Susana began her higher education career at Technical University of Madrid, Spain (UPM) with a BSc in Mechanical Engineering. She continued her career with a MEng in Mechanical Engineering, where she completed her Masters dissertation, “Analysis and Design of a Safety System for Wheelchair Occupants’ Protection in Motor Vehicles”. She also holds a MEng in Automobile Engineering from University Institute of Automobile Research, Spain (INSIA).
From 2001 to 2012 she was a researcher at the University Institute of Automobile Research (INSIA), a centre belonging to Technical University of Madrid, Spain, where she focused on Research and Development in the field of Motor Vehicles, Safety, Traffic Accidents and Transportation Environmental Impact for National and International Projects.
In 2005-2012 she was the Head of Vehicle and Automotive Components Laboratory at the INSIA where she was the main responsible of testing activities. During this time she also taught Environmental Impact and Laboratory Practices on the Automobile Engineering Master Program at the INSIA-UPM.
Title of thesis: Wheelchair Occupant Safety in Motor Vehicle Accidents.
PhD student Susana Lopez-Sanchez is currently studying the design limitations and safety issues for passengers with limited mobility on road transport; with especial attention to wheelchair users when travelling in private vehicles. Her research aims to assess the injury risk associated with wheelchair-seated occupants in motor vehicle accidents by developing a computer model that represents the anthropometric of adult wheelchair users.
Supervisors: Professor Serpil Acar, Dr Richard Frampton.