Dr. Young-Hui Chang
Current Positions
Professor of Biological Sciences
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Associate Dean of Faculty for College of Sciences
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Education
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Cornell University
M.S. Animal Physiology, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
Ph.D. Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkley
Institute Affiliations
Biomedical Engineering
Bioengineering
Qualitative Biosciences
Robotics/IRIM
In the Georgia Tech Comparative Neuromechanics Lab, we study the neuromechanics of movement in humans and other animals. My aim is to understand fundamental principles by which we control our movements as we move through our physical environment. This requires knowledge of the neural control of movement, the biomechanics of our musculoskeletal system, and the physics of our environmental interactions. I also study how our body adapts to acute and chronic changes. This involves processes of motor learning that are involved in everything from clinical rehabilitation to elite sports performance.
In particular, I use a comparative approach to discern broad principles that apply across species. Over the span of my career I have had experience studying extremes in the biomechanics and movement of humans, chimpanzees, white-handed gibbons, vampire bats, elephants, penguins, rats, cats, hamsters, dogs, horses and flamingos.
I have applied my knowledge to help solve problems associated with human movement related to lower limb injury and amputation, to improve onsite safety and performance of industrial workers (a.k.a., the ‘industrial athlete’), and to assist in the training and development of competitive athletes. Movement and movement control encompass a wide spectrum, from deficit to elite performance, so I use an equally broad approach to understand its fundamental principles that can enlighten us across this spectrum.