Biomechanics SIG Career Award Winners

Career Excellence Award in Biomechanics Research is awarded to internationally recognized individuals who are considered an expert in biomechanics or similar domain. Has committed career efforts to research including securing extramural funding and dissemination through peer-reviewed publications. Has served as a mentor for students, postdocs and/or faculty to further biomechanics research.

2026 Career Excellence Award - 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.

Early Career Investigator Award in Biomechanics Research is awarded to individuals who have attained 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 and a recent record of accomplishments indicative of future success (grant funding, important contribution to the field, technological break-through, etc).

2026 Early Career Investigator Award - 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.