Call for Applications 

2025 APTA Biomechanics SIG Student & Post-Doc Travel Awards

AWARD DEADLINE EXTENDED - Due Date 12/1/2024

Application Instructions

The APTA Biomechanics Special Interest Group (SIG) is pleased to announce the 2025 APTA Biomechanics Student Travel Award. Awardees will be selected based upon the submitted material to support promising scientists in the field of biomechanics. There are mutiple awards available, each consisting of a certificate and a $500.00 check.

 Eligibility

Current or pending student member of the APTA Biomechanics Special Interest Group at the time of submission. A student is considered eligible for the award if they are currently enrolled in a terminal research degree program or completing post-doctoral research experience in the year prior to the APTA CSM annual meeting within the area of biomechanics.

 The Awardee must attend the 2025 CSM to present their work as either a poster or podium as the presenting author and must attend the Biomechanics SIG Business Meeting to receive their award.

 Application Process

Electronic applications must be submitted by December 1, 2024 to the Biomechanics SIG Awards Committee Chair Dr. Philip Malloy ([email protected]).

 Application Submission Material:

a. Letter of nomination from graduate advisor (1 pg. max.)

b. Cover letter (1 pg. max.) from the applicant describing benefit of attending CSM.

c. Copy of APTA CSM 2025 abstract acceptance email notification.

d. Copy of accepted abstract.

e. One-page document listing relevant publications, abstracts, presentations & awards.

f. APTA membership number

Submission Instructions

Applications should be submitted electronically to the APTA SOR Biomechanics SIG Awards Chair, Dr. Philip Malloy ([email protected]).  All material must be submitted by December 1, 2024.  Awardees will be notified via email by Friday, December 20, 2024.

 Applications should be submitted as a single pdf.  Please use the following format to name the file and put “LAST NAME _ FIRST NAME_BIOMECHANICS TRAVEL AWARD” in the subject header of the application e-mail.

 2025 Biomechanics SIG DPT Student and PhD student/Post-Doc Travel Award Winners

2025 Ph.D.student/PostDoc Travel Awards:

Oscar Vila-Dieguez, PT, PhD: Oscar Vila-Dieguez is a postdoctoral fellow in the Orthopaedic Surgery department at the University of California San Diego. His research involved the study of muscle tissue mechanical and histological properties in patients with low-back pain and rotator cuff tears.

Andrew Babcanec, PT, DPT, OCS: I am a second year PhD student within Arcadia University’s Movement Science program and my current research focus is the biomechanical analysis of individuals with Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome (FAIS) during squat tasks. Specifically, I am interested in quantifying coordination and understanding the contribution of altered motor control to squat-related biomechanical deficits.

Jeffrey Paskewitz, PT, DPT, OCS: Jeff is a physical therapy researcher and graduate student enrolled in the PhD in Movement Science program at Arcadia University in Glenside, Pennsylvania. His research interests include biomechanical risk factors for throwing-related upper extremity injuries as well as mechanisms and interventions relating to chronic shoulder pain.

Hyo-Jung Jeong, PT, PhD, MS: Hyo-Jung Jeong is a 4th year postdoc at Washington University in St. Louis, working with Dr. Mary Hastings. Her research investigates early-onset foot and ankle complications in youth-onset type 2 diabetes and their impact over the lifespan.

E. Daniel Syrett, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS: E. Daniel Syrett is a Research Fellow at the Central Virginia VA Medical Center who completed his PhD in Rehabilitation and Movement Science at Virginia Commonwealth University in May. His current research utilizes muscle-driven musculoskeletal modeling and simulation to examine how alterations in gait may affect lower extremity joint loading in populations likely to develop osteoarthritis.

Mitchell Adam, PT, DPT, NCS: Mitchell Adam is a PhD candidate in the Exercise and Rehabilitation Science program at Marquette University. His work focuses on the impact of high intensity exercise on gait stability and neurophysiologic function in people with multiple sclerosis

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