As summer begins, the Robert H. Brooks Sport Science Institute is excited to introduce the two interns who will be assisting the Institute throughout the summer. Meet Evelyn Lane and Maria Pocorobba, who bring a mix of returning knowledge and new ideas to the summer team.
Evelyn Lane
Evelyn Lane, senior marketing major and Spanish minor from Piedmont, South Carolina, is the Institute’s communications lead this summer. She will format and enhance sports science content, promoting the RHBSSI mission through social channels. She will also help develop and write content for the Institute’s Sports Insight blog.
“I am so happy to be returning to the Institute to continue to promote the sports research and newest developments of Clemson faculty, staff and students,” Lane said. “I am also so excited to improve my writing and communication skills through creating articles for the Sports Insight blog.”
Evelyn has previously worked as an account manager and brand strategist with Cadency, Clemson’s student-led agency, and is a returning intern with the RHBSSI from the Spring 2025 semester. She is excited to take her experience from the past semester and continue to help grow the Institute’s social media presence, and is eager to work with her fellow intern and see what they can accomplish.
Maria Pocorobba
Maria Pocorobba, senior communications major and minor in business and brand communication from Albany, New York, is the Institute’s content creator this summer. She will be assisting with strategizing, writing and designing content for the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute to help communicate effectively with their audiences and promote upcoming events and initiatives.
“I am excited to continue combining my passion for design with sports, and gain more hands-on experience creating engaging visuals that bring RHBSSI’s mission to life and connect with the campus community,” Pocorobba said.”I am excited to bring my creative background and skills to RHBSSI this summer!”
She interned with the Brooke T Smith Launchpad as an Analyst in Residence, was a Creative Designer for Cadency, and is a Graphic Design intern for Clemson Athletics. In these roles, she creates social media content, branding elements, and promotional materials.
Coming into the new year of 2025, the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute welcomes four new and one returning student intern for the spring 2025 semester. The five come with outstanding backgrounds, looking to bring new ideas and advances to the Institute.
Griffin Barfield
Griffin Barfield is a junior Communication major and Spanish minor from Oceanport, NJ. He is the lead writer and editing intern for the Institute for the spring semester. This role involves providing the University with content about breakthroughs in the sports science community that are occurring at Clemson, interviewing students and faculty about the endeavors.
“I’m excited to get going with the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute,” Barfield said. “I’m looking forward to writing about unique advances that are occurring right here on campus and the people behind them.”
In addition to writing with RHBSSI this semester, Barfield is the current sports editor of The Tiger, Clemson student newspaper. While managing a newsroom of over 23 reporters, his experience in this role will help look deeper into the people behind the advances in the sport science world, hoping to tell a one-of-a-kind story.
Evelyn Lane
Evelyn Lane is from Piedmont, SC and is a junior Marketing major with a minor in Spanish. She is the Institute’s communications lead, creating content for the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute’s social media handles.
“I am so excited to work with RHBSSI to help promote the Institute and all of the amazing things they do for the faculty, students, and university as a whole,” Lane said. “I am looking forward to continuing to improve my skills in marketing communications and social media strategy, as well as work with my fellow interns and see all the things we will be able to accomplish together.”
Lane previously worked with Cadency, Clemson University’s student-led brand agency, for the last two years. While working with the agency’s social media account and brand strategy, she will look to bring that experience to the Institute in the spring semester.
Natalie Bell
Natalie Bell is a senior Graphic Communications major with a minor in Brand Communications from Greenville, SC. Returning from the fall semester, she will continue her work as the lead graphic design intern in the spring with the Institute, creating visual media to benefit sports science efforts at Clemson.
“I am excited to return as the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute graphic design lead!” Bell said. “I loved my experience as a RHBSSI intern last fall. I look forward to seeing how I can further apply my graphic design skills to our events and promotional materials.”
Bell returns with the skills gained from the Institute a semester ago, where she will build off of her work from the fall. She is also currently the creative director in Cadency, looking to continue to use experience from her work there to enhance the Institute.
Nicole Souza
Nicole Souza is a senior Bioengineering major from Duxbury, MA. She will serve as the technical communications specialist, acting as the technical knowledge base for concepts and technologies related to the events in sports science. She will also help with getting a firsthand look at the hard work that happens behind the scenes of these endeavors.
“I’m really looking forward to working with the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute,” Souza said. “It’s just a unique opportunity to collaborate with students from across campus and help share the Institute’s mission.”
Previously, Souza spent time in the industry through valuable internship experiences, working with medical devices and pharmaceutical companies. It has allowed her to receive a strong, technical foundation in science and engineering, which will help recognize the actions that are being done in the field of sports science.
Keeleigh Bush
Keeleigh Bush is from Rutherfordton, NC and is a senior Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management major with an emphasis in Tourism and Event Management. She is the events lead intern for the spring semester, arranging events over the course of the upcoming months.
“I am extremely excited to get started this semester as the Events lead for the RHBSSI!” Bush said. “This is such an incredible opportunity to expand my network, and apply the skills and experience I have learned over the past three years. I’m looking forward to working with the team and being hands-on this semester.”
Bush also serves as the public relations chair for the Clemson Event Planners Association. With this role, she will use her experience to help plan exciting events for RHBSSI to hold over the course of the spring semester.
The Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute is thrilled to welcome six new Clemson faculty and staff members to its cohort of fellows beginning Spring 2025.
Marissa Shuffler
Associate Professor, Psychology
Shuffler has over a decade of experience conducting basic and applied research in the areas of team development, leadership and organizational effectiveness. Shuffler is director of Clemson’s DIGITAL (Deriving Innovative & riGorous scIence for Teaming And Leading) Research Lab, supervising a team of graduate and undergraduate students. Her research focuses on the study of scientifically derived, innovative interventions needed to develop, sustain and maximize inter- and intra-team functioning and wellbeing. Shuffler’s work also addresses the challenges of leading and leadership development in high risk and complex environments, including healthcare systems, the military and spaceflight. To date, Shuffler has served as Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator for more than two dozen research projects totaling over $23 million in funding from federal and private entities. In 2017, Shuffler was awarded a prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER grant for her research exploring team development interventions and the use of latent profile analysis as a mechanism for better designing interventions for team effectiveness.
Jessica Aviles
Assistant Professor, Industrial Engineering
Avilés specializes in understanding how people move, why they move the way they move and how to help them move better. Her passions lie in improving mobility by applying innovative training interventions and assistive devices. Her research interests cover industrial athlete rehabilitation, fall prevention and human factors and ergonomics in healthcare. At Clemson, her work revolves are exoskeletal research. With a doctorate in Biomedical Engineering, Avilés has taught senior-level occupational biomechanics and also the design and analysis of work systems. Avilés is a Brooks grant awardee and principal investigator in the PHASE (Pursuing Health through Adaptation, Sports and Ergonomics) Lab at Clemson.
Tyler Harvey
Senior Lecturer, Bioengineering
Harvey received his Ph.D. in Bioengineering from Clemson in 2018. Since then, he has taught undergraduate courses in sports engineering, bioengineering design theory, applied biomedical design, bioengineering ethics and entrepreneurship and more. His research interests involve cognitive impacts of virtual reality sports training, sports biomechanics, computational modeling of living systems and more. Harvey is passionate about increasing access to STEM for underserved and underrepresented groups.
Amy Pope
Principal Lecturer, Physics and Astronomy
Pope combines her passion for physics and sports to create engaging learning experiences for students. She teaches Physics of Sports, a course that uses real-world athletic scenarios to illustrate core physics principles. Her contributions to The Conversation on the physics of breakdancing and ski jumping highlight the physical processes behind these Olympic sports, making complex concepts relatable to a broader audience. As a faculty member in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, Pope leverages the universal appeal of sports to make physics more accessible, relevant and engaging for all learners.
Leona Ransdell
4-H Equine Program Leader
Ransdell received her B.S. in Animal Science with an Equine Business concentration from Clemson in 2012. She has served as a 4-H Agent with both the Clemson Cooperative Extension and Virginia Cooperative Extension as the 4-H Equine Program Director. In Virginia, Leona led educational teams to multiple wins at the Eastern National 4-H Horse Championships and managed one of the largest youth-only horse shows on the East Coast. She also coached the Virginia Tech Western and Horse Judging teams and taught equine science and biomechanics courses. Additionally, she earned her AQHA Level 1 Judging Card. Returning to Clemson in 2024, Leona hopes to build on the past successes of the 4-H program in South Carolina with a special focus on the educational events and programs to help mitigate the lack of large animal veterinarians. She is excited to further the interests of the equine industry and bring together stakeholders to address and build a strong future for the equine industry in South Carolina.
Christopher Chouinard
Assistant Professor, Chemistry
After briefly working as a project manager for a contract research lab in Massachusetts, Chouinard received Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Florida. There, he worked under world-renowned mass spectrometrist Rick Yost and was responsible for integrating drift tube-ion mobility spectrometry (DTIMS) into the Yost lab. Chris’ interests at UF involved IM-MS studies of clinical molecules (steroids, Vitamin D metabolites) and he received grant funding through the Partnership for Clean Competition to develop novel IM-MS methods for improved identification of anabolic androgenic steroids in athletes. Chouinard then engaged in a prestigious post-doctoral position at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, WA where he worked with Dick Smith, another world leader in mass spectrometry, designing and developing a Structures for Lossless Ion Manipulations (SLIM) platform that enabled the first integration of LC into the SLIM IM-MS pipeline for improved analysis in phosphoproteomics. Chouinard joined Clemson in 2022 and continues his work in ion mobility-mass spectrometry.
Any Clemson faculty or staff making contributions to the sports field, broadly defined, are invited to apply to become members of the Institute. Fellows meet twice annually, collaborate on multi-disciplinary projects and are eligible to receive additional funding from RHBSSI for their work. Click here to view the full list of fellows and click here to learn more about becoming a Brooks Fellow.
After a successful summer semester, the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute welcomes four new and one returning intern for fall. These students come with excellent qualifications, fresh perspectives and innovative ideas that they will bring to the Institute.
Grace O’Donnell
Grace O’Donnell, a senior Sports Communication major from Allentown, NJ, is the Institute’s writing and editing intern for the fall 2024 semester. In her role, she will interview faculty and students and write meaningful content about sports science research and creative endeavors happening at Clemson.
“I am so excited to work with the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute and help further their mission in any way possible,” O’Donnell said. “I am passionate about bringing real people’s stories to life and constantly finding unique, innovative ways to showcase their accomplishments.”
O’Donnell also serves as the sports editor of The Tiger, Clemson’s student newspaper. There, she oversees a staff of 25 reporters looking to put their personal touch on stories related to Clemson Athletics. Her experience in this role will enable her to dive deeper into each profile, paragraph and sentence for the semester ahead.
Katie Gerbasich
Katie Gerbasich, a sophomore Sports Communication major from Houston, TX, is the Institute’s events and writing assistant for the fall. Throughout the semester, she will help coordinate various events and contribute to the Sports Insight blog.
“I am thrilled to work together with these amazing people and help promote the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute,” Gerbasich said. “This is an opportunity for me to expand my network on campus while gaining valuable work experience. The Institute is already such an incredible community that I look forward to learning more about first-hand.”
Gerbasich previously worked as an intern for the Community Impact Newspaper where she wrote feature articles and experienced a professional newsroom. She hopes to draw on her sports photography experience to help the Institute curate content and increase engagement.
Kyler Blose
Kyler Blose is senior from Lexington, SC and is majoring in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management with an emphasis in Tourism and Event Management. She is the events lead intern for the fall semester and her main focus will be on facilitating the arrangements for the fall symposium (RECESS) and other events.
“I am extremely excited to be hands-on with this team,” Blose said. “The opportunity to build on the experience and skills that I’ve learned over the past three years is huge for me and I cannot wait to see all we accomplish this fall.
This is one of the best kinds of challenges for me, both personally and professionally, and it is a chance for me to put my skills to the test! I’m thrilled to learn more about the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute and how they serve the University and be able to showcase everyone’s hard work.”
This past summer, Blose worked with the City of Easley Parks and Recreation Department as part of her final required internship to gain experience in sports management, community recreation and event planning. She is excited to apply all she has learned to RHBSSI and put on some great events this semester.
Natalie Bell
Natalie Bell is a senior Graphic Communications major and Brand Communications minor from Greenville, SC. She is the Institute’s graphic design intern this semester and will create visual materials to promote Clemson sports science activities.
“I am most excited about dipping my toes into a different side of marketing and learning more about RHBSSI,” Bell said. “I worked for a small marketing agency this past spring, so I look forward to creating graphics and generating ideas for a different market than before.”
When Bell is not living and breathing the Adobe Creative Suite, she enjoys taking film photos, spending time with friends and family outdoors and reading in her free time.
Taylor Erdman
Taylor Erdman is a senior Sports Communication major with a Business Administration minor from Eastchester, NY. Returning from the summer, she will rejoin the Institute as their communications lead, creating content for social media and assisting with the Sports Insight blog.
“As the only returning intern, I am excited to be a role model for my fellow interns and assist them in any way that I can,” Erdman said. “Working for the Institute has been such a rewarding experience and I cannot wait to continue promoting all the amazing opportunities they have to offer. Specifically, I’m looking forward to educating the Clemson community on our fall symposium.”
Erdman plans to use all the skills and information she acquired over the summer in her work for the fall semester. She has also held various roles within the marketing and communication industry that will help her in her current role with the Institute.
The Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute is excited to welcome three new Clemson faculty members to the Institute’s fellows program this fall. Their backgrounds in various areas of the sports sciences are why they have been nominated and chosen to join this cohort of experts and we are excited to have them on the team.
College of Behavioral, Social, and Health Sciences
Felipe Tobar, Ph.D.
Felipe Tobar, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management at Clemson University. An international scholar, he first earned his Bachelor of Law and Social Science and a Master’s in Cultural Heritage and Society from Univille University in Brazil. He later obtained a Ph.D. in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management from Clemson University.
Tobar’s research interests are centered around sport, tourism, heritage, events and politics. His early academic work has been featured in several international journals including the International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, Soccer and Society, Journal of Sport and Tourism, and the International Journal of Sport and Society. He also founded the @FootballStudies YouTube channel where academics, professionals, and industry experts debate various aspects of the world of football.
Some of the courses that Tobar has taught at Clemson include:
Profession and Practice in PRTM
Sport Tourism
Heritage Tourism
Recreation Policymaking
Program and Event Planning in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism
College of Engineering, Computing, and Applied Sciences
Julian Brinkley, Ph.D.
Julian Brinkley, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the School of Computing at Clemson University as well as the director of Design and Research of In-Vehicle Experiences Lab (DRIVE Lab). Brinkley earned his B.A. at the University of North Carolina – Greensboro and his M.Sc. from East Carolina University in Software Engineering. He then went on to earn his Ph.D. from the University of Florida in Human-Centered Computing.
Brinkley’s research focuses on the intersection of user experience, accessibility, and highly and fully automated vehicles. Several notable organizations have funded his research, including the National Science Foundation, the US Department of Transportation, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. His work has made significant contributions in making autonomous vehicles more accessible, more specifically supported by the DRIVE Lab team’s selection as semifinalists in the DOT’s Inclusive Design Challenge.
Here are a few of the classes that Brinkley has taught at Clemson:
Chris Corr, PhD., will be joining the Athletic Leadership program at Clemson University as a Senior Lecturer starting in the fall of 2024. Corr earned his Bachelor’s in Telecommunications Management from the University of Florida followed by his Master’s in Sport Management also from the University of Florida. He then obtained his Ph.D. in Sport and Entertainment from the University of South Carolina. Before coming to Clemson, Corr spent three years as an assistant professor for the Sorrell College of Business at Troy University.
Corr currently studies intercollegiate athletics specializing in organizational development. He has authored or co-authored over 25 referred publications and has been published in some of the top journals in his field, including the Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics and Sport Sociology Journal. During his time at Troy, Corr received multiple teaching awards at both the program and university levels and also advised a successful NCAA graduate student grant.
While Corr is new to Clemson, some of the classes he has taught at other schools include Governance & Policy in Sport, Sport Finance, The Student Athlete Experience and more.
This fall, the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute (RHBSSI) will host Clemson University’s first Sports Science Research & Creative Endeavors Symposium (RECESS). Faculty, staff, students and other Clemson stakeholders interested in the sports sciences are welcome at the event. Attendees will have the opportunity to network, peruse posters, enjoy refreshments and more.
“We are thrilled to welcome you to our inaugural Research & Creative Endeavors Symposium, and hope that all that are engaged in the Sports Sciences, whether that be in Business, Athletics or Engineering can come, share and enjoy,” offered John DesJardins, interim director of RHBSSI. “As the acronym RECESS suggests, we hope to make it fun and engaging.”
The sports science symposium will take place at the Madren Center, Ballroom B on October 24 from 5-8 p.m. EST. Stay tuned for a full agenda of the event.
If you are interested in attending, you can RSVP here. If you are interested in presenting your work at RECESS, email John DesJardins at jdesjar@clemson.edu or fill out the participation form here.
Clemson faculty from any department and discipline are invited to apply for the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute’s seed grant program for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Due in InfoEd by March 29, proposals should aim to accelerate Clemson faculty members’ ability to address significant scientific and societal problems associated with and improve the human condition through sports, broadly defined. The ideal outcome is to achieve nationally and internationally recognized research programs with external funding, significant awards, or scientific products. These efforts should support key areas that align with the Clemson Elevate strategic plan.
RHBSSI seed grant funding is intended to serve as a catalyst to move selected projects to a point that makes them highly competitive submissions for future external funding and impact. By the nature of the targeted funding, successful proposals will likely include multiple faculty members and/or students, multiple disciplines, and perhaps researchers and participants from other institutions, as long as the principal investigator is from Clemson.
Faculty must work with their college-sponsored programs support center to submit their proposals of $30,000 or less through the InfoEd portal in accordance with college-sponsored programs support center procedures. Click here to learn more about the requirements and application process.
The Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute at Clemson University serves as a multi-disciplinary platform for the academic study of sport sciences across the university. Through the foundation of four Legacy Professors in motorsports engineering, sports communication, sports management and sports marketing, the institute defines, enhances and promotes the role of sports in academia and society. We provide experiential learning opportunities through academic programs, research, sports organizations and support for service and outreach programs. Through all of our activities, we seek to prepare people to perform at the highest levels within sports industries, as well as provide an acute understanding of the significance of sport in modern society.
We also work with faculty, staff and students from disciplines across the university in the study of sport. This comprehensive study of sports encompasses the enhancement of individual and organizational performance, the advancement of human development, and the promotion of improved general health and social well-being within our communities. Over time, the institute has cultivated valuable partnerships with industry stakeholders, fostering opportunities for research, academic program development and student internships.
Background
Robert H. Brooks, a Clemson University alum and philanthropist
The naming of the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute is a testament to the enduring philanthropic spirit of Robert H. Brooks. Brooks is a Clemson University alum who earned a degree in dairy science in 1960. In an effort to give back to his alma mater, Brooks provided substantial funding to the university, with the vision of establishing a sports science institute as a tribute to the members of his racing team, including his son Mark Brooks ’91, NASCAR Champion Alan Kulwicki, and co-workers Dan Duncan and Charlie Campbell, who tragically died in a plane crash in 1993.
After earning his degree from Clemson, Brooks went on to become a revolutionary in the food-service industry, going on to found Naturally Fresh, Inc. and eventually becoming the chairman of Hooters of America, Inc. Driven by a profound love for Clemson University and a commitment to giving back to his alma mater, the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science stands as an inspiring symbol of his generosity and commitment to furthering the study of sports.
Initiatives
With national championships and top 25 academic rankings, Clemson University is known for its excellence on the field and in the classroom and research lab. The Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute seeks to marry these areas of excellence through the academic study of sport sciences.
“As Director of RHBSSI, I often tell people I work at the intersection of Academic Street and Athletic Avenue.”
– Brett Wright, Ph.D., director of Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute
Today, the institute supports research and scholarships as well as Legacy Professors named for Brooks’ son and three colleagues who past away. The reach of the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute is an effort that is ever growing and evolving with the addition of research seed grants, a lecture series and other initiatives, including but not limited to:
Brooks Student Scholars: Culmination of students awarded Markvan Bellamy Brooks Endowed Scholarships, graduate students funded as teaching and/or research assistants in the institute’s legacy departments (motorsports engineering, sports communication, sports management and sports marketing), and other students actively engaged in the study of sport.
Markvan Bellamy Brooks Endowed Scholarship: This fund provides scholarships to undergraduate students who major in one of the legacy programs: automative engineering, sports management, sports communication, and sports marketing.
Research Seed Grants: Each year, competitive seed grants are awarded to Clemson faculty and researchers to engage in multidisciplinary sports research.
Robert H. Brooks Lecture Series in Sports Sciences: The lecture series features notable speakers from the intersection of sports, society and academics. It highlights leading-edge work in sports sciences outside of the Institute and provides a mechanism for engaging the entire Clemson community in the Institute’s work.
Clemson University undertakes this mission out of deep respect for Robert H. Brooks and as testimony to his love for Clemson University and his love for sports.
Stay Connected with RHBSSI
Be sure to check out our website here and follow us on Facebook (@RHBSSI) and LinkedIn (@Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute) for more information and to stay up-to-date on upcoming events.
The recipients of the 2021-2022 Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute’s seed grants all seek to tackle scientific and social problems connected to a broad range of sports; each team taking a different approach to fulfill that mission. One set of researchers wants to help bull riders protect their heads with helmets designed specifically for them. Another group of researchers want to protect high school athletes by better understanding the injury risk factors that are specific to their sport.
This is the third year the Institute has awarded seed grants to Clemson researchers from the College of Business, College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences and the College of Agriculture and Forestry and Life Sciences. The Institute has funded researchers’ proposals in each of the colleges over the years. The seed grant program supports collaborations that accelerate Clemson faculty members’ ability to address significant scientific and societal problems associated with, and improve the human condition through sports, broadly defined.
The Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute calls for seed grant proposals in January of each year. The submission deadline is typically in mid-March. Awardees receive their funding in July of each year and have two years to complete the work.
“This is the third year of the seed grant program and we have had faculty teams from all seven colleges funded,” said Director Brett Wright. “The Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute is very pleased to help jump start faculty research projects that have the potential to improve the performance of our student-athletes, or more importantly, enhance the health and well being of our students and members of our communities.”
The Institute awarded four seed grants for the 2021-2022 academic year, totaling $90,811. Learn more about each of the research projects below.
It’s no bull!
Bull riding is a dangerous sport, with 21 fatalities over two decades; More than half of all bull riders experience head trauma. Some riders started using hockey helmets to protect their noggins when that bull leaves the chute. But the evidence is out on how well, if at all, that helmet – designed for another sport – protects the riders’ heads. Some riders use a helmet specifically designed for bull riding, but research is not conclusive on its effectiveness either.
Clemson researchers hope to develop a helmet specific for bull riding that offers riders more protection.
Clemson University professors Greg Batt and John DesJardins want to study the efficacy of the two types of helmets in hopes to help helmet manufacturers improve design; help inform riders’ decisions on which helmet to wear; and further our collective knowledge regarding protection from brain injuries.
“In recent years, bull riding has grown in popularity despite being called the most dangerous sport by one peer reviewed sports journal [1]. Currently, only a couple helmets are available on the market that are made specifically for bull riding, and none of the helmets have published research on their efficacy beyond proof of passing the rodeo headgear testing standard, ASTM F2530,” Batt explained. “This standard uses an impacting method which does not replicate or measure head rotation. We saw an opportunity to improve current bull riding helmet testing by utilizing state-of-the-art head impact equipment and head response metrics capable of capturing head rotation forces.”
Batt is director of Clemson’s Package Dynamics Lab (PDL) and an associate professor for the Department of Food, Nutrition and Packaging Science. Dr. DesJardins is the director of the Laboratory of Orthopedic Design and Engineering (LODE) and is the Robert B. and Susan B. Hambright Leadership Professor in the Department of Bioengineering.
With their grant from the Institute, Batt and DesJardins will emulate a bull kicking a helmet with specially designed anvils.
Did you get a Peloton during the pandemic?
You’re not alone. In fact, the fitness company’s subscriptions increased by 94% over the last year. Fitness instructors have a significant impact on members’ motivation. Now that most people are working out virtually, how much more important is the instructor’s role? Two Clemson University Communication professors plan to find out.
Consumer spending experts reported that 59% of Americans don’t plan to return to the gym after the pandemic. Many Americans reported they preferred the online workouts at home. Kristen Okamoto and Brandon Boatwright, assistant professors in the Department of Communication, want to understand the motivation behind these changes to fitness routines and the impact it will have on the multi-billion fitness industry.
Okamoto has a research focus on health and organizational communication. Boatwright focuses on sports communication. Together, they want to crack this health phenomenon.
No, you are not color blind!
The Clemson University orange we all associate with the tiger paw may have appeared red on your TV screen. The purple looked blue. Clemson fans have noticed these color discrepancies on their screens over the years.
This problem isn’t limited to Clemson. This brand color discrepancy is also apparent with other teams, such as the Dallas Cowboys, where their silver pants appeared green during a broadcasted game.
Clemson football jerseys often appear blue on television screens. Clemson Graphics Communication professor Erica Walker, with her research team, continues to develop AI to fix this problem in real time.
For many teams, the brand identity is based on the team colors, which is why correcting this problem is critical to sports franchises. Unfortunately, correcting the brand colors also affects the other colors in the frame. Environmental lighting and post-production color adjustments affect the entire frame of the broadcast feed. So, while the brand color would appear correct, the rest of the frame would alter as well, ruining other colors at the expense of fixing the brand color.
Dr. Erica Walker, Dr. Hudson Smith and a Creative Inquiry class have created an AI program, ColorNet, to address this color confusion. ColorNet ingests live video and adjusts each frame pixel-by-pixel targeting the brand color regions, then outputs color corrected video in real-time. This ensures accurate brand colors without negatively impacting other areas of the frame. The program was tested on PawVision in 2019 and it successfully corrected Clemson’s orange on screen.
Walker, an assistant professor in Graphic Communications, Smith, a research data scientist at the Watt Family Center for Innovation, also received a RHBSSI Seed Grant to further their work.
“With further development of Color Net, we plan to integrate our AI-based color management solution with Clemson Athletics through a hardware and a software solution,” Walker said. “This technology will help athletic content creators ensure that Clemson Orange and Clemson Purple consistently look like fans expect on the screens in the stadium and in Clemson Athletics social media posts.”
Determining injury risk factors in high school sports
An active lifestyle in high school is a good indicator of a healthy lifestyle as an adult. For most adolescents that physical activity comes from organized sports. Two local professors are partnering with a local non-profit organization to better understand the injury risk factors related in specific sports – specifically volleyball, cross-country, and football.
Dr. Joel Williams and Dr. Chris Hopkins will collaborate with PlaySafe, a non-profit organization based in the upstate of South Carolina who provides sports medicine care to athletes at over 70 high schools across South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. PlaySafe’s mission is to keep young athletes safe by educating, promoting, supporting, and fostering healthy lifestyles, wellness, and safe athletic participation in active youth, young adults, and the community at large.
The PlaySafe injury surveillance and outreach model has caught the attention of the NFL through the National Athletic Trainer’s Association. Dr. Williams and Dr. Hopkins research proposal caught the eyes of the RHBSSI grant selection committee.
Williams is an associate professor of public health sciences; Hopkins is a Furman University associate professor of applied health research and evaluation.
The focus of their research project is to better estimate the injury risk in high school sports and identify injury risk factors, which may help develop future injury prevention strategies for young athletes. Previous injury risk research with these populations has generally used rudimentary measures of sport exposure that lack sport-specific detail. Improving the accuracy of injury surveillance and conducting pre-season screening will allow for the investigation of sport-specific injury risk factors.
