Our faculty are pursuing fascinating research avenues. See below for summaries of what they are working on!
CARDIOVASCULAR BIOMECHANICS TEAM | |
---|---|
Cardiovascular Biomechanics laboratory of Drs. Kamenskiy, Desyatova, Maleckis, and MacTaggart spans two campuses – UNO and UNMC, and studies experimental and computational vascular mechanobiology, vascular pathophysiology and aging, and develops devices and materials for open and endovascular repair. The lab integrates Engineering and Medicine through the use of in vivo, ex vivo, in vitro and in silico methods. |
CURTZE TEAM | |
---|---|
Dr. Curtze's overall research goal is to improve everyday functional mobility and prevent falls by investigating the pathophysiology of motor impairments and objectively characterizing them with new technologies |
HUNT TEAM | |
---|---|
Dr. Hunt is interested in the ways movement variability relates to movement stability and adaptability. A current focus is the role of learning in improving stability for various model systems: in humans responding to slips, in other animals like squirrels and cockroaches navigating the canopy, and in autonomous bioinspired robots. Long term goals of Dr. Hunt's research include building cognitive/biomechanical models that allow us to describe, predict and understand complex movement. |
KNARR TEAM | |
---|---|
Dr. Knarr's research focuses on gait rehabilitation and injury prevention. Using a combination of computer simulation, device development, and biomechanical testing in laboratory and outdoor environments, the ultimate goal of Dr. Knarr's research team is to bring new, improved rehabilitation to the clinical setting. Current research includes prevention of secondary osteoarthritis after total knee arthroplasty and rehabilitation after stroke. |
LIKENS TEAM | |
---|---|
Dr. Likens’ research team (with Dr. Stergiou as a member and co-leader) focus on gait rehabilitation and falls prevention. Using a combination of computer modelling, portable device development, and nonlinear analysis of movement variability from data collected in the laboratory and outdoor environments, the ultimate goal of this research team is to bring new, improved rehabilitation right at home. Current projects include a) how sensory information and movement are coordinated in a variety of tasks such as walking, standing, running, and sitting, b) team movement coordination during practice and play, c) variability of biorhythms (e.g. heart rate, walking), and d) optimization of human performance through principles of movement variability. |
MALCOLM TEAM | |
---|---|
The team of Dr. Malcolm focuses on using biomechanics to optimize wearable robots as well as using these wearable robots to better understand walking biomechanics. Our long term goals are to gain new insights by leveraging the capability of wearable robots to act on specific phases and to develop more clinically feasible optimization methods. Ongoing projects include hip exoskeleton and a waist tether optimization, modular footwear design, and metabolic cost estimation. |
MARMELAT TEAM | |
---|---|
Dr. Marmelat's research team explores 1) the effect of external rhythms (such as music) on brain activity and movement rhythmicity; 2) the neuromechanisms underlying locomotor control, and the effect of attention on gait; and 3) the effect of inter-personal coordination (moving with someone else) on brain and movement dynamics. We use a variety of equipment such as electroencephalography (EEG), functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), 3D-motion capture, inertial motion units (IMUs) or instrumented insoles. Our long-term goal is to better understand the interactions between the brain, the body and the environment, and to improve mobility and motor function in patients with Parkinson's disease and other neurological disorders. |
MUKHERJEE TEAM | |
---|---|
Dr. Mukherjee's research team is involved with investigating how structured sensory feedback can augment motor control and learning in diverse populations. They explore both static and dynamic tasks that include balance control, gait and reaching movements. |
MYERS TEAM | |
---|---|
Dr. Myers' research team aims to improve physical function and quality of life in elderly and in individuals with movement related pathologies. Additionally, we work on developing rehabilitation paradigms to restore physical function or prevent declines related with fall risk, cognitive problems, or occupational risks. We are particularly interested in how human movement variability can provide insights for healthy and pathological movement. |
TAKAHASHI TEAM | |
---|---|
Dr. Takahashi’s team aims to uncover the fundamental principles governing mechanics and energetics of human locomotion. They integrate state-of-the-art motion analysis tools (e.g., high-speed cameras, imaging, indirect calorimetry) to understand both healthy and pathological gait. Using these insights, their goal is to improve the design and prescription of assistive devices (e.g., prosthetics, orthotics, footwear) to maximize rehabilitation. |
ZUNIGA TEAM | |
---|---|
Dr. Zuniga's research focuses on the development of low-cost 3D printed prosthetics, orthotics, and assistive devices for children. Dr. Zuniga and his research team developed a low-cost 3D printed prosthetic hand for children named Cyborg Beast. The Cyborg Beast was named one of the best inventions of 2014 by MSN.com. Dr. Zuniga's long term goal is to help disabled children to reach normal growth and development of motor skills by encouraging active participation in sports and other recreational activities through the development of new low-cost 3D printed prosthetic, orthotic, and assistive devices. |