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.

• Biomedical Engineering, Ph.D.: University of Florida

• Biological Engineering, B.S.: Mississippi State University