While many college students use summer break to step away from academics, a group of Cornell College students is spending eight weeks conducting full-time, faculty-mentored research through the Cornell Summer Research Institute (CSRI), followed by a final presentation from each group on July 9–10.
Among this summer’s 20 research groups, one is tackling the biomechanics of everyday movement.
The Kinesiology Research Group, led by kinesiology professor and physical therapist Kristi Meyer, is studying how core and hip strength relate to gait biomechanics—how people walk and run.
“Being able to work with human subjects, gather real-time data, and use high-level technology like EMG and motion analysis cameras—it’s rare for undergraduates to get that kind of experience,” Meyer said.
The group includes three rising seniors, Heidi Jorgensen, Rylee Vandresar and, August Giurato.
All three are kinesiology majors and are interested in pursuing careers in the field. Each day, they collect data from volunteer subjects by attaching reflective markers, recording muscle activity, and running gait trials on treadmills. They’re analyzing how factors like core strength and hip stability may impact movement patterns—and potentially contribute to the overuse of injuries.
“All of the work we put in is incredibly beneficial and you learn so much,” said Giurato.
Working with human participants and sophisticated equipment is part of what drew the students to CSRI.
“It’s been cool to learn what it takes to design and execute a research study,” said Jorgensen. “You’re not just studying it—you’re doing it.”
Before any testing could begin, the team had to design their study and gain approval from Cornell’s Institutional Review Board, which ensures ethical treatment of human subjects. The process gave them firsthand experience in research ethics, data collection, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The learning hasn’t been limited to the lab.
“One of the best parts of CSRI is the community,” said Vandresar. “We live with students from all over campus in the same residence hall. You end up learning about other people’s research just by hanging out after dinner.”
CSRI director and assistant professor of mathematics & statistics Tyler George oversees the program, which includes weekly professional development seminars and two public poster sessions in early July. This year, 45 students are participating in 20 different projects.
“The benefit is immense. Students walk away with real research experience, deeper knowledge, and strong faculty connections,” George said.
For Meyer, who has led research teams for six summers, the payoff is seeing students grow as scholars and professionals.
“This is what we call a high-impact practice. It’s meaningful, intensive, and it often shapes how students think about their futures. That’s why I keep coming back,” said Meyer.
The kinesiology team’s project—“Core Strength and Biomechanical Gait Factors of Walking and Running”—will be presented alongside other CSRI work during a public poster session in the Thomas Commons (Hall-Perrine room) Tuesday, July 9, and Wednesday, July 10, from 3 to 5:15 p.m. Community members are welcome to attend.
“When you get to learn about something you’re interested in, you don’t want to stop. Having CSRI made me learn that I’m really interested in this field and it’s comforting because physical therapy is exactly what I want to pursue,” Jorgensen said.