Michael Busa

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Kinesiology

Michael joined IALS as the founding director of the Center for Human Health & Performance having completed two postdoctoral fellowships - one in biomechanics and the other in physical activity monitoring. Michael has wide ranging research experience spanning many domains including: biomechaics, motor control, exercise physiology, and physical activity and health measurement. Michael holds a BS in Engineering from the University of Portland, MS in Exercise Physiology from Eastern Michigan University, PhD in Biomechanics/Motor Control from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and is a Certified Bone Densitometry Technologist. Michael is also an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology. 

My research spans many domains of human movement including the control and coordination of gait, postural dynamics, and the assessment of physical activity. I apply principles founded in complex and dynamical systems to measures posture and gait with an interest in identifying features of disease and aging that can be used to either a) identify disease states either early in their course or ideally in a pre-clinical state.

I also work on the evaluation of wearable technologies that measure behavioral and metabolic targets. To this end, I collaborate with mathematicians, computer scientists, and measurement specialists to evaluate and improve metrics of physical activity.

Current Research
My current work - as core facility director -  is focused on developing methods, utilizing technology, and developing work flows to improve translational and basic studies conducted in the Human Testing Center. I work with researchers and their students/staff to maximize the utility of the equipment in the Human Testing Center. This includes consulting on project design and conducting technical trainings.

Additionally, I work with external customers - both academic and industry - to gain access to, and conduct experiments. If you have a specific project that relates to behavioral, biomechanical, and/or metabolic health I may be able to assist you with your experiments.

Academic Background

BSE - University of Portland, 2003
MS - Eastern Michigan University, 2009
PhD - University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2015