Background
Dr. Rachel Hybart holds a B.S. in Biological Engineering from Mississippi State University and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Florida. Dr. Hybart’s doctoral research focused on the development of a control algorithm that used biological signals as electrical inputs to robotic exoskeletons. She studied the effects of this type of controller on human subjects by measuring individuals’ kinetics, kinematics, muscle activity, and metabolic costs while walking with an exoskeleton on a treadmill and in uncontrolled outdoor environments.
Dr. Hybart is an expert in human gait, biomechanical analysis of human movement, human-robot interactions, and investigation of technologies to enhance human performance. She is experienced in the interpretation of biomechanical measures in complex, ecologically valid situations. Dr. Hybart manages the Rimkus Human Performance Laboratory and leads testing and research efforts through the Lab. She has extensive experience using motion capture, electromyography (EMG), force plates, pressure insoles, and metabolic gas exchange in the context of human movement analysis.
Dr. Hybart has published in peer-reviewed journals such as IEEE Open Journal of Engineering in Medicine and Biology and IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering. She has also presented at domestic and international scientific conferences and is a member of the American Society of Biomechanics.
Education and Certifications
- Biomedical Engineering, Ph.D.: University of Florida (2023)
- Biological Engineering, B.S.: Mississippi State University (2017)
Associations and Memberships
- American Society of Biomechanics (ASB): Member
- Sports Tech Research Network (STRN): Member
- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE): Member
- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Standards Association (IEEESA): Member
- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Impact Creator
Publications
- Kwak, S. Riehm, C. D., Anand, M., Raphael, N., DiCesare, C. A., Schille, A., Hulburt, T. C., Zendler, J. M., Hybart, R. L., Buria, K. N., Trotter, N., and Myers, G. D. “Assessing agreement and usability of kinematic measures between markerless and marker-based motion capture systems during jumping activities.” Journal of Biomechanics.
- Robertson, S., Zendler, J., De Mey, K., Haycraft, J., Ash, G., Brockett, C., Seshadri, D., Hybart, R., Duking, P., and Figueroa-Jacinto, R. (2024). “Quality Assessment Framework: Bringing the Framework to Life.” Sports Tech Research Network Whitepaper.
- Hybart, Rachel L., and Ferris, Daniel P. (2023). “Gait variability of real-world vs treadmill walking with bilateral robotic ankle exoskeletons with proportional myoelectric control.” PLOS ONE.
- Hybart, Rachel L., and Ferris, Daniel P. (2023). “Neuromechanical Adaptation to Walking with Electromechanical Ankle Exoskeletons Under Proportional Myoelectric Control.” IEEE Open Journal of Engineering in Medicine and Biology.
- Hybart, Rachel L., Villancio-Wolter, K. Siena, and Ferris, Daniel P. (2023). “Metabolic cost of walking with electromechanical ankle exoskeletons under proportional myoelectric control on a treadmill and outdoors.” Peer J.
- Hybart, Rachel L., and Ferris, Daniel P. (2022). “Embodiment for Robotic Lower-Limb Exoskeletons: A Narrative Review.” IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, doi: 10.1109/TNSRE.2022.3229563.
- Hybart, Rachel L., and Ferris, Daniel P. (2022). “Preliminary Validation of Proportional Myoelectric Control of A Commercially Available Robotic Ankle Exoskeleton.” IEEE Xplore.
- Mosier JA, Hybart RL, Lewis AM, Alugubelly N, Mohammed AN, and Carr RL. “Inhibition of Serum Esterases in Juvenile Rats Repeatedly Exposed to Low Levels of Chlorpyrifos.” Int J Sci Res Environ Sci Toxicol. 2022;5(1):10.15226/2572-3162/5/1/00133. doi: 10.15226/2572-3162/5/1/00133. Epub 2022 May 13.
- Bennet, K.A., Hybart, R., and Simpson, C.L. (2017). “Differential Effects of Calcitrol, FGF-23, and Klotho on Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Calcification and Their Role in Medial Calcification.” Mississippi Academy of Sciences, 62(4), 370-378.
- Buntyn, R.W., Alugubelly, N., Hybart, R.L., Mohammed, A.N., Nail, C.A., Parker, G.C., Ross, M.K, and Carr, R.L. (2017). “Inhibition of Endocannabinoid-Metabolizing Enzymes in Peripheral Tissues Following Developmental Chlorpyrifos Exposure in Rats.” J. Toxicol, 36, 395-402. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581817725272.
- McMahan, J. Hybart, R., and Simpson, C.L. (2017), “Cells and Tissue Structures in Cardiovascular 3D Tissue Systems” In K.J.L. Burg, D. Dreau, & T. Burg (Eds). Engineering 3D Tissue Test Systems. Boca Raton, Fl: CRC Press.