OHESDC Visits UNO’s Biomechanics and Kinesiology Laboratories to Discuss Collaboration

On 15 September 2026, Mr. Thitidej Tularak, Minister Counsellor, together with Dr. Siriporn Taokaew, Higher Education and Science Project Consultant, Office of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Royal Thai Embassy, Washington, D.C. (OHESDC), met with administrators and faculty members of the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) in Nebraska. The UNO delegation was led by Dr. Neal Grandgenett, Dean of the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (CEHHS); Dr. Nikolaos Stergiou, Assistant Dean and Director of the Division of Biomechanics and Research Development, CEHHS; Dr. Adam B. Rosen, Associate Professor and Director of the School of Health and Kinesiology; and Dr. Andrea Stiefvater, Associate Vice Chancellor for Global Engagement. OHESDC also visited UNO’s biomechanics and health and kinesiology laboratories and exchanged information with Chancellor Dr. Joanne Li, Senior Vice Chancellor Dr. Phil He, and Graduate College representatives on UNO’s education and research strengths, as well as opportunities for collaboration between Thai higher-education institutions and UNO.

The OHESDC delegation visited the Department of Biomechanics and the School of Health and Kinesiology (H&K), two key units within CEHHS. Both integrate interdisciplinary teaching and research in human movement, injury prevention, rehabilitation, sports performance, exercise physiology, health, and physical activity. The Department of Biomechanics combines biology, physiology, anatomy, physics, mathematics, engineering, and clinical sciences to study human movement and function, with applications in medicine, rehabilitation, assistive technologies, robotics, prosthetics, sports, and medical devices. Research areas include human movement biomechanics, rehabilitation and mobility, sports medicine and injury prevention, cardiovascular biomechanics, exercise physiology, and physical activity and health. UNO’s Biomechanics Research Building serves as a major research hub and houses the Department of Biomechanics, the Center for Research in Human Movement Variability (MOVCENTR), and the Center for Cardiovascular Research in Biomechanics. Its laboratories support research on movement, gait and balance, cardiovascular function, tissue science, and biomechanics, using technologies such as motion capture, force platforms, instrumented treadmills, virtual reality, and 3D printing. UNO also operates the Health Science Collaborative (HSC), which opened in Spring 2025 in the Health and Kinesiology Building. The more than 30,000-square-foot facility includes research laboratories, teaching spaces, and areas for collaboration with communities and external partners. Its UNO Pitching Lab evaluates athletes’ movement and supports research on performance, health, and injury prevention.

UNO’s expertise aligns with areas of interest to Thailand, including health sciences, rehabilitation, ageing-society research, sports science, physical activity, medical technology, and translational research. Potential collaboration may include student and researcher exchanges, joint research, curriculum development, shared use of laboratories and research infrastructure, and networking between Thai higher-education institutions and UNO researchers. Such cooperation could support advances in education, research, and practical applications in biomechanics, health promotion, rehabilitation, and related fields.