Mark E. Benden received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Biomedical Engineering from Texas A&M University. He also received his Master of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering with a specialization in Ergonomics and a minor in Safety Engineering from Texas A&M University and his PhD in Interdisciplinary Engineering at Texas A&M.
As a commissioned Officer in the United States Army Reserve, he served on active and reserve duty with the Corps of Engineers and as an enlisted, combat medic with the Texas Army National Guard. His civilian career includes experience as a Rehabilitation Engineer, an Ergonomic Consultant, a plant Ergonomic Engineer, a corporate Ergonomist for Johnson & Johnson Inc., Executive Vice President for Neutral Posture, Inc. in Bryan, Texas, and most recently named Assistant Professor, Texas A&M Health Science Center,School of Rural Public health,Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Dr. Benden is co-owner and COO of Positive Motion LLC, a faculty led startup company designed to develop several of his patent pending medical devices such as the AmbiCycle patient transport and hyperthermia alarm system to prevent hot-vehicle deaths in children and pets.
Dr. Benden is the author of several articles and book chapters on Ergonomics and has been called upon to lecture at multiple professional groups throughout the United States, Canada, the Carribean and Central America. He also holds 16 US Patents for current ergonomic office products and has many patents pending.
Mr. Benden received certificate #706 from the Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics Inc. as a Certified Professional Ergonomist. He is an active member of the Institute for Industrial Engineers, The American Society of Safety Engineers and the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. Mark claims his greatest achievement was convincing his wife of 21 years, Teresa, to marry him. This union resulted in them being blessed with 3 wonderful sons, Travis, Justin and Luke.
EDUCATION
PhD. Interdisciplinary Engineering Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
M.S. Industrial Engineering Specialization: Human Factors/Ergonomics Minor: Safety Engineering Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
B.S. in Bioengineering Specialization: Human Factors Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
CERTIFICATION
Certified Professional Ergonomist, October 1994, certificate #706 from the Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics, Inc.
HONORS
Top 10 Most Innovative Product Designer, Healthcare Design Magazine, May 2008
Platinum ADEX award in the 2004-05 Awards for Design Excellence for AbStool™ in the Design Journal
Member, Canvass Committee for BSR/HFES 100 the proposed draft to the ANSI/HFS 100 – 1988 American National Standard for Human Factors Engineering of Visual Display Terminal Workstations
NATIONAL ERGONOMIC CONFERENCE AND EXPOSITION (NECE)
NECE 2007 Attendees Choice Award for the N·tune™ Seating System
NECE 2006 Attendees Choice Award for the Pipette Arm
NECE 2005 Attendees Choice Award for the NeXtep™
NECE 2004 Attendees Choice Award for the StandUp™
NECE 2003 Attendees Choice Award for the AbStool™
COMMON SPEAKING TOPICS
- US Patent Process for Ergonomic Products
- Design for the Extremes
- The Ergonomics of Managing Physical Stress in the Office
CONSULTING SERVICES OFFERED
Worksite Evaluation, Return to work assessment, Ergonomic Training, Product Design and Testing, Prototype construction, ADA accommodations, Expert Witness, Patent Development
PUBLICATIONS
Evaluation Day, Measuring Office Ergonomics Training Can Show Impact"Industrial Engineer; Sept 2009,pp 46-49
“Comfort = Productivity: Ergonomics in the Work Place” Contact Professional Magazine, May/June 2008 pp. 12-13
“Workstation Design and Anthropometry Considerations for the Obese Office Worker” Conference Proceedings, American Industrial Hygeine Conference, Minneapolis, MN, June 2008.
"An Evaluation of the Use of a Dual Frequency Vibrometer in the Screening of Individuals for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome," Texas A&M University Office of Graduate Studies, May 1992
"Creating the Painless Inspection Station," Ergonomics in Design, July 1994
Applied Ergonomics, Edited by Alexander & Rabourn, Taylor & Francis 2001 Chapter 35 – "Use of Three-Dimensional Fabric Yields Ergonomic Benefits in Upholstery Work"
"The Patent Process for Ergonomic Products" Conf. Proceedings of the Sixth Annual Applied Ergonomics Conference, Dallas, Texas Mar. 2003
"Use of Three Dimensional, Knitted Fabric Yields Ergonomic Benefits in Upholstery Work – A Two Year Follow Up Study" Conf. Proceedings of the First Annual Association of Canadian Ergonomist's Conference, Toronto, Canada, Oct. 2003
"Could You Stand to Lose? Weight Loss Secrets for Office Workers" Book by Dr. Mark E. Benden, Trinity Publishing, 2007
PATENTS
- US Patent # 6,142,571 – Ergonomic Footrest Apparatus for a Chair - Fring™
- US Patent # 6,220,663 – Lumbar Pump Assembly for a Chair
- US Patent # 6,296,312 – Ergonomic Armrest Assembly
- US Patent # 6,290,295 – Air Pump Assembly for a Chair
- US Patent # D458,777S – Onboard Instruction Guide
- US Patent # D463,441S – Computer Accessories and Mouse Deck
- US Patent # 6,604,786 – Support Apparatus for a Chair and Keyboard
- US Patent # 6,607,246 – Improved Footrest for a Chair
- US Patent # 6,877,812 B2 – Abstool "Support for a Seating Device"
- US Patent # 7,036,886 – NeXtep™ "Support for a Seating Device"
- US Patent # 7,048,236 – "Vertical Adjustment Apparatus for a Keyboard” StandUp™
- US Patent # 7,104,606 – "Support for a Seating Device" AbStool™ Dual use, 4 position, Rotating Support Cushion
- US Patent #D541,061 Seating Device - Balance™ Chair Ergo
- US Patent #D543,038 Support for a Seating Device - Balance™ Conference
- US Patent #D557,513 Foot Support - The N·position™
- US Patent #D588,245 Elemental, Recycled Aluminum Keyboard Tray
As of 1 Aug,2009 – 3 additional patent application were “Pending”