Jaimie A. Roper, PhD, Director

As an Associate Professor in Kinesiology and the Director of the Locomotor and Movement Control Lab, I'm passionate about helping people thrive and build resilience through movement across their entire lifespan. My research focuses on understanding the fundamental mechanisms of walking, balance, and neural control that enable people to adapt and remain resilient as they age.
I believe movement is a birthright that everyone deserves to claim, regardless of age or condition. My work with older adults and those with Movement Disorders like Essential Tremor and Parkinson's disease has shown me that what conventional science often labels as "dysfunction" can actually represent brilliant adaptation. This perspective drives our lab's approach to understanding movement quality not as standardized patterns, but as individual solutions that promote independence and joy in movement.
My research is informed by both scientific inquiry and personal experience, giving me a unique perspective on movement adaptation. This has deepened my commitment to creating a scientific framework that honors diverse movement strategies and builds resilience rather than forcing conformity to arbitrary standards.
I'm equally committed to developing the next generation of scientific leaders who will advance this vision globally. By mentoring young scientists to see movement through this lens of adaptation and resilience, we're creating a legacy that will transform how movement science approaches human movement.
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BRIA SMITH
Bria earned her B.S. Kinesiology with a minor in Psychology from North Carolina A&T State University in December 2023. She is pursuing her M.S. in Exercise Science with a concentration in Biomechanics with Jaimie Roper, Ph.D. in the Locomotor and Movement Control Lab at Auburn University. Her goal is to develop a greater understanding of movement disorders and aging to improve health outcomes and quality of life through physical activity.
Research Interests: gait, fall risk, movement disorders, postural control
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DAMARIS CIFUENTES
Damaris earned her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from North Park University in 2022 and is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Exercise Science at Auburn University. Her research focuses on walking mechanics within the lower extremity across diverse populations, examining the impact of footwear features on gait parameters. She is dedicated to advancing accessible gait assessments for underrepresented communities. This fall, she will begin her Doctorate in Kinesiology, specializing in biomechanics under the mentorship of Jaimie Roper, Ph.D., in the Locomotor and Movement Control Lab.
Research interests: gait analysis, motor control, lower extremity, biomechanics, aging, and footwear
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SILVIA CAMPOS-VARGAS
Silvia holds a B.S. in Statistics from the University of Costa Rica (UCR) and a B.S. in Electromechanical Engineering from Fidélitas University. Her research foundation was built at the Human Movement Science Research Center (CIMOHU), a key contributor to UCR’s esteemed reputation in human movement, sports performance, and health research in Costa Rica.
Currently, Silvia is pursuing a Master’s degree with plans to continue into a Ph.D. program under the mentorship of Dr. Jaimie Roper. Her academic journey is fueled by a deep commitment to enhancing the quality of life for older adults, particularly those with Parkinson's Disease (PD). Silvia is especially passionate about exploring innovative strategies to delay the progression of PD symptoms through exercise and physical activity or clinical interventions.
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KEVEN SANTAMARIA-GUZMAN
Keven is an ultrarunning enthusiast, an international technical delegate at World Triathlon, and a doctoral student at Auburn University. He completed two master's degrees in Human Movement Science and Administration at the University of Costa Rica. He has worked as a university professor in Costa Rica and as a technical delegate and mentor in multiple international triathlon events. His previous research examined running biomechanics, joint kinetics, stepping strategies, and gait biomechanical loading patterns.
As a Ph.D. student in the Locomotor and Movement Control Laboratory under Dr. Jaimie Roper's mentorship, he investigates how footwear features influence lower-body mechanics in older adults across various walking conditions, cognitive constraints, and surface inclinations. His research focuses on how footwear affects gait, balance, and motor independence in older adults. His work aims to guide the development of evidence-based footwear designs and targeted interventions that reduce fall risk while promoting mobility and independence in aging populations.
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BRANDON PEOPLES
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 is pursuing a PhD in Kinesiology, focusing on Biomechanics, under the supervision of Jaimie Roper, Ph.D., in the Locomotor and Movement Control Lab at Auburn University.
His passion lies in understanding the roles of global and local metabolism in the age-related changes observed in gait biomechanics and their influence on lower extremity joint kinematics and kinetics. He is also dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of gait and balance through community outreach. His goal is to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field of biomechanics and enhance mobility throughout the healthspan.
Research Interests: aging, biomechanics, gait bioenergetics, locomotor control, movement disorders, and mobility
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KENNY HARRISON
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: Movement disorders, aging, gait analysis, neuromodulation, motor control