USC Biomechanics Lab: Graduate Programs

Degree Programs: Both Masters of Science and Doctor of Philosophy Degree programs are offered. Students are required to complete a thesis. Students in the program have a variety of backgrounds including engineering, physical therapy, biology, computer science, exercise science, and mathematics. Coursework and research experiences are designed to meet an individual student's needs and research direction. Graduates of the program hold clinical and/or research positions.
Teaching and Research Assistantships: Graduate students accepted into the biomechanics specialty typically receive teaching and/or research assistantships. Both provide a stipend and tuition remission. Teaching assistants are responsible for teaching laboratory experiences offered in conjunction with upper level undergraduate courses in kinesiology and biomechanics.
Academic Advisor and Director of the Biomechanics Research Laboratory: Dr. Jill L. McNitt-Gray is a biomechanist and an Associate Professor with tenure in Exercise Sciences at USC. She holds joint appointments in the Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy. She received her Ph.D. in biomechanics from The Pennsylvania State University in 1989. While at USC, Dr. McNitt-Gray and her students have developed and established a funded experimental biomechanics research/teaching laboratory. They have made significant contributions in the area of biomechanics research by publishing original investigations in reputable refereed journals and presenting research findings at national and international professional meetings. Dr. McNitt-Gray and her students have also enhanced both the un dergraduate and graduate educational experience at the University of Southern California. In 1992, Dr. McNitt-Gray received an Innovative Teaching Award from the USC Center for Excellence in Teaching and in 1995, received a grant from the National Science Foundation for Laboratory Innovation and Improvements in Biomechanics. Dr. McNitt-Gray teaches the undergraduate courses in Kinesiology and Biomechanics and graduate courses in Force, Kinematics, Intersegmental Dynamics and Neuromuscular Control of Multijoint Movements, Kinetics, Advanced Kinetics, and Quantitative Electromyography.
Research Focus: Our research at the USC Biomechanics Research Laboratory focuses on the biomechanics and neuromuscular control of multijoint movements involving dynamic interaction with the environment (e.g. jumps, landings, locomotion, falls). Our aim is to identify the underlying mechanisms humans use when:
Laboratory Facilities: The biomechanics laboratory is equipped with:
Collaboration: Collaborative research with students and colleagues has enabled us to explore related research questions in different contexts. These parallel efforts have provided a broader perspective when attempting to identify mechanisms humans use prior to, during, and after interaction with the environment. Our collaborative work with Dr. Ben Sidaway has examined the role of vision when estimating time-to-contact during landing and driving tasks. Our collaborative work with my Frank Heuser and Richard Naill has examined the neuromuscular control strategies used by musicians prior to and during tone production. Our collaborative work with Drs. Otis, Zernicke, and Loitz-Ramage has taken a prospective approach in enhancing our understanding of physiological, psychological, nutritional, and mechanical factors that may predispose an athlete to stress related injury associated with repetitive landing impact. Our collaborative work with Drs. Feltner and MacRae have taken a prospective approach identification of gait related factors that may identify older adults at risk of falling. Our collaborative work with Dr. Carolee Winstein and her students in the Department of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy at USC has focused on qualitative dynamics, and multijoint solutions used to maintain balance. Our collaborative work the Orthopaedic Research Hospital has enabled graduate students to explore functional loading of hip prostheses. Our collaborative work with the Functional Assessment Laboratory at UCLA has enabled graduate students to explore functional control of prostheses during weight acceptance and swing phases of gait.
Partial List of Refereed Publications
Examples of Grants Awarded
National Science Foundation, 1995-6: Laboratory Innovation and Improvements in Biomechanics.
International Olympic Committee- Medical Commission, 1995-6: Biomechanics of Preparatory Skills and Landings Performed by Gymnasts During the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, GA.
US Olympic Committee, 1993-6: Improvement of Mechanics During Competition using Immediate Feedback of Kinetic Information.
National Collegiate Athletic Association, 1992: Reduction of Impact Forces Experienced by Female Collegiate Athletes.
International Olympic Committee Medical Commission, 1992: 3D Analyses of Vaults Performed by Gymnasts During the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.
United States Olympic Committee, 1991: The Generation and Reduction of Momentum During Takeoff and Landing of Tumbling Skills.
National Collegiate Athletic Association, 1990-92: Stress Fracture Risk Assessment among Elite Collegiate Women Runners.
National Institute of Health Biomedical Research: Visual Estimation of Time to Contact During Driving.

McNitt-Gray, J.L.