Faculty: Biomechanics

John H. Challis
Professor of Kinesiology
Research Interests: Measurement and simulation modeling of the human musculo-skeletal system, with the aim of examining the role, function, and coordination of muscle in vivo. Development of improved biomechanical measurement protocols.
Robert B. Eckhardt
Professor of Developmental Genetics and Evolutionary Morphology
Research Interests: Interaction of genetic and environmental influences on growth and development in human populations; musculo-skeletal structures are of primary interest. Current study techniques emphasize computer imaging and analysis of two-dimensional and three-dimensional data representing anatomical structures. Particular emphasis is placed on integration of molecular and morphological perspectives on development.
Jinger S. Gottschall
Assistant Professor of Kinesiology
Research Interests: My research is an integrative and innovative study of legged locomotion. I combine the disciplines of cardiovascular physiology, neuromuscular physiology, and mechanical engineering in order to understand how humans and other animals walk and run. Specifically, the overall objective of my laboratory is to assess how we initiate and transition between changing environments such as downhill and uphill terrains.
Mark L. Latash
Distinguished Professor of Kinesiology
Research Interests: Control and coordination of multi-element systems participating in the production of voluntary movements. Equilibrium-point hypothesis of motor control. Control of posture, multi-joint reaching, finger coordination, and other motor tasks. The neurophysiological mechanisms of the production of voluntary movements. Changes in motor control and coordination with age, neurological disorder, and rehabilitation.
Stephen J. Piazza
Associate Professor of Kinesiology
Research Interests: Development of computational tools for investigation of joint mechanics; computer simulation applied to the study of normal and pathological human gait; mechanical effects of surgical procedures intended to alter joint and muscle function; mechanics of total joint replacements.
Robert Sainburg
Associate Professor of Kinesiology
Research Interests: Neural mechanisms underlying control of multijoint arm movements in humans. We combine both psychophysical experiments and biomechanical simulations to determine the neural processes responsible for coordinating the complex mechanics of the musculoskeletal system. Studies in patients with neurological lesions are conducted to determine the contributions of specific neural structures to control.
Neil A. Sharkey
Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Education; Professor of Kinesiology, Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation
Research Interests: Functional aspects of the musculoskeletal system viewed from an orthopaedic perspective; normal, pathologic, and reconstructed function of bones and joints; mechanisms of injury to bone, ligament, and tendon and associated healing responses; laboratory modeling of skeletal and diarthroidal joint loading; internal biomechanical behavior of the foot and ankle, knee, hip and shoulder.
Vladimir Zatsiorsky
Professor of Kinesiology
Research Interests: Biomechanical basis of motor control, in particular biomechanics of hand and finger function and balance maintenance. Sport biomechanics. Science of training athletes, especially strength training.