UNF receives NIH award to prepare students for innovative biomechanical pediatric research

The University of North Florida has been awarded a nearly $800K, five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health to provide immersive research education focused on pediatric rehabilitation and assistive technology.

Dr. Gui Cesar, assistant professor of physical therapy, will lead the Proficiency in Research and Innovation for Multidisciplinary Education in Pediatrics (PRIME-PEDS).

The project will provide structured and immersive research education, multidisciplinary training and experiential learning for undergraduate and graduate students from biomedical disciplines or health-related fields including physical therapy, kinesiology, mechanical engineering and more.

The program is currently reviewing applications and will accept 16 students to begin in fall 2026, 18 students in fall 2027, and 20 students between fall 2028 and fall 2030.

Students will utilize UNF's Laboratory of Applied Biomechanics and Engineering (LABE), an innovative research facility that integrates physical therapy, mechanical and electrical engineering, human movement sciences and pediatric clinical research to develop novel interventions and biomedical technologies.

With the combination of coursework, guest speakers, mentored independent projects and hands-on exposure to data science and clinical populations, this team-based, 12-week program will offer biomedical, behavioral and clinical research experiences. Participants will collaboratively design studies, conduct research, interpret and disseminate findings.

PRIME-PEDS will strengthen participants' scientific rigor, research skills and preparation for advanced biomedical careers while equipping students to address future challenges in rehabilitation fields.

More information and applications for fall 2026 are available at https://labe.domains.unf.edu/.