Drs. Melissa Boswell and Hannah O’Day

Biomechanics on our Minds

Science EN ↓ 131 episodes

Your favorite biomechanics podcast! Melissa Boswell, PhD, and Hannah O'Day, PhD, researchers at Stanford University, talk to researchers around the world about the exciting field of human (and animal) movement biomechanics. They also cover overcoming failures, collaborations, open science, leadership, and more. For more information, visit our website biomechanicsonourminds.com.

Author

Drs. Melissa Boswell and Hannah O’Day

Category

Science

Podcast website

biomechanicsonourminds.com

Latest episode

Apr 14, 2025

Where to listen?

Podcasts in the app Replaio Radio Coming soon

Podcasts are coming to the app soon. Install now and be the first to see a whole new take on podcasts

Get it on Google Play Install for free Android 5M+ downloads · 4.8 rating iOS soon

Episodes

Episode 25: From Research to Regulations 13.01.2020

In this episode, we had the pleasure of talking with Nachi Chockalingam, Professor of Clinical Biomechanics and Fellow of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine at Staffordshire University in Staffordshire, England. He shares his research on musculoskeletal biomechanics and gait analysis with special interests in scoliosis, foot and footwear biomechanics. We also cover his contributi...

Episode 24: Let's Talk About Parkinson's | Chris Haas, Candace Gaudiani, Caitlyn Kirby 31.12.2019

In this episode, we interview Professor Chris Haas, Associate Provost and Professor at the University of Florida. He talks about his research on the interplay between the nervous system and the musculoskeletal system, including Parkinson's, and the importance of keeping your research patient-centered. Then we talk with Candace Gaudiani who shares her story with Parkinson's and her incredible outlo...

Student Voices: The Students Behind MOCO (feat. Nick Bianco and Chris Dembia) 20.12.2019

PhD Candidates Nick Bianco and Chris Dembia teach us about their new musculoskeletal simulation software, MOCO. We also discuss what their journey of software development was like and the benefits of PhD work as a team! Learn more about MOCO from their webinar: https://opensim.stanford.edu/support/event_details.php?id=236&title=Webinar-OpenSim-Moco-Software-to-optimize-the-motion-and-control-of-Op...

Parkinson's - The research and the people 19.12.2019

In this episode, we interview Professor Chris Haas, Associate Provost and Professor at the University of Florida. He talks about his research on the interplay between the nervous system and the musculoskeletal system, including Parkinson's, and the importance of keeping your research patient-centered. Then we talk with Candace Gaudiani who shares her story with Parkinson's and her incredible outlo...

Student Voices Episode 4: MOCO | Nick Bianco and Chris Dembia 18.12.2019

PhD Students Nick Bianco and Chris Dembia give us the low down on OpenSim Moco! Moco solves optimal control problems with musculoskeletal models defined in OpenSim, using direct collocation. We learn how it works and new problems we can now solve with it. They also share their experience developing a software toolkit, including insights into what it is like to work on it as a team and how it has f...

Student Voices Episode 3: The Mechanics in Biomechanics | Andrew Vigotsky 12.12.2019

In this episode, Andrew Vigotsky, Biomedical Engineering PhD candidate at Northwestern University takes us through some common mechanical misconceptions in bioengineering and how we can avoid them.

Episode 23: Redefining Athlete | Blake Leeper and Lasse Madsen 01.12.2019

In this incredibly inspiring episode, two amazing athletes, Blake Leeper and Lasse Madsen talk about their stories - Blake is a world record holder in the Paralympics with a goal to compete in the 2020 Olympics and Lasse is a gymnast, athlete, author, and amputee. Watch Blake's video, Let Leeper Run here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4PTYR5GRA8 Check out Lasse's website here: https://www.landi...

Student Voices Episode 2: Open Access | Ricky Pimentel, Roger Paxton, and Peter Suber 30.10.2019

How do we make science journals accessible to everyone? In this episode, PhD student Ricky Pimentel and Roger Paxton, Research Project Manager at Children's Hospital Colorado, interview a pioneer of open access for science, Peter Suber. They talk about the beginning, current barriers, and the future of open access.

Episode 21: Competitions for All People | Alena Grabowski and Roland Sigrist 17.10.2019

After a new Journal Jumble segment, we talk with Professor Alena Grabowski of University of Colorado Boulder on her biomechanics research with para-athletes and how we can use science to promote inclusivity in the Olympics. After, we talk with Roland Sigrist the Executive Director of the Organising Committee of the Cybathlon, an international championship for robot-assisted competitors with disabi...

Student Voices Episode 1: That Grad School Thing | Grace Kellaher and Scott Uhlrich 28.09.2019

On the first episode of Student Voices, we learn about what graduate school is all about. Grace Kellaher, a Master's student at University of Florida College of Health & Human Performance, interviews Stanford University Bioengineering PhD student Scott Uhlrich about the best ways to transition to graduate school, advice for navigating graduate school, and things he wished he knew as a beginning gr...

Episode 20: ACL Health Kneeds Biomechanics | Kate Webster and Tim Hewett 12.09.2019

Drs. Kate Webster and Tim Hewett talk with BOOM about the important role biomechanics plays in keeping athletes healthy, particularly when it comes to ACL injuries.

Episode 19: Researching Strong as Steele | Julie Steele 28.08.2019

In this episode with Julie Steele, we cover all things biomechanics and research - from studying biomechanics of surfing to how to fail fabulously to giving back to local communities.

Episode 18: Navigating Scientific Conferences | David Shiffman, Holly Bik, and Taija Finni 19.07.2019

In Episode 18, BOOM interviews Professors David Shiffman, Holly Bik, and Taija Finni on how to navigate scientific conferences. We talk about networking, fashion, cultivating collaborative atmospheres, recharging, and how to make the most of your experience! David Shiffman: 6:06 Holly Bik: 30:15 Taija Finni: 51:18

Episode 17: Tackling Gray Area Challenges | May Liu 01.07.2019

In this episode, we talk with May Liu of intuitive surgical. She shares why she loves tackling the difficult, "grey" problems and gives great advice on how to overcome some of the challenges of graduate school.

Episode 16: May the Forces and Torques Be With You | Deanna Gates 01.06.2019

In this episode of BOOM, we talk with Professor Deanna Gates of the University of Michigan on rehabilitation biomechanics and her work on prostheses and orthotics. She shares her experiences as a biomechanics consultant and rehabilitation work for the military, as well as her motivation for becoming a biomechanist (hint: in a galaxy far, far away...).

Episode 15: Bringin' the Hamner Down on Design | Sam Hamner 22.04.2019

In this Episode, we talk with Dr. Sam Hamner on the design process. We also learn about his experiences at a non-profit and his current role at a start-up, Cala Health.

Episode 14: MAP BOOM and the Future of Wearables | Thor Besier 27.03.2019

In episode 14, we talk with Associate Professor Thor Besier of The University of Auckland about the Musculoskeletal Atlas Project and the future of wearables! Our Bit of Boom is brought to you by Biomechanics in the Wild (http://sites.nd.edu/biomechanics-in-the-wild/) and we end with our most recent research fails.

Episode 13: Mindsets to Grow from Failure | Jen Heemstra and Meredith Henry 21.02.2019

How do we stay resilient against unexpected outcomes of science research? On this episode, we talk with Professor Jen Heemstra and Dr. Meredith Henry from Emory University on having a mindset to grow from failure.

Episode 12: Emphasis on International | Joe Hamill 15.01.2019

Joe Hamill, current International Society of Biomechanics President, talks about his vision for making ISB "truly international". Hear about why he values ISB as a top tier biomechanics society, including it's emphasis on the students.

Episode 11: Dinosaur Biomechanics | John Hutchinson 18.12.2018

This month we talk dinosaur biomechanics and the evolution of dinosaur biomechanics. We interview Professor John Hutchinson of the Royal Veterinary College, Professor of Evolutionary Biomechanics. Learn how biomechanists and animators teamed together in the making of Jurassic Park to make sure T-Rex had realistic movements and speeds.

Episode 10: Biomechanics of Breast Health | Deirdre McGhee and Jodi Steel 31.10.2018

Dr. Deirdre McGhee shares her research on the biomechanics of breast health and her current study to improve the biomechanics of breast cancer survivors after surgery. It is followed with an interview with Dr. Jodi Steel who is a breast cancer survivor, part of Deirdre's study, and also working to improve the challenges that breast cancer survivors are facing.

Bonus Episode: Mental Health on our Minds 29.10.2018

In this special episode of BOOM, we talk with 3 graduate students on challenges that we face in graduate school and how it affects our mental health.

Episode 9: Titin-ing Our Grip on Biomechanics | Walter Herzog 29.09.2018

In this episode, we dive in to titin's role in muscle contraction, followed by an interview with University of Calgary's Professor Walter Herzog who talks about the role of nutrition in osteoarthritis development, who he looked up to as a student in biomechanics, and more. Followed with research fails!

Episode 8: Blood, Sweat, and Bones - The Foundations of Good Beginnings | Jacque Cole 29.08.2018

We chat with Professor Jacque Cole on her research on the osteovascular system and its importance to our health. She also talks about what it has been like starting a research lab as a new professor.

Episode 7: Having a Blast - Survivability Research and Learning to Adapt | Reuben Govender 01.08.2018

In this episode we discuss recent findings in running shoe advantages using statistics and large scale running data. We interview Professor Reuben Govender and Professor Emeritus Gerald Nurick from the University of Cape Town Blast Impact and Survivability Research Unit. Learn the importance of adapting your research to local needs and about current research on blast impacts.

Listen to the Biomechanics on our Minds podcast in Replaio

Radio and podcasts in one app - free, with no sign-up. Install today and do not miss the launch

Get it on Google Play

Replaio is not a podcast publisher; show names, artwork and audio belong to their authors and are distributed through public RSS feeds.