Liyun Yang

Liyun Yang

Assistant Professor
Telephone: +46852486109
Visiting address: Nobels väg 13, 17177 Stockholm
Postal address: C6 Institutet för miljömedicin, C6 Arbetsmedicin Selander, 171 77 Stockholm
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About me

  • Assistant professor, within the area of ergonomics at the Unit of Occupational medicine, IMM, Karolinska Institutet


    Postdoctoral researcher, Unit of Occupational medicine, IMM, Karolinska Institutet, 2020-2025.


    PhD 2019, KTH Royal Institute of Technology & Karolinska Institutet


    MSc 2015, KTH Royal Institute of Technology

Research

  • I conduct research in ergonomics with a focus on preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders and promoting a sustainable working life. My work bridges digital innovation and practical workplace solutions, aligning with global goals for good health, well-being, and decent work.

    I develop and evaluate accessible ergonomic risk assessment tools using wearable sensors, smartphone applications, and smart workwear technologies. These tools aim to make accurate, real-time assessments possible in everyday work environments. I also study how ergonomic methods are implemented in organizations, including systematic risk management approaches and work-technique training supported by biofeedback.

    Another key area of my research is surgical ergonomics, where I investigate ways to reduce physical strain among surgeons through new technologies, individualized feedback, and targeted interventions.

    Collectively, my research seeks to generate evidence-based methods and technologies that strengthen both individual well-being and organizational capacity to create healthier, more sustainable work environments.



    My current research work focuses on these main areas:
    1. Development and evaluation of ergonomic risk assessment tools with wearable sensors. In order to improve the work environment regarding ergonomics factors, it is important to identify risks and assess the severity of those risk factors. Easy-to-use and low-cost tools and methods are needed to facilitate the accurate risk assessment in work places. Some examples of projects that I have worked with:

    • A freely-available iPhone application for measurement upper arm postures and movements – ErgoArmMeter, with over 5000 downloads worldwide (AFA financed project). 

    • DiPMaS (Digital Platform for Manufacturing Staff), with the goal to develop a digital platform using smart workwear systems with integrated sensors to support manufacturing staff to improve health, safety and quality. 

    It is a collaboration between KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Research Institutes of Sweden RISE and industrial partners, funded by Vinnova Produktion2030. The project is now finished in Nov 2025.

     
    • A smartphone application with wireless motion sensors for wrist velocity assessment in hand-intensive work – ErgoHandMeter. The application has been tested in lab and in industrial settings with highly-rated usability. Further algorithm for better accuracy is being tested (Forte financed
    project).

    2. Intervention and implementation of ergonomics method In order to prevent WMSDs in the working population, intervention and implementation research is of high importance. Two approaches in ergonomics are suggested: to fit the task to the human and to “fit” the human to the task.
     

    Currently, I work with two different intervention/implementation projects applying the two approaches:

    •  RAMPie: Implementation of a systematic risk management method (RAMP) in companies, financed by AFA Insurance.. The project aims to study the company implementation process and strategies, and evaluate the effects on individual and organizational level. The project is finished in 2025.
    • HaSY (2025 to 2028): Work technique training using wearable systems with bio-feedback. We have tested different bio-feedback training programs in lab and industrial settings, with significant short term effects. This project aims to evaluate the long-term effects of work technique training with sensor-based biofeedback, when the intervention is carried out early in connection with the professional introduction to healthcare and industrial work.

    3. Surgical ergonomics

    Surgeons are at high risk for developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), which are associated with surgeon burnout and decreased quality of life. It may also impact surgical performance, patient safety and surgeon career longevity. Some examples:

    • Evaluation of new prismatic loupes on surgeons’ musculoskeletal discomforts, physical workload and surgical performance, in lab and the
    operating room. The project is finished in 2023, financed by AFA Insurance.
    • Design and evaluation of individual risk assessment report for surgeons, with the aim to increase surgeons’ ergonomic awareness and lay the
    foundation for further intervention.

Teaching

  • I have supervised master students both from KI (Work Environment and Health), and from KTH (Medical Engineering and Technology, Work and Health). I have also supervised visiting PhD student with finance from Erasmus+ program.

    I teach lectures and laboratory sessions in courses on ergonomics and prevention of musculoskeletal disorders.

Articles

All other publications

Grants

Employments

  • Assistant Professor, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 2025-2029
  • Postdoctoral Researcher, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 2020-2025

Degrees and Education

  • Doctor Of Philosophy, Karolinska Institutet, 2020

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