I was born and grew up in the suburbia of Cleveland, and at 18 decided the weather was just not depressing enough and headed Ithaca, NY, to study mechanical engineering at Cornell University. Since I have always been very active in sports and fitness in general, concentrating in understanding mechanics applied to humans was a natural fit. After taking a semester detour into warmer weather in Sydney, Australia, I returned to my progression into colder climates by completing my master’s degree from the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden. However, I realized I personally couldn’t study biomechanics very well in the dark, so I’ve learned my last and am now working on doctoral studies at the University of Southern California in sunny Los Angeles.
I am primarily interested in studying and modeling full body movement and understanding how humans control and redirect momentum during athletic tasks. For instance it is of interest to know how athletes perform cutting movements between different ground surfaces, muscle strengths, and other variations. It is of further interest to study the best methods to apply this knowledge, i.e. optimal learning and interaction techniques with a subject in order to improve performance and/or reduce risk of injury.
I am interested in becoming an ISB student representative because I’d like there to be more interactions (whether social or educational) between students in the field of biomechanics, and I think I could make that happen. I suppose I could say that my experience living in other cultures (Australia, Sweden, & Brazil) is of value, but really I think my unique perspectives and lack of shame would be important in stimulating the student community out of apathy.
In terms of improving the connection between the ISB and student members, I will try to work only a few ideas. Mainly, my goal is to improve the interaction between students who study in the field of biomechanics. I will work on developing an online network for students to interact with one another and without many formalities. With this tool I expect a better social network to develop between students, and consequently, a culture will develop in which students can discuss their areas of research and other ideas in biomechanics with each other and without pressure. I believe collaboration with ISB can be used in a variety of ways to promote and solidify these ideas. Regardless of whether I am officially involved as student representative, I will work on these ideas.
