Driven by curiosity, guided by care

Max Wilson didn’t start college planning to join a research lab. As a College of Allied Health Sciences undergraduate health sciences major on the pre-physician assistant track, his aim seemed clear: to build toward a future in patient care. As early as his freshman year, however, it became apparent that his personal curiosity about patients’ experiences wasn’t outlined in his syllabi. Having heard about other students’ research, he found that his interests aligned best with opportunities to observe firsthand how the human body really performs under certain conditions.

Wilson asked his biology professor, Brian Kinkle, PhD, who suggested a few researchers in the field. He connected with several labs and even volunteered to participate in data collection for an upper-level biomechanics class before discovering Mike Riley, PhD, and his Human Performance Lab. Primarily focused on the relationship between biomechanics and the study of forces acting on and within biological systems, respiration and real-world health challenges, the lab aligned with Wilson's interest in human physiology.

Wilson has now worked in the lab for three years. His primary focus is on postural–respiratory synergy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This concept examines how body position and breathing function together. Typically, posture supports efficient breathing by allowing the lungs to fully expand and enabling the respiratory muscles to operate effectively. However, in individuals with COPD, this coordination can be disrupted.