Kayla Fewster

My research program centers on relating temporal mechanical changes in the lumbar spine to changes in motor control and intervertebral joint mechanics resulting from sudden impacts, perturbations and acute loading scenarios. I aim to understand how exposure history, situational factors (such as age, obesity, and sex), as well as post-impact responses contribute to the initiation and progression of injuries in the spinal tissues following sudden loading situations. Work in my laboratories combines in-vivo human research, examining biological responses to sudden impacts, perturbations and acute loading scenarios from pain generating and tissue altering perspectives with fundamental in-vitro research, examining the mechanical responses and injury progression in the lumbar spine tissues during sudden loading events.