His research focuses on the effects of mechanical forces, exercise, diseases, and implanted devices on the human skeleton. Dr. Carpenter enrolled as an undergraduate in mechanical engineering at Georgia Tech because, like many mechanical engineers, he loved cars. After learning about the field of biomechanical engineering, he gave up the automotive chassis in exchange for the skeleton. After completing his undergraduate work, he went on to obtain his M.S. and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering at Stanford University. His graduate thesis work focused on the ways in which mechanical forces can guide bones to grow into different shapes.