Blackburn Lab Group
Troy Blackburn, Ph.D, ATC
Chair and Professor, Exercise and Sport Science
Associate Director, MOTION Science Institute
Contact Information:
Email: troyb@email.unc.edu
Twitter: @BlackburnTroy
Dr. Blackburn’s research is focused on neuromuscular and biomechanical contributors to orthopaedic injury and disease, particularly knee pathologies. His current research efforts are aimed at understanding neuromechanical factors that influence the risk of developing post-traumatic knee osteoarthritis following ACL injury and novel rehabilitation approaches for reducing this risk.
Education
B.A. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
M.S. University of Pittsburgh
Ph.D University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
PubMed Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1B9Unqs-o-7QP/bibliography/public/
Awards and Honors:
Fellow, National Academy of Kinesiology (2022)
Fellow, American College of Sports Medicine (2020)
Fellow, National Athletic Trainers’ Association (2020)
American College of Sports Medicine Biomechanics Interest Group Career Achievement Award (2022)
National Athletic Trainers’ Association Research & Education Foundation Freddie H. Fu New Investigator Award (2009)
National Athletic Trainers’ Association Research & Education Foundation David H. Perrin Doctoral Dissertation Award (2007)
Postdoctoral Fellows
Tom Birchmeier, PhD, ATC, CSCS
Education
BA Hope College
MS Indiana University
PhD Michigan State University
Tom Birchmeier is a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Exercise and Sports Studies. He is the Research Coordinator for Dr. Troy Blackburn’s Department of Defense-funded clinical trial investigating the effects of vibration embedded in ACL reconstruction rehabilitation on quadriceps function and cartilage composition. Tom earned a Bachelor’s degree in athletic training from Hope College (2010) and completed his post-professional Master’s degree in athletic training at Indiana University (2012). He was the assistant athletic trainer and sports performance coordinator for strength and conditioning at Benedictine University (Lisle, IL) for 5 years before pursing his doctoral training at Michigan State University. Tom’s research focuses on risk factors for secondary traumatic knee injury after ACL reconstruction. He recently received a F32 Fellowship from the National Institute of Health National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. During the fellowship, Tom will be investigating the effects of vibration and ACL rehabilitation on jump landing biomechanics and quadriceps function after ACL reconstruction.
PubMed Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1lU-y2ugPylspg/bibliography/public/
PhD Students
Alex Nilius, MS
Education
BS Southeastern University
MS University of Illinois at Chicago
Alex completed her MS in Kinesiology (Biomechanics) from University of Illinois at Chicago (2020) and her BS in Kinesiology (Exercise Science) from Southeastern University (2017). Alex’s research aims to decrease PTOA risk as athletes return to sport post ACLR.
Justin Dennis, MS, CSCS
Education
BS California Baptist University
MS California State University, Fullerton
Justin completed his MS in kinesiology-biomechanics from California State University, Fullerton (2022) and his BS in kinesiology-sports medicine from California Baptist University (2020). Justin’s research aims to optimize lower extremity coordinated strategies to mitigate primary and secondary ACL injury risk.
Undergraduate Research Assistants:
Macey Balk ‘24
Macey is a junior undergraduate student majoring in Biology. She enjoys being outdoors, exercising, and hanging out with friends.
Nate Lopus ’24
Nate is a senior undergraduate student majoring in Biomedical Engineering and minoring in Neuroscience. He enjoys playing soccer, attending UNC sporting events, spending time at the lake, and hanging out with friends.
Sofia Ternes ’24
Sophia is a senior undergraduate student majoring in Exercise and Sport Science and Psychology. She enjoys hiking, baking, lifting weights, and watching sporting events.
John Kurz ‘24
John is a senior undergraduate student majoring in Biomedical Engineering with a specialization in rehabilitation engineering and medical microdevices. He enjoys exploring the outdoors, watching sports, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Emma Tyndall ‘25
Emma is a junior undergraduate student majoring in Exercise and Sport Science and Psychology and minoring in Sports Medicine. She is also a mellophone player in the Marching Tar Heels and serves as the social media manager for the band program.
Anna Patsalos ’25
Anna is a junior undergraduate student double majoring in Biology and Hispanic Linguistics with a minor in Chemistry. She enjoys playing soccer, traveling, and attending UNC sporting events.
James Louie ’25
James is a junior undergraduate student majoring in Biology and double minoring in Chemistry and Sports Medicine. He enjoys being outdoors, running, exercising, and hanging out with friends in his free time.
Delaney Young ’26
Delaney is a sophomore undergraduate student double majoring in Neuroscience and Exercise Sports Science. She enjoys watching football, weightlifting, and hanging out with her dog in her free time.
Lab Group Alumni
Marc Norcross, PhD, ATC (2011), Associate Professor, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University.
Derek Pamukoff, PhD, ATC (2015), Assistant Professor, School of Kinesiology, Western University.
FJ Goodwin, PhD, DPT (2018), Assistant Professor, Physical Therapy Education, Elon University.
Chris Johnston, PhD, ATC (2020), Assistant Professor, Department of Athletic Training, High Point University.
Derek Dewig, PhD, ATC (2022), Research Scientist, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University
Current Research Projects
The effects of vibration on indictors of post-traumatic knee osteoarthritis risk following anterior cruciate ligament injury
Effects of local muscle vibration on hamstrings function and landing biomechanics in individuals with ACL reconstruction using hamstrings tendon grafts
Effects of footwear on aberrant gait biomechanics in individuals with ACL reconstruction
Effects of local muscle vibration “prehabilitation” on quadriceps function, functional ability, and patient-reported outcomes in individuals scheduled for total knee replacement
Current Grant Funding
Blackburn (PI) (7/2021 – 6/2024)
The effects of vibration on indictors of post-traumatic knee osteoarthritis risk following anterior cruciate ligament injury
United States Department of Defense
Congressionally Directed Joint Warfighter Medical Research Program (JWMRP)
Funding Requested: $2,582,992
Birchmeier (PI) (9/2022 – 8/2024)
The effects of vibration on quadriceps function and landing biomechanics in individuals with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
National Institutes of Health
Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Postdoctoral Fellowship (F32)
Funding Awarded: $141,725