The Integrative Movement Sciences Institute – Summer Institute (IMSI-SI) is an interdisciplinary research and training incubator supported by a nationwide network of faculty from 20+ institutions, renowned for their expertise and leadership in biomechanics, muscle physiology, biophysics, neuroscience, rehabilitation sciences, and rehabilitation engineering. Each year, a talented cohort of early-career trainees joins our team for an intensive research experience, working alongside leading scientists to advance their training in movement science while contributing original research to the field. Meet this year's cohort below.
Meet the 2026 Trainee Cohort!
Andrew Thornton
Project: Why don't humans hop?
I am a first year grad student in biomechanics at the University of Texas at Austin and for hobbies I play tennis and volleyball and I play guitar in a band. I'm excited about movement sciences because I'm deeply invested in the scientific process, and movement sciences are the most readily applicable sciences to my life and interests.
Amulya Kadaba
Striations and Specialization: Do molecular-scale structural dynamics explain functional differences in a diverse group of striated muscles?
Hi, I'm Amulya, a recent Biomedical Engineering master's graduate from Brown University. I'm passionate about understanding human movement and its intersection with injury recovery and performance, a curiosity that was first sparked by my love of rock climbing! I'm thrilled to be part of the IMSI community this summer and can't wait to connect with everyone!
Isabelle "Apple" Leavy
Front Heavy: Neuromechanics of Adaptation to Added Mass in Standing Balance
My name is Isabelle Leavy, but basically everyone calls me by my nickname, Apple. I am a PhD student at University of Texas at Austin, where I am interested in using comparative multi-species methods to better understand the evolution and biomechanics of childbirth in humans and non-human primates. I am also curious about how mammals generally interact with the birth process socially, cognitively, and physically. When I am not watching YouTube videos of monkeys giving birth (which is where a lot of my data comes from), I enjoy hiking, playing board games, and reading science fiction.
Aaron Matthews
Staying on Your Feet: How Capacity Shapes Balance Resilience
Hey, I'm Aaron! I'm a freshman at the University of San Diego majoring in Cognition & Behavior. I'm interested in neuroscience and the intersection of technology, as well as neurorehabilitation. I'm originally from Pasadena, CA, and outside of class I like to hang out with friends and go to the beach. I'm ready to apply and learn new skills in IMSI this summer, and I am excited to connect with everyone in this program.
Sarah Fogarty
Functioning with Fatigue: Effects of Muscular Fatigue on Movement Performance
Sarah is an undergraduate student studying Biomedical Engineering at the University of Vermont. She enjoys studying math, science, and biomechanics, and she is extremely excited to continue learning about movement sciences through the IMSI-SI program. Outside of her interests in math and science, she loves to be physically active and spend time outdoors.
Jocelyn Pena
Branching Out: Visual Cues and Locomotion in Tree Shrews
My name is Jocelyn (She/her), and I am a recent USC alumnus with a BS in Biological Sciences. I love biology because I get to learn about how life around us works and how every organism has evolved to excel in their environment. I'm excited to study more about the complex coordination and mechanics that come with movement and how that varies across species!
Valay Shah, PhD
Can Spinal Stimulation Change How We Sense Ankle Position?
With a strong foundation in biomedical engineering and neuroscience, I aim to tackle challenges in human performance with cognitive and behavioral research.
Edgar Rodriguez
Momentum in Motion: Manipulating angular momentum to stabilize non-steady locomotion
Hello my name is Edgar Rodriguez, and I I am an upcoming Junior at Harvey Mudd College majoring in Engineering. I am interested in Biomedical Engineering including biomechanics and this is my second summer doing IMSI.
Avanthi Obadage
Staying on Your Feet: How Capacity Shapes Balance Resilience
I'm Avanthi, a May 2026 graduate in Mechanical Engineering at UIUC. I'm excited about movement sciences because it falls at the intersection of two of my interests (mechanical engineering and biology). Some of my favorite hobbies include knitting, baking, and hiking.
Brandon Jesus Guereque Torres
Clamp and Ramp: System identification to estimate mechanical muscle properties in clamp and ramp shortening experiments
Hello! My name is Brandon Guereque, and I just graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and will be attending graduate school at Northern Arizona University. I love movement sciences because it merges structure/mechanics with biology to give us insight into how our bodies work in real-life situations. Through IMSI, I’m looking forward to gaining hands-on research experience, learning from mentors, and collaborating with others who share similar interests.
Ema Dang
Don't trip: Understanding the functional use of the proximo distal gradient during perturbations
I am a graduating Physiology and Exercise Science student at UC Irvine who is passionate about understanding how the body moves and adapts to physical demands. Through my prior internship experiences and my love for outdoor activities, I have developed a strong interest in biomechanics and how movement analysis can improve performance and guide injury rehabilitation in the athletic space. I’m excited to meet everyone in the program and learn from the faculty, mentors, and fellow students.
Megan Buries
Cyclical Contractions: Architectural Gearing and Tendon Elasticity in Guinea Fowl Muscle
Hi, I'm Megan! I'm a 4th year pre-healthcare Human Biology Major and I have been a part of the Neuromechanics Lab at UCI for two years. I am so excited to be a part of ISMI and have the opportunity to explore how muscle architecture and tendon function interact to produce efficient locomotion in guinea fowl.
Kyler Jeong
Morphology Matters: How does avian foot morphology influence balance stability?
Hi! I'm a Mechanical Engineering major at UC Berkeley with an interest in the intersection between bio-inspired design and robotics. I'm excited to research avian locomotion and apply it to robotic prototypes this summer!
Wonbin "Sophia" Bae
Elasticity & Stability: The Role of Distal Limb Tendon-Based Elasticity in Stability of Avian Bipedal Locomotion
I am a 3rd year Biomedical Engineering major at UC Irvine. I am also minoring in ICS, having a deep interest in computational modeling. I am excited to apply machine learning to movement sciences!
Ava Minamihara
Don't trip: Understanding the functional use of the proximo distal gradient during perturbations
I am a transfer mechanical engineering student with a strong interest in biomedical engineering. I’m excited about movement sciences because it connects mechanics with human health, especially in areas like biomechanics and assistive or robotic technologies. I’m looking forward to exploring how engineering can improve human movement and quality of life.
Georgia Bilodeau
Pop-Up Movement Science Arenas
My name is Georgia Bilodeau and I am a double major undergraduate student at UCI pursuing a B.S. in Cognitive Sciences and a B.F.A. in Dance Performance. I am excited about movement sciences because it unifies my background in dance with my academic experiences and research.
Arjun Zaveri
Muscle-Tendon Synergy: Impacts of increased tendon mechanical properties on limb kinematics
Hi! My name is Arjun Zaveri and I am an incoming 3rd year Biological Sciences major at UCI. I am super excited to learn more about movement sciences this summer with IMSI. In my free time I am usually climbing, watching sports, or learning how to surf.
Maddy Chastain
Fibers to Function: Mechanical system analysis of permeabilized skeletal muscle fibers and cardiac muscle strips
I am a current Senior at WSU study Genetics and Cell Biology. I am originally from Seattle, WA. I am interested in the interconnection between cardiovascular biomechanics and skeletal muscle biomechanics.
Brittany Mills
Functioning with Fatigue: Effects of Muscular Fatigue on Movement Performance
Brittany Mills is a Biomechanical Engineer with experience in collegiate and professional sport. She is dedicated to becoming an exceptional, game-changing Biomechanist who can truly blend rigorous scientific endeavors with individual human performance and injury needs.
Anna Coppola
Can Spinal Stimulation Change How We Sense Ankle Position?
Hi! My name is Anna and I'm entering my fourth year at UC Irvine, studying Mechanical Engineering. I've developed an interest in the bio-mechanical field as I feel there is always something that needs to be improved, further researched, and developed in relation to the human body, having a greater purpose behind it to improve the well-being and lifestyle of people. I look forward to working and learning with you all!
Roger Chen
Why Don’t Humans Hop?
Hi, my name is Roger Chen and I'm a second year Computer Science & Engineering student at UCI. I grew up playing tennis (~12 years now) and developed a love for sports, exercise, and movement in the past few years starting from my upbringing as an athlete.
Isabel Munoz-Orozco
Front Heavy: Neuromechanics of Adaptation to Added Mass in Standing Balance
My background in kinesiology with a B.S. in Exercise Science and M.S. in Movement Science. I am interested in how balance and walking are controlled and adapted, particularly in aging populations and individuals with neurodevelopmental or neurological conditions. I’m excited to continue learning how our brain and body work together to support mobility, independence, and the ability to move how we want to move.
Emma Lopez
Why Go Bipedal?: Lizard Gait Strategies Across Varying Terrain
Hi my name is Emma! I’m a fourth year at Sacramento State studying Biological Sciences, I have a strong interest in animal biology, ecology, and functional morphology. I am excited to be apart of IMSI because I enjoy field work and learning more about how animals interact and adapt to their natural environments.
Tram Pham
Momentum in Motion: Manipulating angular momentum to stabilize non-steady locomotion
Hi, I’m Tram Pham, a Biotechnology and Quantitative Biology student at USC! This summer I’ll be working on the Momentum in Motion project, studying how desert kangaroo rats use angular momentum to control their landings after jumps. I’m excited to gain more hands-on research experience and learn how experimental observations can be connected to bigger questions about animal movement and stability. I’m also looking forward to meeting everyone and learning about the different ways movement science is being explored across IMSI!
Sofia Morote
Can Spinal Stimulation Change How We Sense Ankle Position?
Hi, I'm Sofia Morote. I'm excited to be a part of IMSI because of my strong interest in biomechanics and the underlying physics that govern human movement. I'm looking forward to learning from and collaborating with other IMSI team members.
Ebube Lever
Muscle Synergies and Morphology Across Amphibious Locomotion
Hello everyone! Just a few words about myself, I’m a third-year Biological Sciences student who’s really passionate about movement sciences, especially through the lens of athletic performance. As a student athlete, I’m always curious about how training, biomechanics, and recovery actually work to improve performance and prevent injury. I’m excited to learn alongside everyone at IMSI and keep exploring the possibilities exercise science has to offer!
Isabella Lepe
Can Spinal Stimulation Change How We Sense Ankle Position?
Hi everyone! My name is Isabella Lepe and I am currently a third year biomedical engineering student at UCI. I am excited to get to know everyone and learn more about the biomechanics of the human body as I want to work on prosthetics and assistive gear in the future.