 48825

jfornari@msu.edu

Technology Engineering Program Director

Technology Engineering

Biography

Dr. Janet Brelin-Fornari serves as the founding director of MSU Technology Engineering. Prior to joining MSU in 2023, she held various academic faculty and administrative positions, including professor of mechanical engineering, and lead groundbreaking research in pediatric mobility crash safety with an emphasis on side impact test protocols for automotive child seats and transport of lap held infants in commercial aviation. Prior to entering an academic career, Dr. Brelin-Fornari was a General Motors Fellow, working extensively in automotive field collision analysis and side impact restraint system integration.  She holds earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in mechanical engineering. 

Education

  • Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, University of Arizona - Tucson
  • M.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
  • B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Nebraska – Lincoln

Grants

Co-PI, “Advancing Real-World Engineering Experience through TechE Labs and Indy Autonomous Co-Curricular”
Denso Foundation
2024-2026
PI, “Repeatability and reproducibility for child seat side impact using a deceleration sled”
US Department of Transportation – National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
2015-2017
Co-PI, “Small rear occupant side impact investigation using a deceleration sled”
Hyundai-Kia
2014
Co-PI, “Police equipment interference in oblique frontal impacts”
Department of Justice / National Institute of Justice and Michigan Technological University
2012
Co-PI, “Newtonian Physics in Crash Safety”
Kern Family Foundation
2011
PI, “Development of a side impact test standard for child seats using a deceleration sled”
US Department of Transportation – National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. MOD I and MOD II.
2011-2013
Co-PI, “Research of restraint systems for occupants in high-speed rear impact using a deceleration sled”
TRW Automotive
2010-2013
Co-PI, “Research of restraint systems for rear seat occupants of HMMWV”
Battelle – US Army TARDEC
2010
Co-PI, “Learning modules with Crash Safety for Introductory Physics Lab”
National Science Foundation
2007
PI, “Development of a side impact testing protocol using a deceleration sled”
Dorel Juvenile Group
2006-2009
PI, “Crash Safety Research”
AAA Michigan Foundation
2005-2007

Selected Publications

  1. Brelin-Fornari, J., “Final Report on CRS Side Impact Study of Repeatability and Reproducibility Using a Deceleration Sled”. Department of Transportation Contract Number DTNH22-15-P-00125. Federal Register June 30, 2022.
  2. Tavakoli, M., and Brelin-Fornari, J. “Effects of Pretensioners and Load Limiters on 50th Male and 5th Female Seated in Rear Seat during a Frontal Collision” SAE Technical Paper 2015-01-1460. April 2015.
  3. Brelin-Fornari, J. and Janca, S., "Pulse Sensitivity of a Child Restraint System, Near-Side Impact Fixture," SAE Technical Paper 2014-01-0538, 2014, doi:10.4271/2014-01-0538.
  4. Janca, S., Shanks, K., Brelin-Fornari, J., Tangirala, R. et al., "Side Impact Testing of the Near-Side, Rear Seat Occupant Using a Deceleration Sled," SAE Technical Paper 2014-01-0547, 2014, doi:10.4271/2014-01-0547.
  5. Brelin-Fornari, J., and Janca, S., “Final Report II on the Development of a Side Impact Test Procedure for Child Restraint Systems Using a Deceleration Sled”. Department of Transportation Contract Number DTNH22-11-R-00204. Report number DOT_SIDE_213

Awards

  • Society of Women Engineers (International) Distinguished Engineering Educator
  • Society of Automotive Engineering International Ralph R Teetor Educational Award (Aerospace)
  • Kettering University Rodes Professorship, Kettering University
  • Kettering University Outstanding Applied Researcher
  • General Motors Fellow
  • Educational Program of the Year, Finalist, Automation Alley

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