Manuel Valdano holds a PhD in Engineering Systems Modelling from Comillas Pontifical University and is a mechanical engineer. Since 2025, he has been an Assistant Professor in the Strength of Materials course.

Since 2020, he has been involved in research projects at the university and the MOBIOS laboratory, where he conducts experimental and numerical studies using finite element simulations and multibody models.

His work focuses on impact biomechanics.

Journal Publications

M. Valdano, S. Roka, O. Martínez, F.J. López-Valdés, "Child Occupant Protection in Buses and Coaches: A Parametric Study of Restraint Systems in Frontal Crashes", Traffic Injury Prevention, doi: 10.1080/15389588.2026.2704706 In press: August 2026.
JCR-JIF: 2,100 Q3 (2025) - SJR: 0,522 Q2 (2025)
F.J. López-Valdés, E. Jokubaityte, M. Valdano, C. Rodríguez-Morcillo, C.J. Carpintero-Rubio, J.M. Asensio-Gil, J.R. Jiménez-Octavio, "Kinematics and belt loads of the pelvis of reclined female Post Mortem Human subjects in frontal impacts", Traffic Injury Prevention, doi: 10.1080/15389588.2026.2700753 In press: August 2026.
JCR-JIF: 2,100 Q3 (2025) - SJR: 0,522 Q2 (2025)
S. Tushak, M. Valdano, J. Kerrigan, F.J. López-Valdés, "Effect of Varying Child Restraint System Seatback Angle on Spinal Loading of 1.5 YO and 3 YO PIPER Human Body Models in Frontal Impacts", Eng, Vol. 7, nº. 2, pp. 61, February 2026. [Online: February 2026] doi: 10.3390/eng7020061
JCR-JIF: 2,400 Q2 (2024) - SJR: 0,590 Q2 (2025)
M. Valdano, J.R. Jiménez-Octavio, B. Pipkorn, A. Otero-Peinador, L.F. S. Merchante, F.J. López-Valdés, "Evaluation of AIS3+ car occupant injuries using deterministic and probabilistic methods in frontal crashes", Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, Vol. 27, nº. 12, pp. 1714 - 1730, September 2024. [Online: November 2023] doi: 10.1080/10255842.2023.2283692
JCR-JIF: 1,600 Q4 (2024); 1,900 Q3 (2025) - SJR: 0,398 Q3 (2024); 0,420 Q3 (2025)
J.M. Asensio-Gil, J.R. Jiménez-Octavio, A. Carnicero, M. Valdano, D. Guzmán, F.J. López-Valdés, "Numerical analysis of injuries of e-scooter riders in frontal impacts against SUVs", Results in Engineering, Vol. 21, pp. 101936, March 2024. [Online: February 2024] doi: 10.1016/j.rineng.2024.101936
JCR-JIF: 7,900 Q1 (2024); 9,400 Q1 (2025) - SJR: 1,171 Q1 (2024); 1,240 Q1 (2025)
M. Valdano, J.R. Jiménez-Octavio, F.J. López-Valdés, "The effect of seatbelt pre-tensioners and load limiters in the reduction of MAIS 2+, MAIS 3+, and fatal injuries in real-world frontal crashes", Accident Analysis & Prevention, Vol. 190, pp. 107180, September 2023. [Online: June 2023] doi: 10.1016/j.aap.2023.107180
JCR-JIF: 5,700 Q1 (2023); 7,400 Q1 (2025) - SJR: 1,897 Q1 (2023); 1,997 Q1 (2025)
C.M. Vives-Torres, M. Valdano, J.R. Jiménez-Octavio, J. Muehlbauer, S. Schick, S. Peldschus, F.J. López-Valdés, "Comparison of upper neck loading in young adult and elderly volunteers during low speed frontal impacts", Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Vol. 9, pp. 682974, 2021. [Online: June 2021] doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.682974
JCR-JIF: 6,064 Q1 (2021); 5,800 Q1 (2025) - SJR: 0,925 Q1 (2021); 1,024 Q1 (2025)

show 7 journal publications

Projects

show 9 projects

Ph.D. Thesis

Developed:

M. Valdano, "Impact of vehicle restraint systems on injury outcomes a combined approach using real-world crash data and computational modelling", PhD. dissertation, Comillas Pontifical University, Madrid, Spain, 2024.

show 1 Ph.D. Thesis

Conference Papers

show 22 conference papers

International Exchanges

Aug - Nov 2023, Simulation and Active Structures, Autoliv Development AB. Gothenburg (Sweden).

show 1 international exchanges

Invited Conferences and Seminars

Conference "Evaluation of AIS3+ car occupant injuries using deterministic and probabilistic methods in frontal crashes" 17th Workshop on Industrial Systems and Energy Technologies - JOSITE'2022. Instituto de Investigación Tecnológica. Universidad Pontificia Comillas. Madrid (Spain). Jun 2022.

show 1 invited conferences and seminars

External Training Courses

7th Advanced course on injury biomechanics. Financed by Inscripciones participantes. Jan/2019-Mar/2019

show 1 external training courses

Dr. Manuel Valdano

Journal Publications

M. Valdano, S. Roka, O. Martínez, F.J. López-Valdés, "Child Occupant Protection in Buses and Coaches: A Parametric Study of Restraint Systems in Frontal Crashes", Traffic Injury Prevention, doi: 10.1080/15389588.2026.2704706 In press: August 2026.
JCR-JIF: 2,100 Q3 (2025) - SJR: 0,522 Q2 (2025)

Projects

Analysis of the effect of the lap belt position in submarining. Carried out for Transportation Research Center Inc. Nov/2025-Jul/2026

Development of a High Dynamic Actuator (HDA) to simulate pitch and vertical acceleration in frontal impacts. Carried out for MICIU/AEI /10.13039/501100011033/ y por FEDER, UE. Oct/2024-Sep/2027

Injury mitigation to promote vision-zero achievement. Carried out for Comisión Europea. Jun/2024-May/2028

Prevention of cervical injuries of e-scooter riders. Carried out for Fundación Mapfre. Feb/2024-Jan/2025

Data processing for world health organization global status report on road safety. Carried out for World Health Organization (WHO). Sep/2023-Sep/2023

Biomechanical differences between men and women in frontal impacts. Carried out for Línea Directa. Jun/2023-Jul/2023

Analysis of the biofidelity of the cervical spine of the PIPER human body model. Carried out for L’Inglesina Baby S.p.A. Jun/2023-Mar/2024

Integration of cybersecurity and biomechanics in vehicles and traffic. Carried out for Centro de Experimentación y Seguridad Vial Mapfre S.A. Sep/2021-Apr/2022

Enable New Occupant Seating Positions. Carried out for Centre Européen d´Etudes de Sécurité et d´Analyse des Risques (CEESAR). Mar/2021-Jun/2024

Ph.D. Thesis

Developed:

M. Valdano, "Impact of vehicle restraint systems on injury outcomes a combined approach using real-world crash data and computational modelling", PhD. dissertation, Comillas Pontifical University, Madrid, Spain, 2024.

Conference Papers

W. Valdez, M. Valdano, F.J. López-Valdés, "A Retrospective Study of Evolving Vehicle Architecture on Pitch and Vertical Kinematics using NHTSA Frontal Barrier Tests.", presented at 70th AAAM Annual Scientific Conference - AAAM 2026, La Ribera, Costa Rica, 20-23 October 2026

E. Jokubaityte, M. Valdano, K. Mroz, F.J. López-Valdés, "Assessing SAFER HBM Kinematic Response Sensitivity in Frontal Impacts with Various Reclined Seating Postures", presented at International Research Council on Biomechanics of Injury - IRCOBI Europe 2026, Munich, Germany, 09-11 September 2026

W. Valdez, M. Valdano, F.J. López-Valdés, "A Retrospective Study of Evolving Vehicle Architecture on Pitch and Vertical Kinematics using NHTSA Frontal Barrier Tests", presented at International Research Council on Biomechanics of Injury - IRCOBI Europe 2026, Munich, Germany, 09-11 September 2026

F.J. López-Valdés, M. Valdano, S. Tushak, "Understanding how different child restraint system seatback angles affect spinal loading. A study with the PIPER model", presented at 23rd Protection of Children in Cars Conference - POCC 2025, Munich, Germany, 09-10 December 2025

F.J. López-Valdés, M. Valdano, S. Ferris, I. Tomasi, D. Scaldaferro, "Assessing the tensile and flexion behavior of the neck of the PIPER pediatric human body model", presented at 22nd Protection of Children in Cars Conference - POCC 2024, Munich, Germany, 09-11 December 2024

F.J. López-Valdés, S. Ferris, M. Valdano, "The influence of body weight in the performance of child restraint systems. A preliminary study with the PIPER human body model", presented at 21st Protection of Children in Cars Conference - POCC 2023, Munich, Germany, 28-30 November 2023

M. Valdano, J.R. Jiménez-Octavio, F.J. López-Valdés, B. Pipkorn, "Evaluation of serious occupant injuries using a deterministic and probabilistic method in frontal crashes", presented at 66th AAAM Annual Scientific Conference - AAAM 2022, Portland, United States of America, 11-14 October 2022

International Exchanges

Aug - Nov 2023, Simulation and Active Structures, Autoliv Development AB. Gothenburg (Sweden).

Invited Conferences and Seminars

Conference "Evaluation of AIS3+ car occupant injuries using deterministic and probabilistic methods in frontal crashes" 17th Workshop on Industrial Systems and Energy Technologies - JOSITE'2022. Instituto de Investigación Tecnológica. Universidad Pontificia Comillas. Madrid (Spain). Jun 2022.

External Training Courses

7th Advanced course on injury biomechanics. Financed by Inscripciones participantes. Jan/2019-Mar/2019

Dr. Manuel Valdano

Journal Publications

M. Valdano, S. Roka, O. Martínez, F.J. López-Valdés, "Child Occupant Protection in Buses and Coaches: A Parametric Study of Restraint Systems in Frontal Crashes", Traffic Injury Prevention, doi: 10.1080/15389588.2026.2704706 In press: August 2026. JCR-JIF: 2,100 Q3 (2025) - SJR: 0,522 Q2 (2025)

Projects

Ph.D. Thesis

Developed:

Conference Papers

International Exchanges

Aug - Nov 2023, Simulation and Active Structures, Autoliv Development AB. Gothenburg (Sweden).

Invited Conferences and Seminars

Conference "Evaluation of AIS3+ car occupant injuries using deterministic and probabilistic methods in frontal crashes" 17th Workshop on Industrial Systems and Energy Technologies - JOSITE'2022. Instituto de Investigación Tecnológica. Universidad Pontificia Comillas. Madrid (Spain). Jun 2022.

External Training Courses

M. Valdano, S. Roka, O. Martínez, F.J. López-Valdés, "Child Occupant Protection in Buses and Coaches: A Parametric Study of Restraint Systems in Frontal Crashes", Traffic Injury Prevention, doi: 10.1080/15389588.2026.2704706 In press: August 2026.
JCR-JIF: 2,100 Q3 (2025) - SJR: 0,522 Q2 (2025)