In the College of Engineering, students and faculty are using data science to develop groundbreaking tools and tackle real-world challenges. Through the ongoing series, “Data for Good: Innovators in Action,” we highlight how these efforts are driving meaningful change across various societal issues. Join us in exploring these stories and discover how you can be a part of the movement to create a brighter, more equitable world.
As a new mother and the director of Cal Poly’s Mobile Biomechanics Lab, Professor Britta Berg-Johansen sees the value of movement through a fresh perspective.
“Gait and balance are such important metrics — they can tell us so much about long-term health,” she said. But what excites her most isn’t just the science — it’s the chance to bring this knowledge directly to kids in local classrooms.
The new project, led by Berg-Johansen alongside third-year engineering students Sofie Zalatimo and Catherine Semaan, combines hands-on learning with data-driven research. Using just a smartphone, Zalatimo and Semaan will study how younger students move — tracking metrics like gait and balance — to uncover insights that could help predict musculoskeletal issues, such as osteoarthritis.
For younger students, these sessions offer a chance to explore how their bodies work in a fun and engaging way. By combining interactive lessons with real-world data collection, the project makes science both personal and practical.
At the heart of the initiative is a commitment to inclusivity. By stepping out of the lab and into local schools, the team is breaking down barriers that have traditionally limited participation in research. They’re focusing on outreach to underrepresented communities, ensuring that children from all backgrounds can engage with biomechanics and see that science is for everyone.
“We want to reach as many kids as possible, not just those with the resources to get to a lab,” Berg-Johansen said. “Transportation can be a barrier, and expanding representation is essential to giving more children access to opportunities like this.”
The research featured in this project is rooted in Cal Poly’s Mobile Biomechanics Lab, a space dedicated to developing practical and innovative methods for studying human movement.
Led by Berg-Johansen, the lab was recently renamed from the Human Motion Biomechanics Lab to better reflect its focus on mobile research methods. “We wanted a name that fits what we’re doing — bringing biomechanics into the real world, outside traditional lab settings,” she said.
The lab operates as a collaborative hub, connecting a team of 12 to 13 undergraduate and graduate researchers. Guided by faculty experts from biomedical and mechanical engineering, kinesiology and statistics, the team tackles a variety of research projects focused on making biomechanics more widely available.
Traditionally, motion is captured in biomechanics labs using software like Cortex, which tracks reflective markers placed on a subject’s body with specialized cameras. While highly precise, this system requires a controlled lab environment and extensive equipment, limiting its use outside traditional research settings.
To address these limitations, the team is turning to OpenCap, a smartphone-based tool developed by Stanford researchers. Using video from two smartphones, OpenCap captures movement without markers or specialized equipment, making it possible to bring biomechanics into classrooms. This project will also examine how well OpenCap works with younger children, as research in this age group has been limited.
Semaan experienced OpenCap’s potential firsthand when she danced in front of the cameras and watched her skeleton mimic her movements on screen.
“It was surreal — you could see the skeleton dancing along with me,” Semaan said, capturing the tool’s ability to inspire curiosity in young students. “It’s a great way to help kids learn about their bodies and see how movement connects to their health in a way that’s engaging and easy to understand.”
Semaan and Zalatimo, both members of the Mobile Biomechanics Lab, were drawn to Berg-Johansen’s project for personal and compelling reasons.
For Zalatimo, a mechanical engineering major from Mountain View, California, biomechanics was an unfamiliar field at first. However, as a dancer with Cal Poly’s Orchesis Dance Company, she often thinks about force and acceleration — concepts that align naturally with the study of human movement. Semaan, a biomedical engineering major from Downey, California, felt a different kind of connection. Fluent in Spanish, she grew up in a majority Hispanic community and sees this project as an opportunity to foster a more inclusive environment for all students.
“I feel connected personally to the project,” Semaan said. “There’s a place for you even if you don’t speak English.”
Outreach plays a significant role in Zalatimo and Semaan’s approach to the project, a shared passion that first united them through the Society of Women Engineers. Their dedication to community engagement made them ideal candidates for Berg-Johansen’s initiative, which was launched through the Summer Undergraduate Research Program.
The team has partnered with C.L. Smith Elementary School in San Luis Obispo and Mesa Middle School in Nipomo to set up visits, where they will offer interactive sessions to teach students how their bodies work and emphasize the importance of staying active. These sessions are designed to promote health awareness by showing students how movement connects to their overall well-being.
“We want to get kids excited about biomechanics, and in the process, they’ll provide us with valuable data,” Berg-Johansen said.
The data collected will refine the Mobile Biomechanics Lab’s methods for measuring balance and gait using smartphones and inform more inclusive research practices. These advancements will also enhance educational biomechanics lessons and support future studies, such as exploring how body mass index (BMI) affects children’s movement and balance.
“Our classes move so fast, but this project lets me slow down and apply what I’ve learned to real-life research,” Semaan said. “I came to this project fresh out of Engineering Dynamics, and now I’m actually applying those equations.”
Zalatimo added that the most rewarding aspect of the project has been discovering the broader impact of engineering.
“I’ve seen how much engineering can positively affect entire communities,” she said. “It’s made me feel more confident in my path as an engineer.”
For Berg-Johansen, seeing her students take ownership of the project has been one of the most fulfilling parts of her work in the Mobile Biomechanics Lab. “Both Sofie and Catherine are so self-motivated — it’s inspiring to watch them take on a project like this and truly run with it.”
As a new mom, the project holds even deeper meaning for her. “I did a lot of science education during grad school, but I haven’t yet had the chance to work with kids in my faculty role at Cal Poly,” she said. “Now, as a parent, it’s even more meaningful to spark curiosity in young students and show them how science connects to their lives.”
Call to Action: Support the Future of Biomechanics!
You can help bring the exciting world of biomechanics to life for students of all ages. By supporting Cal Poly’s Mobile Biomechanics Lab, you’re not just funding research — you’re empowering the next generation of engineers to innovate, inspire and create a healthier, more inclusive future.
Your donation directly supports student-driven projects, enabling hands-on learning, cutting-edge research, and outreach programs that make biomechanics accessible to diverse communities. From funding classroom materials to covering travel costs for students to present their work at conferences, every contribution makes a difference.
Let’s advance the science of movement together — make your gift today!
By Emily Slater
