Testimonials

JESSIE HUISINGA, Ph.D.

• "As a mentor and a friend, Dr. Stergiou is solely responsible for
  shaping my current and future scientific career and for showing
  me the impact of a dedicated mentor. He is totally committed
  to helping each of his students meet their goals through both a 
  rigorous graduate training program and through an
  understanding to each persons individual needs. Dr. Stergiou is
  truly selfless in the giving of his time and talents to providing
  a supportive and exciting research environment for his
  students.
  
  While I hope to be the type of mentor and advisor to my
  future students that Dr. Stergiou was for me, I think that such
  a remarkable person is impossible to replicate."
• 
  
  Dr. Huisinga is an Assistant Professor in the Department of
  Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science in the Landon
  Center on Aging at Kansas University Medical Center.

TROY RAND, M.S.

• "Completing my Masters Degree at the Nebraska Biomechanics
  Core Facility was one of the best decisions I have made. The
  atmosphere in the lab was very collaborative and the mentoring
  is excellent. It was a lot of hard work, taking many
  interdisciplinary classes, attending reading clubs, working on
  research projects, and teaching classes. The payoff was great,
  though, as this really strengthened my CV and set me up to be
  successful in my Ph.D. training."
• 
  
  Troy is currently completing his Doctoral Degree under the
  supervision of Dr. Mukherjee.

ANASTASIA KYVELIDOU, Ph.D.

• "I would like to thank, from the bottom of my heart, Dr. Nick
  Stergiou, who has been my mentor during my master and
  doctorate years. As a result of his knowledge and guidance I
  have a much better understanding of our discipline. I have
  learned so much from him that it is difficult to put into words
  how grateful I am for his time invested in me in becoming a
  successful academician and researcher. I wish that every
  student is as fortunate as me to be mentored by such a
  wonderful person and dedicated scientist!"
• 
  
  Dr. Kyvelidou continued her research as a postdoctoral fellow
  at Northeastern University and at the University of Nebraska
  at Omaha and has returned to the Biomechanics Research
  Building as an Assistant Professor.

JOHN CAREY, M.S., CSCS, CPT

• "The combination of coursework, research, and teaching
  experience I received at the NBCF has been invaluable to my
  career. I had the opportunity to teach several undergraduate
  courses, as well as build a research resume through individual
  and Lab-based projects. Grant preparation, article writing,
  and presentation skills were also developed as part of these
  projects."
• 
  
  Jon is currently a full-time lecturer at Purdue University in the
  Nutrition Sciences/Health & Kinesiology department.

ELENA KOKKONI, M.S.

• "I am grateful to my mentor, Dr. Stergiou, for shaping my
  future and showing me the path toward a successful career in
  Academia. During the two years of my Master’s degree, I was
  exposed to quality research and gained great knowledge on
  the field. In addition, Dr. Stergiou taught me how to set and
  pursue my goals, while at the same time offering me the tools
  for accomplishing them. 
  
  This invaluable experience has been proven beneficial for the
  next steps in my professional development, and I owe that to
  Dr. Stergiou and the outstanding team of the Nebraska
  Biomechanics Core Facility."
• 
  
  Elena is currently finishing her Ph.D. at the University of
  Delaware.

JIM CAVANAUGH, Ph.D.

• "Of all my mentors and advisors, Dr. Stergiou clearly stands
  alone as the most consistent and influential positive force in
  my professional development. Dr. Stergiou clearly is 
  motivated by his love of teaching, sense of duty, and
  dedication to scholarly developments of others."
• 
  
  Dr. Cavanaugh is currently an Associate Professor at the
  University of New England in Maine.

BETH SMITH, PT, DPT, Ph.D.

• "As a committee member for my Ph.D. dissertation, Nick
  played a very large role in shaping my scientific career, and
  he continues to do so as a collaborator. I especially value his
  willingness to answer my questions. He always does so with
  patience, demonstrating a true desire and enthusiasm for
  helping me better understand nonlinear analyses. I would not
  be able to pursue my research interests without the training
  and support he has provided over the years."
• 
  
  Dr. Smith is an Assistant Professor at the University of
  Southern California in the Division of Biokinesiology and
  Physical Therapy.

REGINA T. HARBOURNE, PT, Ph.D.

• "I know of no other faculty member who would support and
  mentor a professional in another discipline as Nick supported
  me. He has supported and mentored me in designing research,
  writing and submitting grants, and publishing scientific papers. 
  To me, that is the test of a truly excellent mentor: someone
  who helps and guides another individual's development without
  regard to their own personal goals."
• 
  
  Dr. Harbourne continues to work as a physical therapist at the
  University of Nebraska Medical Center. She maintains an active
  research line.

JEREMY J. HOUSER, Ph.D.

• "In my entire collegiate career, Dr. Stergiou has been the
  most effective and caring professor I have encountered. He
  challenged me intellectually and nurtured me. He provided an
  environment that was supportive, yet open to thinking for
  oneself and learning from one's own mistakes. Dr. Stergiou is
  responsible for my professional success. I only hope that I
  can provide my students/advisees the same amount of love,
  respect and intellectual challenges that Dr. Stergiou has
  provided me."
• 
  
  Dr. Houser is currently an Associate Professor in the
  Department of Anatomy at the Kirksville College of
  Osteopathic Medicine.

Megan Catlett, University of Nebraska Omaha

• • • "I could not have asked for a better experience at
    • the Biomechanics Research Building. I loved having
    • a job during college that understood the importance
    • of what it meant to be a student first. I am so
    • grateful for the experiences I was given, the
    • mentors I learned from, and the friends I made as a
    • result of working here. Without a doubt the BRB
    • assisted in preparing me for professional school as
    • well as my future career as an Occupational Therapist."

• 
  
  Megan received her Bachelor of Science in Physical
• Education with a Concentration in Exercise Science
• in Spring 2016 and will be pursuing her Doctorate
• of Occupational Therapy from Creighton starting
• in the Fall of 2016.

Madeline Holscher, University of Nebraska Omaha

• "My experience at the BRB was one that I will
• never take for granted. I felt like I was learning
• something new every day from some of the best
• scientists in the country. I never thought I would
• enjoy research as much as I have and I owe it all
• to the people I worked with and the guidance
• of my mentors."
• 
  
  Madeline received her Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience
• in Spring 2016 and will be pursuing her Doctorate of
• Physical  Therapy from Northern Arizona University
• in Flagstaff, AZ.

CHRISTOPHER CUNNINGHAM, University of Nebraska at Lincoln

• "My name is Christopher Cunningham and I am a Biological
• Systems Engineering student at UNL. Since I have started
• college, I have wanted to invent and develop prosthetic
• devices. An internship at the Biomechanics Research
• Building was a perfect fit for me. During my internship
• at UNO, I experienced what it truly meant to be an
• engineer and a researcher. My mentors taught me how
• to utilize and hone the skills that I have acquired in
• my college career, and introduced me to new coding
• languages, software, and hardware that I learned
• how to use and will one day master. But the most
• rewarding feeling of my experience was realizing that
• even as an intern, my efforts will one day help make
• someone’s life better. The staff at the biomechanics
• building inspired me to expand my horizons and further
• my education, so I can one day help make this world
• a little bit better." 

WILL DENTON, University of Nebraska at Lincoln

• "I had a great internship at the Nebraska Biomechanics
  Core Facility. Over the summer (2013), I learned about
  the technology and research methods used in biomechanics
  from both a research and subject standpoint. Learning how
  to operate the motion capture systems and other devices
  was an experience that most people do not have a chance
  to learn. The lab is filled with amazing people and it was
  great to see them move to a new, state-of-the-art building.
  On multiple occasions, Dr. Stergiou pointed out the academic
  diversity of the lab; it was shocking, almost everyone was
  from a different undergraduate background. I think this
  diversity is what causes the biomechanics program to thrive.
  
  Remarkable things are happening here, and I am excited to 
  see the continued expansion of the program. I encourage
  anyone who is interested in biomechanics to visit the new
  Biomechanics Research Building and see for yourself."
• 
  
  Will is now pursuing his Master's Degree at the
  Biomechanics Research Building.

BEN FISCHER, Creighton University

• "My time at UNO/the BRB has greatly exceeded my
  expectations. The entire staff has been so welcoming! In
  terms of professional development, I could not have asked
  for more, as I have learned plenty about research and its
  design while studying under some of the best in their field.
  The work ethic of those at UNO has shown me what it takes
  to excel in today's science. Professional networking has also
  been a perk while at the lab, as I have had the chance to 
  discuss important decisions in my future with those who
  have already gone through a similar process. I will
  remember my time at UNO/the BRB as challenging and
  rewarding at the same time."
• 
  
  Ben graduated in May 2014 and was accepted into the
  Medical School at both Creighton University and the
  University of Nebraska Medical Center.

KATHLEEN KENDAL, University of Nebraska at Lincoln

• "The summer I spent interning at the UNO Biomechanics
  Research Building was a one-of-a-kind learning experience.
  Not only was I working with and learning from extremely
  intelligent faculty, staff, and students, but the facilities and
  technology available were state-of-the-art, as well. I was 
  especially impressed by the collaboration of people from
  diverse academic backgrounds being able to generate such a
  comprehensive effort in the research and analysis of human
  movement. Their hard work and dedication are making
  amazing strides in biomechanics, and I felt truly privileged 
  to be a small part of it."

• KATHRYN MATTES, South Dakota State University

• "I spent my final undergraduate semester (spring 2016) at
• UNO/the BRB and could not have been more grateful for
• the opportunity. Each and every individual was welcoming
• and more than helpful in terms of learning programs,
• equipment, and explaining concepts. I took on
• responsibilities in projects, allowing me to feel involved
• rather than just an observer. My sense of curiosity grew and
• I became less afraid to ask questions and find answers. The
• most practical skill I improved upon is utilizing previous
• research and critically analyzing studies. This will certainly
• give me a leg up in graduate school. I would highly
• recommend this internship to any individual interested in
• the human body in motion, especially if he or she is planning
• to attend graduate school."

• Lindsey Remski, Grand Valley State University

• "Spending my final semester of undergrad
• as an intern at the UNO Biomechanics
• Research Building was everything I had
• hoped for in an internship and more.
• Working with the students and faculty at
• the BRB, I became much more familiar
• with research methods used in biomechanics
• and was able to practice them through
• assisting with various projects.
• The resources that the department has to
• offer are uncomparable and being able
• to learn from the people here is
• something that I am very thankful for.
• I am excited to continue to use the
• skills that I acquired here in graduate
• school and would highly recommend
• the BRB as an internship site to anyone
• who is interested in biomechanics research."

• Jenna Ackerman, University of Nebraska Kearney

•  
• "I was fortunate enough to spend
• the last semester of my undergraduate
• degree (Spring 2019) at the UNO
• Biomechanics Research Facility.
• Coming into this internship, I had
• a very general knowledge of what
• biomechanics was and how it can
• be applied to the real world. Learning
• from and working with Dr. Knarr, and
• the many other professionals in this
• building, was an experience that I could
• not have gotten anywhere else. My
• favorite part of this internship was
• having the responsibility of working on
• my own projects throughout the
• semester. This gave me the
• opportunity to grow not only in my
• knowledge of biomechanics-learning
• the process of collecting data, different
• programs, and new equipment- but
• also in my critical thinking skills. The
• relationships and professionalism that
• I built through this internship are
• two things that I will carry with me
• throughout my future endeavors and
• I can’t say thank you enough for that."

DENISE MCGRATH, Ph.D.

• "Having attended the NBCF Nonlinear Analysis Summer
  Workshop in 2011, I was very impressed with Dr. Stergiou's
  team and laboratory environment and was eager to become a
  part of it. Afew months later, I left my research position in
  Ireland, and I joined the lab as a postdoctoral researcher. I
  was quickly assimilated into this dynamic working environment,
  where I bounced from one learning opportunity to the next,
  from lively weekly reading clubs that served as a breeding
  ground for new ideas, to semester-long courses on diverse
  aspects of becoming a successful academic, delivered by
  Dr. Stergiou himself. During my time at NBCF, Dr. Stergiou
  strongly encouraged me to generate my own research 
  questions; questions that I am still pursuing in my current role
  as lecturer at University College Dublin. I continue to enjoy a
  strong collaborative relationship and friendship with Dr. Stergiou
  and his team."
• 
  
  Dr. McGrath is currently a lecturer at University College Dublin.

SHI-HYUN PARK, Ph.D.

• "After getting my Ph.D. at Penn State, I joined the NBCF as a
  postdoc in 2009. With the NBCF, my research competency
  quicky grew in experience as an engineer and as a scientist with
  the best colleagues and advanced facilities. I believe that the
  NBCF will rise high as one of the best biomechanics research
  and education centers in the world."
• 
  
  Dr. Park is now a professor at Yuhan University in South Korea.
  His research area is in ergonomics, and he continues to
  collaborate with Dr. Stergiou and the BRB.

LESLIE DECKER, Ph.D.

• "My post-doc experience at the Nebraska Biomechanics Core
  Facility under the mentorship of Prof. Nick Stergiou has been
  a great stepping stone in my career. I had the opportunity to
  work with undergraduate and graduate students and post-docs
  from all over the world on various exciting projects ranging from
  basic to clinical and translational, including R&D projects.
  Prof. Stergiou pushed me to a new edge I would have never
  approached without his encouragement and support.
  
  Among the greatest experiences were discovering and sharing
  my passion for mentoring international students in research,
  establishing an original research and training agenda, supported
  by the NIH through a K99, meeting top researchers, physicians
  and R&D engineers and creating long-term collaboration plans
  with many of them. My post-doc experiencewill always remain
  an unforgettable period of my life from the personal and
  professional standpoint."
• 
  
  Dr. Decker is now at the University of Caen Basse-Normandie
  (UCBN) as Assistant Professor. She is teaching at the UFR
  STAPS (Exercise Science program) and performs research at
  the laboratory U1075 (UMR INSERM & UCBN).

WHITNEY KORGAN

• "I can't imagine being given a better opportunity than what
  I was given in the Biomechanics Research Building. All of
  the faculty were available and not only willing, but
  encouraging in getting you dedicated to a research project
  and involved in leading your own project. Dr. Stergiou is a
  very driven individual, and his passion and love for the field
  is contagious. Because of all the doors he and everyone in
  the lab has opened for me, I am able to continue my
  education at Washington University in St. Louis. I couldn't
  be more thankful for being welcomed into such a
  hardworking, successful bunch of scientists."
• 
  
  Whitney continued her education at Washington University
  in their Physical Therapy Department. She was able to
  secure a graduate assistantship, as well.

ERIN FOSNAUGH

• "Mentorship is a balance between instruction and personal
  creativity. After working here as an undergraduate
  assistant for three years, I can't imagine a better mentor
  than Dr. Stergiou. He is a one-of-a-kind expert
  biomechanist who has also mastered the art of scientific
  mentorship. These two qualities are a rare combination in
  one person, and I can confidently say that I wouldn't be as
  prepared for the next level if I didn't work in this lab. 
  Perhaps the most indisposable aspect of the lab is the
  team of students that Dr. Stergiou recruits and retains. 
  
  I've had the pleasure of working with several outstanding
  intern, graduate, doctoral and post-doctoral students who
  have served as excellent role models and teachers. There
  was always someone I could go to for questions and
  feedback."
• 
  
  After working at the BRB, Erin went on to medical school.
  Erin graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical
  School with her MD in 2014.

AUSTIN DAVIDSON

• "Working in the NBCF was an outstanding experience that
  was both exciting and beneficial. The experiences and
  knowledge I gained from my time there as an undergrad
  volunteer set me up well for my future. While applying for
  admittance to Physician’s Assistant programs across the
  US, I have received many compliments regarding the
  competitiveness of my resumé as a result of opportunities
  from working in the NBCF."
• 
  
  Austin has continued working in research as a laboratory
  technician at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
  He is currently applying to schools to become a Physician's
  Assistant.

BRYAN ARNOLD

• "I have had a great experience working in the
  biomechanics lab.  I started out volunteering and was
  eventually offered a position as a laboratory technician. I
  have been able to assist on research projects studying
  infants with cerebral palsy, stroke patients, and patients
  with peripheral arterial disease. The lab has also funded 
  me to travel to several conferences to present my work.
  The research experience I have gained has been a great
  way to build my resumé as well as network with professors
  before applying to graduate school."