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
😃 In a new article published in J Biomech, Maarleveld et al. provide an overview on experimentally derived strength parameters, including physiological cross-sectional area, muscle mass, and relative muscle mass.
👀https://buff.ly/tKLBOii
👀https://buff.ly/tKLBOii
December 27, 2025 at 8:12 PM
😃 In a new article published in J Biomech, Maarleveld et al. provide an overview on experimentally derived strength parameters, including physiological cross-sectional area, muscle mass, and relative muscle mass.
👀https://buff.ly/tKLBOii
👀https://buff.ly/tKLBOii
I'm right there with our yard frog 🐸 and pig 🐷 as they do their best to ride out what's left of this bleak year
December 26, 2025 at 8:10 PM
I'm right there with our yard frog 🐸 and pig 🐷 as they do their best to ride out what's left of this bleak year
Reposted by Brian Umberger
Excited to share our work on how just a single camera can provide valuable visualizations and quantitative metrics to functional tasks. journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Clinical Assessments: Use of Video-Based Pose Estimation to Augment Post-Stroke Upper Limb Assessment of Bilateral Tasks - Rachel L Hawe, Shelby Ziccardi, Desmond Asante,...
Clinical assessments of the post-stroke upper limbs have several limitations in that they focus primarily on unilateral movements, rely on observer-based ordina...
journals.sagepub.com
December 22, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Excited to share our work on how just a single camera can provide valuable visualizations and quantitative metrics to functional tasks. journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
My motto coming down the home stretch of this especially hectic semester was based on the lyrics to a Gin Blossoms' song
If you don't expect too much from me, you might not be let down 🎶
#AcademicSky
If you don't expect too much from me, you might not be let down 🎶
#AcademicSky
December 20, 2025 at 10:25 PM
My motto coming down the home stretch of this especially hectic semester was based on the lyrics to a Gin Blossoms' song
If you don't expect too much from me, you might not be let down 🎶
#AcademicSky
If you don't expect too much from me, you might not be let down 🎶
#AcademicSky
Industry-based postdoc and intern opportunities:
The Robotics division of Honda Research Institute USA (San Jose, CA) has open postdoctoral and PhD-level summer internship positions in human biomechanical modeling
The Robotics division of Honda Research Institute USA (San Jose, CA) has open postdoctoral and PhD-level summer internship positions in human biomechanical modeling
Postdoctoral Scientist: Human Biomechanics - Honda Research Institute USA
usa.honda-ri.com
December 20, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Industry-based postdoc and intern opportunities:
The Robotics division of Honda Research Institute USA (San Jose, CA) has open postdoctoral and PhD-level summer internship positions in human biomechanical modeling
The Robotics division of Honda Research Institute USA (San Jose, CA) has open postdoctoral and PhD-level summer internship positions in human biomechanical modeling
Reposted by Brian Umberger
We took a stab at how to infer both the dynamics and control parameters of partially-observable systems.
It’s a nasty problem, but @vgeadah.bsky.social made tremendous progress, ending up with some really elegant formalisms.
It’s a nasty problem, but @vgeadah.bsky.social made tremendous progress, ending up with some really elegant formalisms.
In a system subject to unobserved control, can you infer both the underlying dynamics and the control objective? 🤔
A year ago, I was presenting our work at IEEE CDC on solving this problem for stochastic LQR.
arxiv.org/abs/2502.15014
Short 🧵 on the results, and how I think about them a year later.
A year ago, I was presenting our work at IEEE CDC on solving this problem for stochastic LQR.
arxiv.org/abs/2502.15014
Short 🧵 on the results, and how I think about them a year later.
December 18, 2025 at 6:51 PM
We took a stab at how to infer both the dynamics and control parameters of partially-observable systems.
It’s a nasty problem, but @vgeadah.bsky.social made tremendous progress, ending up with some really elegant formalisms.
It’s a nasty problem, but @vgeadah.bsky.social made tremendous progress, ending up with some really elegant formalisms.
Reposted by Brian Umberger
“Swearing is literally a calorie-neutral, drug-free, low-cost, readily available tool at our disposal for when we need a boost in performance.”
Does swearing make you stronger? Science says yes.
“A calorie-neutral, drug-free, low-cost, readily available tool for when we need a boost in performance.”…
arstechnica.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:19 PM
“Swearing is literally a calorie-neutral, drug-free, low-cost, readily available tool at our disposal for when we need a boost in performance.”
Reposted by Brian Umberger
If you're (1) into nhp neurophysiology and/or biological motor control, (2) a foreign big shot and (3) interested in moving here, please reach out -- this new program looks extremely attractive (min. $8M over 8y)! www.uwo.ca/research/can...
Canada-Impact-Plus - Research - Western University
www.uwo.ca
December 18, 2025 at 9:15 PM
If you're (1) into nhp neurophysiology and/or biological motor control, (2) a foreign big shot and (3) interested in moving here, please reach out -- this new program looks extremely attractive (min. $8M over 8y)! www.uwo.ca/research/can...
Reposted by Brian Umberger
⏳ Nominations for @amsocbiomech.bsky.social Individual Awards are due January 15.
From the Borelli to the Pre-Doc Award, help us celebrate the leaders and innovators in #Biomechanics.
Nominate a peer (or yourself!) today: asbweb.org/society-awards/
#Biomechanics #ASB2026 #ScienceExcellence
From the Borelli to the Pre-Doc Award, help us celebrate the leaders and innovators in #Biomechanics.
Nominate a peer (or yourself!) today: asbweb.org/society-awards/
#Biomechanics #ASB2026 #ScienceExcellence
December 18, 2025 at 8:40 PM
⏳ Nominations for @amsocbiomech.bsky.social Individual Awards are due January 15.
From the Borelli to the Pre-Doc Award, help us celebrate the leaders and innovators in #Biomechanics.
Nominate a peer (or yourself!) today: asbweb.org/society-awards/
#Biomechanics #ASB2026 #ScienceExcellence
From the Borelli to the Pre-Doc Award, help us celebrate the leaders and innovators in #Biomechanics.
Nominate a peer (or yourself!) today: asbweb.org/society-awards/
#Biomechanics #ASB2026 #ScienceExcellence
If carried out as planned, this study will be taught to thousands of research students as a contemporary example in the research ethics section of future responsible conduct of research courses.
December 18, 2025 at 3:45 AM
If carried out as planned, this study will be taught to thousands of research students as a contemporary example in the research ethics section of future responsible conduct of research courses.
Reposted by Brian Umberger
📢 Postdoctoral Opportunity – Neural control of movement in Parkinson’s (3 years)
This fantastic three-year postdoctoral position at Cardiff University and funded by Parkinson's UK, has now re-opened for applications.
Full details and application here: krb-sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Sear...
This fantastic three-year postdoctoral position at Cardiff University and funded by Parkinson's UK, has now re-opened for applications.
Full details and application here: krb-sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Sear...
December 17, 2025 at 1:09 PM
📢 Postdoctoral Opportunity – Neural control of movement in Parkinson’s (3 years)
This fantastic three-year postdoctoral position at Cardiff University and funded by Parkinson's UK, has now re-opened for applications.
Full details and application here: krb-sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Sear...
This fantastic three-year postdoctoral position at Cardiff University and funded by Parkinson's UK, has now re-opened for applications.
Full details and application here: krb-sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Sear...
Reposted by Brian Umberger
There are a couple of weeks left to apply! I just heard that we can also accept PhD students with a suitable background, so extending the call to those as well. #biomech_sky
My research group has an open position for a postdoc! Interested in investigating the postural transition towards mammalian gait using movement simulations? We might have the right position for you! More details and application info here: www.asm.tf.fau.de/en/2025/11/1...
Postdoctoral researcher for DFG-funded project “FossilGaitSim”
The Biomechanical Motion Analysis and Creation (BioMAC) group at the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) invites applications for a postdoctoral position with the goal to…
www.asm.tf.fau.de
December 16, 2025 at 8:42 AM
There are a couple of weeks left to apply! I just heard that we can also accept PhD students with a suitable background, so extending the call to those as well. #biomech_sky
Reposted by Brian Umberger
‘No Way To Prevent This,’ Says Only Nation Where This Regularly Happens https://theonion.com/no-way-to-prevent-this-says-only-nation-where-this-regularly-happens-3/
December 15, 2025 at 5:21 PM
‘No Way To Prevent This,’ Says Only Nation Where This Regularly Happens https://theonion.com/no-way-to-prevent-this-says-only-nation-where-this-regularly-happens-3/
Reposted by Brian Umberger
“Merriam-Webster clearly has a pro-dictionary bias that’s preventing it from considering all words equally,” lexicographer Alison Nielsen wrote in a widely shared social media post that lambasted the Merriam-Webster editorial team
Merriam-Webster Accused Of Bias After ‘Dictionary’ Named Word Of The Year
SPRINGFIELD, MA—Facing intense backlash and scrutiny from critics who say the reference book publisher had failed to take all words into consideration, Merriam-Webster was accused of bias Monday after...
theonion.com
December 16, 2025 at 12:00 AM
“Merriam-Webster clearly has a pro-dictionary bias that’s preventing it from considering all words equally,” lexicographer Alison Nielsen wrote in a widely shared social media post that lambasted the Merriam-Webster editorial team
Reposted by Brian Umberger
Spinal motor neurons in dazzling detail. ✨
Each green dot is a spinal motor neuron - crucial but rare cells making up just 1% of neurons in the spinal cord. In diseases like ALS, they are selectively damaged, making them of special interest to neuroscientists.
#neuroskyence #FluorescenceFriday
Each green dot is a spinal motor neuron - crucial but rare cells making up just 1% of neurons in the spinal cord. In diseases like ALS, they are selectively damaged, making them of special interest to neuroscientists.
#neuroskyence #FluorescenceFriday
December 12, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Spinal motor neurons in dazzling detail. ✨
Each green dot is a spinal motor neuron - crucial but rare cells making up just 1% of neurons in the spinal cord. In diseases like ALS, they are selectively damaged, making them of special interest to neuroscientists.
#neuroskyence #FluorescenceFriday
Each green dot is a spinal motor neuron - crucial but rare cells making up just 1% of neurons in the spinal cord. In diseases like ALS, they are selectively damaged, making them of special interest to neuroscientists.
#neuroskyence #FluorescenceFriday
Reposted by Brian Umberger
I am looking to hire a great postdoc to join our lab in sunny Eugene at the University of Oregon for fun behavioral/fMRI experiments on sensorimotor control in young and older adults. Please share/get in touch if interested! pages.uoregon.edu/mmar/
December 12, 2025 at 4:43 AM
I am looking to hire a great postdoc to join our lab in sunny Eugene at the University of Oregon for fun behavioral/fMRI experiments on sensorimotor control in young and older adults. Please share/get in touch if interested! pages.uoregon.edu/mmar/
Reposted by Brian Umberger
There isn't a single problem "solved" by edtech that couldn't be fixed with smaller classes led by well-paid teachers given real academic freedom
December 12, 2025 at 6:23 PM
There isn't a single problem "solved" by edtech that couldn't be fixed with smaller classes led by well-paid teachers given real academic freedom
Reposted by Brian Umberger
Word of the day, should you be feeling a little huffish, is ‘apanthropy’ (18th century): a love of solitude and the desire to be away from other people.
December 13, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Word of the day, should you be feeling a little huffish, is ‘apanthropy’ (18th century): a love of solitude and the desire to be away from other people.
Reposted by Brian Umberger
New paper out on @openmindjournal.bsky.social *
I propose balance is a core biophysical self-regulatory function, organisationally akin to thermo-regulation. Might seem radical off the bat, but by the end of the paper I hope you'll agree it seems pretty obvious.
doi.org/10.1162/OPMI...
I propose balance is a core biophysical self-regulatory function, organisationally akin to thermo-regulation. Might seem radical off the bat, but by the end of the paper I hope you'll agree it seems pretty obvious.
doi.org/10.1162/OPMI...
What is Balance? A Vital Mechano-Regulation Paradigm
Abstract. Within minutes of birth a newborn gnu or giraffe works to stand and walk, asserting postural balance and organised animate behaviour in an apparently goal-directed manner. In contrast, robot...
doi.org
December 10, 2025 at 11:03 AM
New paper out on @openmindjournal.bsky.social *
I propose balance is a core biophysical self-regulatory function, organisationally akin to thermo-regulation. Might seem radical off the bat, but by the end of the paper I hope you'll agree it seems pretty obvious.
doi.org/10.1162/OPMI...
I propose balance is a core biophysical self-regulatory function, organisationally akin to thermo-regulation. Might seem radical off the bat, but by the end of the paper I hope you'll agree it seems pretty obvious.
doi.org/10.1162/OPMI...
Reposted by Brian Umberger
📣We have 2 open faculty positions for senior researchers in Neuroscience at Queen's University!
healthsci.queensu.ca/administrati...
1. a new Director for our Centre for Neuroscience Studies
2. a non-human primate NeuroAI researcher
Please share widely and reach out for questions!
healthsci.queensu.ca/administrati...
1. a new Director for our Centre for Neuroscience Studies
2. a non-human primate NeuroAI researcher
Please share widely and reach out for questions!
Administrative Opportunities
healthsci.queensu.ca
December 9, 2025 at 6:55 PM
📣We have 2 open faculty positions for senior researchers in Neuroscience at Queen's University!
healthsci.queensu.ca/administrati...
1. a new Director for our Centre for Neuroscience Studies
2. a non-human primate NeuroAI researcher
Please share widely and reach out for questions!
healthsci.queensu.ca/administrati...
1. a new Director for our Centre for Neuroscience Studies
2. a non-human primate NeuroAI researcher
Please share widely and reach out for questions!
Reposted by Brian Umberger
How do neural circuits generate the walking rhythm?
Using connectome simulations, @sarahpugly.bsky.social found a minimal central pattern generator (CPG) that produces oscillations in leg motor neurons. Same circuit motif for each 🪰 leg.
w @bingbrunton.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Using connectome simulations, @sarahpugly.bsky.social found a minimal central pattern generator (CPG) that produces oscillations in leg motor neurons. Same circuit motif for each 🪰 leg.
w @bingbrunton.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
December 9, 2025 at 5:50 PM
How do neural circuits generate the walking rhythm?
Using connectome simulations, @sarahpugly.bsky.social found a minimal central pattern generator (CPG) that produces oscillations in leg motor neurons. Same circuit motif for each 🪰 leg.
w @bingbrunton.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Using connectome simulations, @sarahpugly.bsky.social found a minimal central pattern generator (CPG) that produces oscillations in leg motor neurons. Same circuit motif for each 🪰 leg.
w @bingbrunton.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Brian Umberger
Free for everyone. Because verified, accessible knowledge is a human right. Donate now ➡️ donate.wikipedia25.org
#Wikipedia25
#Wikipedia25
December 9, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Free for everyone. Because verified, accessible knowledge is a human right. Donate now ➡️ donate.wikipedia25.org
#Wikipedia25
#Wikipedia25
Reposted by Brian Umberger
In 2020, I started to run every street in Ann Arbor and noticed the Neighborhood Watch signs around town. I was curious and learned that they came out of the 1994 Crime Bill effort for "community policing", and are part of a deeply racist tradition that aims to exclude people that "don't belong".
Neighborhood Watch: Invading the Community, Evading Constitutional Limits
By Adeoye Johnson, Published on 01/01/16
scholarship.law.upenn.edu
December 10, 2025 at 12:16 AM
In 2020, I started to run every street in Ann Arbor and noticed the Neighborhood Watch signs around town. I was curious and learned that they came out of the 1994 Crime Bill effort for "community policing", and are part of a deeply racist tradition that aims to exclude people that "don't belong".
Reposted by Brian Umberger
The impact of mechanical requirements on the neural control of skeletal muscle and subsequent energetic rates https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2025.12.04.692254v1
December 9, 2025 at 8:01 PM
The impact of mechanical requirements on the neural control of skeletal muscle and subsequent energetic rates https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2025.12.04.692254v1
The FIFA Peace Prize, brought to you by Four Seasons Total Landscaping
December 7, 2025 at 12:33 AM
The FIFA Peace Prize, brought to you by Four Seasons Total Landscaping