Brian Umberger
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brianumberger.bsky.social
Brian Umberger
@brianumberger.bsky.social
Biomechanics professor at the University of Michigan interested in the mechanics, energetics, and control of human locomotion
Reposted by Brian Umberger
Research on brain disorders may slow as young neuroscientists struggle to find jobs and research grants. n.pr/4pgmAna
As funding falters, young brain scientists rethink careers in research
Research on brain disorders may slow as young neuroscientists struggle to find jobs and research grants.
n.pr
November 15, 2025 at 7:03 PM
This thread and its various offshoots are shades of the old science twitter. I miss those days.
This raises what I like to call the "AI test for tasks".

If many people use AI to do task X, then that tells you that task X is actually just a brainless administrative exercise.

Any such task should probably be eliminated, and if that's not an option, modified to make automation even easier.
There was never any point to having reference letters. That's why we've all started using AI to do this nonesense task.

References should only be used for short-listed candidates for important positions/awards, and ideally, be done via a call to get the most honest opinion possible.
November 16, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Reposted by Brian Umberger
Garrett Stanley and I are leading the recruitment of a senior faculty position in BME at Georgia Tech and Emory, focused on Neural Engineering. Come talk to us, we're looking for a leader in research and training, in areas with neurotranslation potential.

More details here:
lnkd.in/eusCqCSR
November 15, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Reposted by Brian Umberger
Synergistic yet different: Rethinking the gastrocnemii as two functionally distinct muscles.

In this preprint perspective article, @francoishug.bsky.social and I delve into the biomechanics, anatomy, neural control, and function of the gastrocnemius muscles, two important calf muscles.
Synergistic yet different: Rethinking the gastrocnemii as two functionally distinct muscles
Abstract The human medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscles play important roles in gait, standing balance, and numerous sports activities. Because they share
papers.ssrn.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Reposted by Brian Umberger
Watch the @mobilizecenter.bsky.social/Restore Center webinar with @aclouthier.bsky.social and Erin Lee entitled “Integrating Bone and Joint Geometry into Musculoskeletal Models”

Research presentation: youtu.be/QtqDx3_uK9I
Tutorial: youtu.be/wqxQl3Dm9lc
Webinar: Integrating Bone and Joint Geometry into Musculoskeletal Models, Part 1 of 2
YouTube video by Mobilize Center
youtu.be
November 10, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Reposted by Brian Umberger
Our lab (Sayu Lab for Biomechanics and Locomotion) at the University of Utah is hiring a PhD Student to start Fall 2026! I can’t speak highly enough of Kota as a mentor, and on top of that we’re doing super neat science! Apply before Dec 1st. Job info below:

biomch-l.isbweb.org/forum/biomch...
PhD position in locomotion, energetics, foot-ankle, prosthetics, footwear - Univ of Utah (Salt Lake City, Utah, USA) - Biomch-L
Job Summary: Sayu Lab for Biomechanics & Locomotion (https://health.utah.edu/health-kinesiology/research/takahashi-lab), directed by Dr. Kota Takahashi at the University of Utah is seeking highly...
biomch-l.isbweb.org
November 11, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Reposted by Brian Umberger
Very excited about our new pre-print on an open-source package that I developed with some of my GT labmates!

Epically Powerful (EP) is a modular mechatronics infrastructure and open-source software package for building and operating wearable and general robotic systems.

arxiv.org/abs/2511.05033
November 11, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Reposted by Brian Umberger
🧠Want to start a #PhD in sensorimotor #neuroscience in Fall 2026? Our NIH- and NSF-funded lab at
@iubloomington.bsky.social uses human behavior and noninvasive brain stimulation to study motor learning and perception. More info: blocklab.net/openings.html or [email protected]. Deadline is Dec. 15.
November 10, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Reposted by Brian Umberger
A new #ScienceRobotics Focus article describes the design of the Omnia bionic leg with semi-powered knee and ankle, which helped the Rehab Tech team clinch first place at the 2024 Cybathlon leg prosthesis race. https://scim.ag/3J71Xuj
The Omnia bionic leg with a semipowered knee and ankle wins the Cybathlon 2024 leg prosthesis race
Rehab Tech’s Omnia prosthesis excelled at Cybathlon, showcasing advanced lower-limb prostheses and user-centered innovation.
scim.ag
November 9, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Often lost in the hullabaloo over SNAP funding is the fact that the wealthiest country in the world has 42 million people who need the support of an anti-hunger program. Shameful.
npr.org NPR @npr.org · 7d
JUST IN: The Trump administration late Saturday directed states that they must "immediately undo" any actions they have made to provide benefits to low-income families via SNAP.
Trump tells states to 'immediately undo' steps to fund November SNAP benefits
The Trump administration late Saturday directed states that they must "immediately undo" any actions they have made to provide benefits to low-income families via SNAP.
n.pr
November 9, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Reposted by Brian Umberger
Neural manifolds that orchestrate walking and stopping https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.11.08.687367v1
November 9, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Reposted by Brian Umberger
We must remove the language banning same-sex marriage that still exists in Michigan‘s Constitution. I’m taking the first step in the State Senate to put it on the ballot.

michiganadvance.com/2025/11/06/m...
Moss introduces resolution to put same-sex marriage on Michigan’s ballot amid SCOTUS concerns • Michigan Advance
State Sen. Jeremy Moss, the first openly gay state senator in Michigan, has introduced a resolution in the Senate to put a proposal on the ballot that would remove Michigan’s constitutional ban on sam...
michiganadvance.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Reposted by Brian Umberger
When asked to draw a scientist, school-age kids in the United States are increasingly sketching women, according to a study from 2018.

Read more on #STEMSTEAMDay: https://scim.ag/4qFrPON
November 8, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Reposted by Brian Umberger
Apparently the postings are up for several NIH director positions. Deadlines between 11/14 and 11/21. hr.nih.gov/careers/care...
hr.nih.gov
November 7, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Reposted by Brian Umberger
Sigh. NIH normally sends several hundred scientists to the SFN annual meeting to learn, exchange info, come up with new ideas, and advance science. (The exchange of ideas is the very core of the scientific enterprise.)

This year, no one from NIH will attend due to the gov't implosion.
Enjoy a broad range of lectures and network with experts in the field at #SfN25! 🧠

Gain valuable insights and tools to enhance your research and career.

Browse through to lectures and build your itinerary in the 2025 Neuroscience Meeting Planner

🔗 vist.ly/4de72

#neurosky #neuroskyence
November 7, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Reposted by Brian Umberger
The bird branch of evolution separated from mammals hundreds of millions of years ago. Yet, their cerebellum has the same structure as ours, including the zebrin bands. Here is the cerebellum of the zebra finch and the most amazing flyer of them all, the hummingbird. doi.org/10.1159/0005...
November 7, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Reposted by Brian Umberger
What to call your prof
November 6, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Living in the western part of the eastern time zone, we've reached that time of the year when I need to be careful not to complain about how early the sun is setting when talking with my relatives who live in Maine.
November 5, 2025 at 3:30 AM
Reposted by Brian Umberger
**Come work with us!!**

Three-year post-doc position funded by Parkinson's UK available Cardiff University - using TMS to study inhibition of planned stepping movements and better understand freezing of gait. Full details here - krb-sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Sear...

Please share!!
Research Associate: Neural Control of Movement in - Cardiff University - Job Details
Job Details: Research Associate: Neural control of movement in Parkinson's Disease School of Healthcare Sciences, Card
krb-sjobs.brassring.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Reposted by Brian Umberger
Across the International Space Station's modules, hundreds of experiments explore how life, materials, and even stars behave in microgravity.

Orbit more cosmic knowledge ➡️ w.wiki/tTY
November 2, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Reposted by Brian Umberger
The President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, PPFP, has been a jewel in the crown for faculty development and recruitment at the University of California for years and the results have been an expanded faculty with almost 100% tenure rates — unprecedented success.
November 2, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Reposted by Brian Umberger
🔬 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗱𝗼𝗰 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴!

I’m recruiting a postdoctoral researcher (@mdc-berlin.bsky.social, Berlin 🇩🇪, @niccolozampieri.bsky.social lab) for my @dfg.de -funded project on somatosensory feedback and locomotor control. Please repost and DM me if interested!

#locomotion #proprioception #neuromechanics
November 2, 2025 at 5:44 AM
Reposted by Brian Umberger
I'll also be looking to recruit an MS student to study the functional morphology and biomechanics of adhesion, friction, and/or locomotion in sea urchins, geckos, or anoles! Please share! @sicb-dcb-dvm.bsky.social @sicb.bsky.social
November 2, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Reposted by Brian Umberger
“The interior designer Conway Van der Wolk, who contracted polio as a child and has had mobility challenges since, has adapted her 125-year-old cottage on Cape Cod, Mass. “There hasn’t been a playbook for me,” she said. “I’ve figured out creative ways that are helpful”
Aging in Place Doesn’t Mean Making Your Home ‘Soulless’
www.nytimes.com
November 2, 2025 at 4:34 PM
PSA: For most people in the U.S., don’t forget to set your clocks back to 1950 before you go to bed tonight.
November 2, 2025 at 2:45 AM