UNO Receives $6 Million NIH Award to Advance Human Movement Variability Research

💪 What’s new:

• The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) has received a $6 million award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to continue its groundbreaking work at the Center for Research in Human Movement Variability (MOVCENTR).
• This new phase of funding, awarded through the NIH’s National Institute of General Medical Sciences, supports UNO’s continued leadership in biomechanics and biomedical research.
• Led by Nikolaos “Nick” Stergiou, Ph.D., assistant dean and director of MOVCENTR, the center’s researchers aim to deepen understanding of neuromuscular adaptability and develop innovative, mechanism-based therapies that restore optimal movement in individuals with disorders affecting coordination and balance.

💡 Why it matters:

• Altered movement variability is increasingly linked to disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, and stroke-related impairments.
• By understanding the mechanics behind these changes, researchers can design targeted interventions that restore healthy movement patterns.
• The research also has far-reaching applications for injury prevention, rehabilitation, and performance optimization in athletes and aging populations.
• MOVCENTR’s success has positioned UNO as a global leader in biomechanics, driving innovation that directly improves human health and quality of life.

🔎 Zoom in: MOVCENTR was first established in 2016 with support from the NIH’s Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) program. Over its first two phases:

• The Center helped create UNO’s Department of Biomechanics, the university’s first research-focused academic department.
• Faculty affiliated with the Center secured more than $54 million in additional research funding, fueling a 36% average annual increase in UNO’s research portfolio.
• Since 2019, the Center’s work has generated an estimated $27.5 million economic impact in the Omaha area—a return of about $2.80 for every $1 invested by the NIH.

Housed in UNO’s Biomechanics Research Building, the first facility in the nation dedicated solely to biomechanics research and created with the generous philanthropic support led by the Ruth and Bill Scott family, MOVCENTR’s world-class laboratories allow scientists to study movement at every level, from cells to full-body motion.

The ultimate goal: to translate scientific discoveries into new therapies that restore adaptability in the human body.

🎤 What they’re saying:

• Nikolaos “Nick” Stergiou, Ph.D., Assistant Dean and Director of MOVCENTR: “This continued investment from the NIH is a testament to the transformative work happening at UNO. Our goal is to restore variability in human movement—to help people move, adapt, and live healthier lives.”
• Neal Grandgenett, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences: “The continued success of MOVCENTR reflects UNO’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of discovery through collaboration and innovation. This kind of research not only advances our understanding of human movement but also creates transformative opportunities for students to engage in science that directly improves lives.

🧾 Grant award information:

• Funding source: National Institutes of Health (NIH) – National Institute of General Medical Sciences
• Project title: Center for Research in Human Movement Variability
• Award number: 1P30GM159554
• NuRamp number: UNO-00068328
• Principal investigator: Nikolaos “Nick” Stergiou, Ph.D.
• Funding period: August 2025 – July 2030