UNO Biomechanics and Kinesiology Doctoral Program Ranked in Nation’s Top 10

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) Biomechanics and Health & Kinesiology joint Ph.D. program is now in the same company as some of the nation’s top research universities.

What’s new: UNO’s doctoral program in biomechanics and kinesiology ranked No. 10 in the nation in the National Academy of Kinesiology’s (NAK) 2026 Doctoral Program Evaluation unadjusted rankings.

Why it matters: The evaluation compared 39 participating U.S. doctoral programs using data from 2023 through 2025. Other programs in the top 10 include:

• Florida State University
• University of Texas at Austin
• University of Wisconsin-Madison
• University of Georgia
• Penn State University

Zoom in: Faculty and students in the joint Ph.D. program in the Department of Biomechanics and Department of Health & Kinesiology work at the intersection of cardiovascular biomechanics, human movement, health, and performance, advancing interdisciplinary research to understand human physiology, prevent and treat disease, and improve quality of life.

• NAK's ranking reflects the overall scale of activity taking place across a program, including research production, funding, student scholarship, student support, and career outcomes.
• UNO rose to No. 10 in the 2026 unadjusted ranking after placing No. 20 in the previous evaluation.

The numbers:

• Federal funding: 92nd percentile
• Internal funding: 92nd percentile
• Doctoral student journal Articles: 82nd percentile
• Students receiving full support: 88th percentile

What they’re saying:

• Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, UNO Chancellor: “UNO continues to earn its place among the nation's leading research universities through academic excellence, innovative research, and a relentless commitment to student success. This top ranking sends the message that Omaha is a destination for world-class talent, groundbreaking research, and educational opportunities that rival the best in the nation.”
• Phil He, Ph.D., Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs: “Academic excellence at UNO means hands-on learning, meaningful research opportunities, and close collaboration between students and faculty. Our doctoral students work alongside exceptional faculty on research that addresses real-world challenges, gaining valuable experience that prepares them to become leaders in their fields. This national recognition reflects the quality of that experience and our commitment to putting students at the center of everything we do.”
• Neal Grandgenett, Ph.D., Lois G. Roskens Dean of the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences: “I am incredibly proud of how far this program has come and the national reputation it has earned. I want to extend my sincere thanks to the faculty, students, staff, and university leaders, past and present, who have helped build this program into what it is today. Their contributions have elevated the college’s profile and established a strong foundation for even greater success in the years ahead.”
• Danae Dinkel, Ph.D., School of Health and Kinesiology Professor and Doctoral Program Chair: “Being recognized among the nation’s top 10 doctoral programs is an exciting milestone that highlights the exceptional work of our faculty and students and the strength of the collaborative, research-focused environment we’ve built at UNO.”
• Adam Rosen, Ph.D., School of Health and Kinesiology Director and Professor: “Being recognized as one of the nation’s top 10 kinesiology doctoral programs is a tremendous accomplishment for UNO. It reflects the talent of our faculty and students, the strength of our research, and the momentum we’ve built as a program. We’re excited about where we’re going and the opportunity to continue building UNO into one of the country’s leading programs in kinesiology and biomechanics.”
• Alexey Kamenskiy, Ph.D., Department of Biomechanics Chair and Professor: “This national recognition reflects the strength of the biomechanics research program we have built at UNO and the value of our collaborations across the University of Nebraska system and beyond. Our faculty and doctoral students are advancing impactful research across cardiovascular biomechanics, human movement, and health, attracting competitive funding and producing high-quality scholarship. I am particularly proud of the research environment we have created and the opportunities it provides for our students to become the next generation of scientific leaders.”

Related: Read more about the research and hands-on learning powered by the Biomechanics and Health & Kinesiology joint Ph.D. program in the UNO News Center:

• UNO Receives $11 Million NIH Grant to Combat Cardiovascular Diseases
• NIH-Backed Project Investigating Heat Therapy as a Long COVID Treatment
• UNO Receives $6 Million NIH Award to Advance Human Movement Variability Research
• Is Your Brain Preventing You From Recovering From an Ankle Injury?
• Omaha Athletics Unveils New Operations Supporting Holistic Development of Maverick Student-Athletes