Get Involved
There are several ways to participate in the AI Biomechanics Lab’s mission to understand how human movement affects musculoskeletal health. Whether you’re interested in contributing as a research participant, community advisor, or student researcher, we’d love to hear from you.
Participate in a Research Study
We are currently recruiting participants for several studies exploring movement, pain, and joint health. Our current studies are listed below. If none of the current studies are a good fit, please revisit this page in the future. New research opportunities are posted here as they open.
Lab Phone:(352) 392-5353 | Principal Investigator:Dr. Kerry Costello
Pain Flares in Knee Osteoarthritis Study
A 6-week study using wearable sensors and daily pain surveys to understand how movement patterns relate to pain episodes in individuals with knee OA.
Eligibility:Age 40+, knee OA diagnosis, knee pain 15+ days/month, ability to walk independently.
Commitment:Three in-person sessions (20-60 min each) + daily sensor wear and brief smartphone surveys for 6 weeks.
Contact:Peter Schaefer(Project Manager) orKaitlin Southern(Project Manager)
Florida Moves (FLoMo) Study
Collecting data on how people move during typical daily activities to understand how movement relates to muscle and bone health.
Eligibility:Ages 18-89, able to perform everyday activities independently, can provide written consent and understand English.
Commitment:~20-60 minutes on-site, no appointment required.
Contact:Ryan McCloskey(Project Manager)
Life In Motion Validation Study
Comparing biomechanical data collected during activities of daily living using traditional marker-based and newer markerless (video-based) motion capture systems.
Eligibility:Ages 18-89, able to perform activities of daily living without assistance.
Commitment:1 visit, approximately 1-2 hours.
Contact:Ryan McCloskey(Project Manager)
Shared Strides Study
Collecting data on how people with osteoarthritis move during typical daily activities, comparing community-based vs. traditional lab data collection.
Eligibility:Age 40+, knee OA diagnosis, ability to walk without assistance, no leg/foot injuries or surgeries in past 3 months, no prior knee replacement.
Commitment:~20-60 minutes per session, with a follow-up session 6 months later.
Contact:Ryan McCloskey(Project Manager)
Yoga Validation Study
Comparing biomechanical data collected during yoga poses using traditional marker-based and newer markerless motion capture systems.
Eligibility:Ages 18-90, prior yoga experience required, no lower limb injuries in past 6 months.
Commitment:3 visits over 3 weeks, approximately 1-2 hours per visit.
Contact:Alexandra Chertok(Project Manager)
Yoga After Joint Replacement Study
An upcoming study examining biomechanics in post-joint replacement patients who practice yoga. Details will be posted when recruitment begins.
Join the Community Advisory Board
We are seeking individuals with knee osteoarthritis to serve on our Community Advisory Board. No experience is necessary — just a willingness to share your perspective and help shape our research.
Board Responsibilities
- Meet regularly with the research team
- Co-design study materials, forms, and surveys
- Provide input on participant activities
- Engage in data analysis and dissemination
- Co-write journal articles
- Develop community seminars
Join as a Student or Staff Researcher
Undergraduate student positions
Undergraduate student volunteers are an important part of our team. Except in very rare cases, undergraduate student researchers are expected to commit to ~10 hours per week for at least two semesters, and longer-term involvement is encouraged when possible. Positions are typically unpaid, though some students may participate for course credit (with or without an honors thesis) and/or apply for funding (e.g.,University Scholars Program). Undergraduate students typically work with a graduate student mentor and contribute to ongoing research projects.
Students are evaluated at the end of each semester, and continuation in the lab is based on consistent effort, reliability, and meaningful contributions.
We primarily review applications at the end of each semester for positions in the following term, and most positions are filled before the semester begins. A limited number of positions may be filled during the first 1–2 weeks of the semester, but openings at that time are not guaranteed. While applications are accepted at any time, applying during the primary review period provides the best opportunity for consideration. Due to the number of applications we receive, we are not able to offer positions to all qualified students.
These positions are best suited for students who are motivated to engage consistently and contribute over multiple semesters. Because our projects are team-based and time-sensitive, students are expected to maintain regular participation and follow-through throughout the semester, including during busy periods (e.g., midterms and final exams). Students seeking short-term or minimal involvement may not find this to be the best fit.
Attention to detail and the ability to follow instructions across multiple sources are important in our lab. As one example, students applying to the lab should include the phrase “biomechanics in the wild” somewhere in their application materials.
Graduate student positions (Ph.D., M.S.)
Ph.D. student positions are dependent on funding availability and applicants are considered on a case-by-case basis. Potential Ph.D. students are encouraged to reach out to Dr. Costello at any time by email with questions and/or a brief statement of research interests and experience (in the body of the email), a resume/CV, and (if available) a scientific writing sample. While most graduate students in the lab are in theMechanical and Aerospace EngineeringPh.D. program (Dr. Costello’s home department), students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. inBiomedical Engineering,Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, or related fields are encouraged to reach out to Dr. Costello to discuss this possibility. Applications are typically due on December 5th for priority consideration for Fall admission and fellowships for UF’s engineering Ph.D. programs, however, potential students may contact Dr. Costello at any time.
Students pursuing M.S. degrees at UF who want to conduct research in the lab are considered on a case-by-case basis. Students wishing to conduct M.S. thesis research in the lab can email Dr. Costello to discuss whether their research interests are a good fit with the lab’s current needs. Non-thesis students may find it challenging to fit research into their course schedule but are encouraged to reach out if they are interested and have time available to commit to research. These positions are typically unpaid unless the student has existing research funding. Unpaid M.S. positions can sometimes lead to funded Ph.D. positions in the lab.
Other positions
We are not currently hiring for other specific positions in the lab, however, you are welcome to contact Dr. Costello at any time with questions and/or a statement of interest. These will be considered on a case-by-case basis.