Jaimie A. Roper, Ph.D. – Director
My goal is to be a prominent scientist who studies walking, balance, the brain and how our body moves. I also strive to lead and mentor an interdisciplinary team of scientists, do impactful research, and help young scientists reach their goals. My research aims to help people, especially older adults, who have trouble moving, like those with Essential Tremor or Parkinson’s disease. I want to understand why they have trouble walking and keeping their balance so that I can find ways to help them. I’ve learned a lot about how aging and how our body moves affects our ability to move through my work with adults who have problems moving.
brandon
BRANDON PEOPLES, PH.D. STUDENT
Brandon is a veteran of the United States Navy. He has earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology, and a graduate certificate in Mentoring and Leadership from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Brandon has been involved in research for nearly a decade, working at the UAB Center for Exercise Medicine. During this time, he served as an interventionist and manager for numerous NIH and DoD-funded research trials where he gained skills in cardiorespiratory testing, evidence-based exercise prescription, and neuromuscular assessment in various populations. Brandon is a certified Exercise Physiologist and Exercise is Medicine-II through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). He is currently a doctoral student studying biomechanics with Jaimie Roper, Ph.D., in the Locomotor and Movement Control Lab at Auburn University.
Research Interests: aging, gait, gait bioenergetics, neuromotor control, cognition, movement disorders, and postural control
kenny
KENNY HARRISON, PH.D. STUDENT
Kenny earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology at Cal Poly Humboldt in 2020 and finished his Master of Science degree in Exercise Science at Utah State University in 2022. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Kinesiology studying neural control of movement with Jaimie Roper, Ph.D., in the Locomotor and Movement Control Lab.
His passion is using modern approaches to delve into the underlying causes of neuropathology and to help develop new therapeutic strategies for clinical populations. His goal is to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field of neuroscience and to help improve the lives of those affected by movement disorders.
Research Interests: Sensory Integration, orthopedics, prosthetics, neuromodulation, motor control, movement disorders
valeria
VALERIA ROBLES-CERDAS, GRADUATE STUDENT
Vale earned her Physical Therapy degree at Universidad Santa Paula in Costa Rica in December of 2022. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Kinesiology with Jaimie Roper, Ph.D, in the Locomotor and Movement Control Lab. Her goal is to promote healthy aging and help people to improve their quality of life through movement and physical activity.
Research Interests: biomechanics, risk of falling in elderly people and sport injuries
keven
KEVEN SANTAMARIA-GUZMAN, PH.D. STUDENT
Keven Santamaría is a kinesiology doctoral candidate at Auburn University with a background in human movement sciences and sports. He has worked as a university professor and elementary education teacher in Costa Rica. Keven has experience teaching physical education, sports, and exercise courses at the university level and developing research projects in older adults. He has also worked as an international technical delegate and facilitator for World Triathlon and Costa Rica's Triathlon Federation, organizing sporting events like triathlons, outdoor adventure races, and open-water swimming races.
Research Interests: exergames, motor learning, balance, biomechanics, and footwear
