Rehabilitation Sciences PhD students
Our primary investigators mentor students in the Movement Science and Disorders concentration of the Rehabilitation Sciences PhD program. We use an apprenticeship model where doctoral students work closely with a faculty member to develop research, scholarship, and independent thinking skills.
Physical Therapy Students
Graduate assistantships are awarded each year to work under the supervision of the faculty members conducting research in the HMAL. Typically, graduate assistants assist with data collection, data analysis, and presentation of results at local, state, and national research conferences.
Thank you to our 2019-20 graduate assistants!
Undergraduate Assistants
Undergraduate students in exercise physiology or engineering have the opportunity to complete an internship in the HMAL during their final semester of undergraduate studies. These students participate in data collection, data analysis, and presentations at local research conferences.
Students interested in an internship should contact John Willson (willsonj@ecu.edu), Stacey Meardon (meardons@ecu.edu), or Ryan Wedge (wedger@ecu.edu) for more information.
Student Presentations (Student names underlined)
National/International
2021
McRae D, Ogden E, Durland AD, Lin CC. Using Computerized Balance Error Scoring System As Baseline Concussion Testing in Collegiate Dance Majors . APTA Combined Sections Meeting. Orlando, FL.
Meardon SA, Marshall M, Willson JD, Stubbs LD, Willy RW. Gait Modification Effects on Subject-Specific Tibia Stress during Running in Males and Females. APTA Combined Sections Meeting. Orlando, FL.
Meardon SA, Donahue A, Tharrington KE, Becker A, DiLiberto FE, Willson JD. Ankle Joint Loads during Triple Hop Landing in Persons with Chronic Ankle Instability . APTA Combined Sections Meeting. Orlando, FL.
Newnam A, Yeomans C, Meardon SA, Willson JD. Inertial Sensor Predictions of Patellofemoral Joint Kinetics during Running. APTA Combined Sections Meeting. Orlando, FL.
Shaw J, Sylcott B, Wu R, Guan S, Lin CC. Comparing Brain Activity between Sitting and Standing Positions during Optic Flow and Auditory Cognitive Tasks. APTA Combined Sections Meeting. Orlando, FL.
Skutka A, Horn RJ, Kenny SA, Blount EM, Meardon SA, O’Brien K, Lin CC. Identify Fall-Specific Somatosensory Thresholds (FaSST) for Improving Steadi Fall Risk Screening Algorithm: Preliminary Data Analysis. APTA Combined Sections Meeting. Orlando, FL.
Wesiss ML, Best JF, Gross McMillan A. Influence of Maternal Exercise during Pregnancy on Infants’ Neuromotor Skills across the First Year. APTA Combined Sections Meeting. Orlando, FL.
Yeomans C, Newman AP, Meardon SA, Willson JD. Inertial Sensor Predictions of Medial Tibiofemoral Joint Kinetics during Walking. APTA Combined Sections Meeting. Orlando, FL.
2020
Jennifer Shaw, Brian Sylcott, Shanyue Guan, Sarah Wills, Malack AlHuman, Chia-Cheng Lin. Effect of Optic Flow Speeds with Concurrent Cognitive Tasks on Prefrontal and Vestibular Cortex Activity. APTA Combined Sections Meeting. Denver, CO.
Kristen Edmonds, John Willson, Stacey Meardon. Tibial Stress during High Intensity Interval Training and Prolonged Running. APTA Combined Sections Meeting. Denver, CO.
Stacey Meardon, Maggie Marshall, Michael Baggaley, John Willson, Richard Willy. Tibia Stress during Walking and Running in Female and Male Recreational Runners. APTA Combined Sections Meeting. Denver, CO.
Abigail Donahue, Maggie Marshall, John Willson, Stacey Meardon. Health Related Consequences of Bone Stress Injury in Adolescents and Young Adults. APTA Combined Sections Meeting. Denver, CO.
John Willson, Kendall Taylor, Renn Shearin, Drew Rutherford, Stacey Meardon, Thomas Kernozek. Sex-Specific ACL Loads during Dynamic Sport Activities. APTA Combined Sections Meeting. Denver, CO.
Caroline Yeomans, Andrew Newnam, Josh Schiemann, Alex Fox, John Willson. Surface Effects and 3D Outdoor Running Kinematics. APTA Combined Sections Meeting. Denver, CO.
2019
Robinson E, Flaherty J, Ng K, Willson JD, Bair W-N, Lin C-C. (2019) The effect of aging on brain activity in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and supplementary motor area during three different gait speed walking tasks. APTA Combined Sections Meeting. Washington, DC.
Flaherty J, Ng K, Robinson E, Willson JD, Bair W-N, Lin C-C. (2019) The Correlation between the gait/balance performance and Self-Reported Physical Activity Level. APTA Combined Sections Meeting. Washington, DC.
Willson JD, Taylor K, Meardon SA. (2019) Hip joint contact force asymmetry during running following ACL reconstruction. APTA Combined Sections Meeting. Washington, DC.
Willson JD, Hayes B, Meardon SA. (2019) Patellofemoral joint kinetics in males and females during exercises associated with return to play. APTA Combined Sections Meeting. Washington, DC.
Campbell C, Willson JD, Meardon SA. (2019) Hip Joint Loads Associated with High Intensity Interval Training. APTA Combined Sections Meeting. Washington, DC.
Meardon SA, Edmonds K, Willson JD. (2019) Ankle Joint Loads during Routine Training Activities. APTA Combined Sections Meeting. Washington, DC.
Morrissette MA, Willy RW, Blaylock NR, Meardon SA. (2019) Altered Coordination Strategies During Running Following Partial Meniscectomy. APTA Combined Sections Meeting. Washington, DC.
2018
Meardon SA, Bartol K, Chilton M, Mazyck C, Willson J. (2018) Running Intensity and Tibial Bone Stress. APTA Combined Sections Meeting. New Orleans, LA.
Campbell C, Willy R, Willson J, Meardon SA. (2018) Step Width affects Hip Contact Forces during Running. APTA Combined Sections Meeting. New Orleans, LA.
Rachel H, Lin C-C, Blanton C, Huppert T, Sparto P. (2018) The Aging effect on brain hemodynamic changes during four different walking tasks – a functional Near-Infrared Spectrometry study. APTA Combined Sections Meeting. New Orleans, LA.
Blanton C, Lin C-C, Hudson R, Huppert T, Sparto P. (2018) The effect of aging on brain activity during different visual sensory integration balance conditions- a functional Near-Infrared Spectrometry study. APTA Combined Sections Meeting. New Orleans, LA.
Geddes A, Willy RW, Willson JD. (2018) Derivation of a clinical estimate of Achilles tendon load during running. APTA Combined Sections Meeting. New Orleans, LA.
Hollingsworth CN, Meardon SA, Willson JD. (2018) Patellofemoral joint loads associated with high intensity interval training. APTA Combined Sections Meeting. New Orleans, LA.
Hollingsworth CN, Dixon M, Willy RW, Willson JD. (2018) Patellofemoral joint loads vary with running speed: application to individuals after ACL reconstruction. APTA Combined Sections Meeting. New Orleans, LA.
2017
Morrissette M, Willy RW, Blaylock N, Baggaley M, Meardon SA. (2017) Adaptability to novel running conditions following knee meniscectomy. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, San Antonio, TX
Johnson HT, Willson JD, Willy RW. Tibiofemoral Contact Forces During Treadmill and Overground Running. (2017) American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, San Antonio, TX.
Powell H, Silbernagel KG, Brorsson A,Tranberg R, Willson JD, Willy RW. (2017) Patellofemoral and tibiofemoral joint loading asymmetries are present during running and hopping in individuals 5 years post-Achilles tendon rupture. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, San Antonio, TX.
Flannery EM, Jenkins WL, Willson JD. (2017) Long term tibiofemoral joint force and kinematic asymmetry during single leg landings between individuals with and without ACL reconstruction. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, San Antonio, TX.
Brown E, Willy RW, Willson JD, Baggaley M, Jenkins WL, Bartol K, Meardon SA. (2017) Relationship of Running Related Tibial Stress to Foot Mobility and Frontal Plane Tibial Alignment. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, San Antonio, TX.
Hollingsworth CN, Bowersock CD, Willy RW, Willson, JD. (2017) Long term knee joint contact force asymmetry during running after ACL reconstruction. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, San Antonio, TX.
Brafford BC, Murray N, Willson JD, Meardon SA, Baggaley M, Willy RW. (2017) The Effects of an In-Field Gait Retraining Program on Dual Task Performance in Runners with a History of Tibial Stress Injury. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, San Antonio, TX.
2016
Liu J, Willson JD, Meardon SA. (2016) Creating A scalable sex-specific tibia model to predict tibial stresses. Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN.
Meardon SA, Stubbs L, Derrick T, Willson JD, Baggaley M, Willy RW. (2016) Comparison of Running Gait Modifications on Tibial Stress. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Anaheim, CA.
Blank ZA, Willson JD and Meardon SA. (2016) Bone Loading Activity and Running Related Stress Fracture. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Anaheim, CA.
Blaylock NR, Meardon SA, Willson JD, Willy RW. (2016) Gait modification to reduce tibiofemoral contact forces during running in individuals who are post-meniscectomy. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Anaheim, CA.
Brown EJ, Willy RW, Baggaley M, Willson JD, Jenkins WL, Meardon SA. (2016) Relationship between Navicular Drop, Tibial Mechanical Axis and Tibial Stress Injury Related Running Mechanics. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Anaheim, CA.
Flannery EM, Marion KL, Jenkins WL, Willson JD. (2016) Long term tibiofemoral joint force and kinematic asymmetries during single leg landings among recreational athletes following ACL reconstruction. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Anaheim, CA.
Powell H, Silbernagel KG, Brorsson A, Tanberg R, Willson JD, Willy RW. (2016) Patellofemoral and tibiofemoral joint loading asymmetries are present during running and hopping in individuals 5 years post-Achilles tendon rupture. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Anaheim, CA.
Sanii AR, Warren JM, Johnson H, Willy RW, Willson JD. (2016) Predictors of Tibiofemoral Joint Contact Forces During Running. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Anaheim, CA.
Warren, JM, Sanii AR, Huf M, Willy RW, Willson JD. (2016) Clinical prediction of patellofemoral joint contact force during running. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Anaheim, CA.
2015
Bowersock CD, Devita P, Willson JD. (2015) Knee joint impulse while running with varied step lengths. American Society of Biomechanics Annual Meeting. Columbus, OH.
Willson JD, Hayek M, Edwards K, Hollingsworth CN, Willy RW. (2015) Decreased patellofemoral joint loads following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Indianapolis, IN.
Loss J, Ratcliff O, Willson JD. (2015) Changes in running mechanics and patellofemoral joint loads among males and females following a run to exertion. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Indianapolis, IN.
Goel L, Willson JD, Meardon SA (2015) Creating a scalable tibial model from magnetic resonance images to predict tibial stress. Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Meeting, Tampa, FL.
Becker MG, Meardon SA, Domire ZJ, Kim S, DeVita P. (2015) Postural responses to perturbations in people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. American Society of Biomechanics Annual Meeting. Columbus, OH.
Klusendorf A, Meardon SA, Kernozek TW. (2015). Dynamic postural control in runners with a history of injury. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Meeting, Indianapolis, IN.
2014
DeCarlo M, Edwards J, Willson JD, McMillan A. (2014) Effects of BMI on Balance Measures in Adolescent Females. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Las Vegas, NV.
Loss J, Ratcliff O, Warren J, Willson JD. (2014) Effects of running to exertion on patellofemoral joint loads, loading rate, and hip kinematics. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Las Vegas, NV.
Ratcliff O, Warren J, Loss J, Willson JD. (2014) Modifications of foot strike pattern and step length to decrease patellofemoral joint loads during running. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Las Vegas, NV.
Vick K, Willson JD, Allison L, Greenwell B, Omahen A. (2014) The association of knee extension power with chair rise performance at varied knee angles. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Las Vegas, NV.
2013
Willson JD; Ratcliff O; Warren J; Loss J; Sandy R, Kernozek TW. (2013) Foot strike pattern and step length modifications to running to decrease patellofemoral joint stress. International Patellofemoral Pain Research Retreat & Clinical Symposium, Vancouver, Canada.
Bawek HA, Kernozek TW, Willson JD, Ragan R. (2013) 2D knee and 3D motion Relationships of the Hip and Knee during Bilateral Drop Landing. American College of Sports Medicine, Indianapolis, IN.
Sorensen BP, Kernozek TW, Willson JD, Ragan R. (2013) 2D and 3D Relationships Between Knee and Hip Kinematic Motion Analysis: Single Leg Drop Landings. American College of Sports Medicine, Indianapolis, IN.
Walker J, Houck K, Kernozek TW, Willson JD, Straker JS. (2013) Relationships between Isometric Strength, Functional Testing with a Step Down Task, and Dynamic Testing with a Drop Vertical Jump. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, San Diego, CA.
Wouters I, Almonroeder T, Willson JD, Kernozek TW. (2013) Comparison of Patellofemoral Stress During Running in Males and Females. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, San Diego, CA.
Sharpee R, Ellis E, Willson JD, Meardon SA. (2013) Effects of Step Length on Patellofemoral Joint Stress in Female Runners with and without Patellofemoral Pain. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, San Diego, CA.
State Presentations
2018
Willson JD, Hayes B, Meardon SA. (2018) Patellofemoral joint kinetics during exercises associated with return to play in males and females. NCPTA Fall Conference. Greensboro, NC.
Willson JD, Taylor K, Meardon SA. (2018) Hip joint contact force asymmetry during running following ACL reconstruction. NCPTA Fall Conference. Greensboro, NC.
Campbell C, Willson JD, Meardon SA. (2018) Hip Joint Loads Associated with High Intensity Interval Training. NCPTA Fall Conference. Greensboro, NC.
Meardon SA, Edmonds K, Willson JD. (2018) Ankle Joint Loads during Routine Training Activities. NCPTA Fall Conference. Greensboro, NC.
2017
Hudson R, Blanton C, Lin C-C. (2017) The Aging effect on brain hemodynamic changes during four different walking tasks – a functional Near-Infrared Spectrometry study. NCPTA Fall Conference. Winston-Salem, NC.
Hudson R, Blanton C, Lin CC. (2017) The Aging effect on brain hemodynamic changes during four different walking tasks – a functional Near-Infrared Spectrometry study. NCPTA Fall Conference. Winston-Salem, NC.
Blanton C, Hudson R, Lin CC. (2017) The effect of aging on brain activity during different visual sensory integration balance conditions – a functional Near-Infrared Spectrometry study. 19th Annual Neuroscience Symposium. Greenville, NC.
Blanton C, Hudson R, Lin CC. (2017) The effect of aging on brain activity during different visual sensory integration balance conditions – a functional Near-Infrared Spectrometry study. NCPTA Fall Conference. Winston-Salem, NC.
Bartol K, Willson JD, Meardon SA, Chilton M, & Mazyck C. (2017) Running intensity and bone stress. NCPTA Fall Conference. Winston-Salem, NC.
Campbell C, Willy R, Meardon SA. (2017) Step width affects hip contact forces during running. NCPTA Fall Conference. Winston-Salem, NC.
Geddes A, Willy R, Willson JD. (2017) Derivation of a clinical estimate of Achilles tendon load during running. NCPTA Fall Conference. Winston-Salem, NC.
Scales J, Genova A, Barr A, McCammon M, Willson J, Meardon S. (2017) Sensewear pro armband accuracy during short bouts of exercise, Southeast Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Greenville, SC.
2016
Williams BL, Lin C-C. (2016) The effect of false vision inputs during sensory integration conditions in young adults- Functional brain imaging study. NCPTA Fall Conference, Greensboro, NC.
Morrissette M, Willy RW, Blaylock N, Baggaley M, Meardon SA. (2016) Adaptability to Novel Running Conditions following Knee Meniscectomy. NCPTA Fall Conference, Greensboro, NC.
Mazyck C, Chilton M, Willson JD, Meardon S. (2016) Effects of running intensity on peak and cumulative bone stress, NCPTA Fall Conference, Greensboro, NC.
Bartol K, Willson JD, Willy R, Meardon S. (2016) Tibial Bone Stress following an Exhaustive Run. NCPTA Fall Conference, Greensboro, NC.
McDonnell J, Willson JD, DeVita P, Meardon SA. (2016) Midsole hardness property’s effect in injured and non-injured runners. University of North Carolina Movement Science Symposium (ASB South Central Chapter), Chapel Hill, NC.
MacCreery, A, Williams, B, Lin CC. (2016) The Brain Hemodynamic Responses during Gait Speed Changes in younger Adults- Functional Brain Imaging Study., 18th Annual ECU Neuroscience Symposium, Greenville, NC.
2015
Blank ZA, Willson JD and Meardon SA. (2015) Bone Loading Activity and Running Related Stress Fracture. NCPTA Fall Conference, Asheville, NC.
Brown EJ, Willy RW, Baggaley M, Willson JD, Jenkins WL, Meardon SA. (2015) Relationship between Navicular Drop, Tibial Mechanical Axis and Tibial Stress Injury Related Running Mechanics. NCPTA Fall Conference, Asheville, NC.
Sanii AR, Warren JM, Johnson H, Willy RW, Willson JD. (2015) Predictors of Tibiofemoral Joint Contact Forces During Running. NCPTA Fall Conference, Asheville, NC.
Warren, JM, Sanii AR, Huf M, Willy RW, Willson JD. (2015) Clinical prediction of patellofemoral joint contact force during running. NCPTA Fall Conference, Asheville, NC.
Bowersock, C., DeVita, P. D., Willson, J.D. (2015). Effect of step length on tibiofemoral joint contact forces during running. North Carolina Human Movement Symposium, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Becker MG, Meardon SA, Domire ZJ., Kim S, DeVita P. (2015) The relationship between virtual time to contact and sway range during and after horizontal translational perturbations: a pilot study. University of North Carolina Movement Science Symposium, Chapel Hill, NC.
Bartol, K., Willson, J.D., Meardon, S.A. (2015) Predictors of Bone Geometry in Runners. North Carolina Human Movement Symposium, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
2014
Stubbs, L., Meardon, S.A. (2014) The Use of Gait Modification to Reduce Tibial Stress in Runners: A Critically Appraised Topic (CAT). NCPTA Fall Conference, Greensboro, North Carolina.
Blank, Z. Meardon, S.A. (2014) Bone Loading Activity, Tibial Bone Geometry, and Running Related Stress Fracture. NCPTA Fall Conference, Greensboro, North Carolina.
Wright M, Willy RW, Meardon SA. (2014) Stride time variability during running following partial meniscectomy. NCPTA Fall Conference, Greensboro, NC.
Edwards, K., Hayek, M. L., Hollingsworth, C. N., Price, V., Waggoner, S., RW Willy, JD Willson (2014). Decreased patellofemoral joint loads following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. NCPTA Fall Conference, Greensboro, North Carolina.
Garrision, K., Alexander, B., DeNardis, E., Jenkins, W., Willson, J., Garrison K, Alexander B, DeNardis E, Jenkins W, Willson J (2014). The influence of ACL reconstruction surgery on frontal and sagittal plane motion at the knee during a single leg landing from a jump. NCPTA Fall Conference, Greensboro, North Carolina.
2013
Loss, J., Ratcliff, O., Warren, J., & Willson, J. D. (2013). Effect of exertion on patellofemoral joint loads during running. NCPTA Fall Conference, Asheville, North Carolina.