Call for Nominations -

Biomechanics SIG Career Awards 2027

NOMINATION DEADLINE - October 18, 2026

Early Career Investigator Award in Biomechanics Research: A nominee should have established regional or national recognition as an emerging expert in biomechanics or similar domain. The award is intended for a new investigator who has a developing scholarship record in biomechanics as it relates to the profession of physical therapy with a record of accomplishments indicative of future success. Nominees should be within 5 years of the completion of a postdoc or their terminal academic degree. The award criteria include items such as: peer-reviewed publications and presentations; research funding success; and the use of biomechanical research methods to advance physical therapy practice. In addition, applicants must demonstrate commitment to the APTA (minimum prerequisite of APTA and SIG membership). Those applicants with a history of direct engagement and service to the Biomechanics SIG and the advancement of the field of biomechanics will receive some preference in award selection.

Career Excellence Award in Biomechanics Research: A nominee should be an internationally recognized expert in biomechanics or similar domain that has had an important scholarly contribution and impact on the physical therapy profession. A nominee will show a strong commitment for a significant portion of their career to biomechanics research as demonstrated by items such as a history of securing extramural funding or a substantial record of peer-reviewed publications. There will also be some consideration given for mentorship and the support provided by the nominee to new and future scientists (students, postdocs and/or faculty).

Sponsorship: Both career awards are funded by an industry sponsor. The sponsor's name appears on each award, on this page, and when the awards are announced at the Biomechanics SIG Business Meeting at CSM 2027.

Nominations Procedures: There are no restrictions on who may nominate and self-nomination is encouraged. Please submit all nomination materials via email to the Awards Committee Chair of the Biomechanics SIG, Dr. Oscar Vila-Dieguez ([email protected]).

Submission Materials:

1) Letter of nomination (2-page limit) describing the contributions and reasons why the nominee meets the above criteria and should be considered for their respective Award. This description typically includes an explanation of the applicant’s research agenda and/or scientific contributions, and evidence of success in the award criterions. The letter should provide context of the applicant’s unique research opportunities and circumstances to enhance the committee’s understanding of the merit of the applicant’s accomplishments. Further, the letter can help the selection committee by providing an account of the applicant’s commitment to the field of biomechanics, the APTA, Academy of PT Research, and/or the Biomechanics SIG. This may include information on years of membership, years of attendance to national meetings, a biomechanical or physical therapy focus of scholarly publications, and history of service to the Biomechanics SIG, Academy of PT Research, APTA, and/or regional PT or biomechanics organizations.

2) Curriculum vitae focused on factors related to award selection such as publications, grants, awards, presentations, related service (grant review or editorial boards), specific service related to the Biomechanics SIG, mentorship history of new investigators and evidence of mentee success, etc.

3)  Nominees must be members of Biomechanics SIG at the time of submission. Please include the APTA membership number in the application materials.

MATERIAL SUBMISSION: The submission should be a single PDF file named by the nominee’s last name and first name initial, followed by the name of the award of either “EarlyCareer” or “CareerExcellence”, and the date of submission (example: JonesE_EarlyCareer_10_15_2026.pdf). An example subject header of the email should read, “Submission of Early Career Investigator Award in Biomechanics Research”.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: All nominations for early career or career excellence awards must be submitted by October 18, 2026. Selected nominees will be recognized at the business meeting of the Biomechanics SIG at CSM 2027 (February 4-6, 2027, Philadelphia, PA).

2026 Biomechanics SIG Career Award Winners

The Biomechanics SIG Career Awards are sponsored by Qualisys. Qualisys is a global leader in motion capture technology, providing high-precision optical tracking systems for biomechanics, sports performance, animation, and research applications. Their solutions combine advanced hardware with powerful software to deliver reliable motion data for clinical analysis, gait studies, and real-time 3D measurement.

2026 Career Excellence Award in Biomechanics Research:

Samuel R. Ward, PT, PhD

Dr. Samuel Ward is Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at UC San Diego and Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Radiology, and Bioengineering. Dr. Ward has served as Vice Dean for Research at the UC San Diego School of Medicine. Dr. Ward's research integrates muscle physiology, imaging, and clinical biomechanics to explain muscle and tendon structure-function relationships, and has shaped rehabilitation for rotator cuff tears, lumbar spine conditions, and muscle atrophy. Dr. Ward has trained more than 100 students, residents, postdoctoral fellows, and junior faculty.

2026 Early Career Investigator Award in Biomechanics Research:

Yo Shih, PT, PhD

Dr. Yo Shih is an Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and directs its Center for Human Performance Measurement. Dr. Shih's research examines sensorimotor integration and motor control in gait and balance, particularly in people with limb amputation and in older adults.

Previous Winners…