Keynote Dr. Sjoerd Bruijn

Abstract 

Local divergence exponents are an often used tool to calculate local dynamic stability, or to make statements about the time-dependent nature of variability. However, little time is often spend on the choices that need to be made in terms of parameters. For instance, normalization of time can (and should?) happen in several places in the calculation process. In this talk, I will outline why (and how) to normalize time when calculating local divergence exponents. I will show real world examples of how this influences results, and do suggestions for best practices.  

Bio 

My research focuses on how most humans can walk on two legs with such remarkable ease, and why pathology and ageing decrease this ability; in short, I study “human gait stability”. In doing so, I try to tackle 3 main questions; 1. How can we quantify gait stability properly? 2. How do humans achieve a stable gait pattern (what is the role of passive mechanics, what is the role of control? At which levels in the nervous system does control originate?), and 3. Can we apply the mechanisms we studied in the second question to help people with impaired gait stability? While I usually take a more fundamental approach to these questions, I often collaborate with clinical partners, as strongly believe in translational research.
To tackle these (and other) questions, I have been awarded several research grants, such a FWO visiting postdoctoral fellowship grant, a Veni and Vidi grant from NWO, and a grant from the EUROBENCH consortium.
I have successfully supervised 5 PhD students and am currently supervising 9 PhD students. This supervision to me is an important (if not the most important) aspect of being an academic. The amount of research I can do myself is limited, and by proper training new academics, we can ensure that more questions get answered in the future. For this same reason, I really value teaching, and, as such, supervise multiple Msc and Bsc project each year, as well as teach a course on Applied Biomechanics.
I am also actively involved in other scientific and societal duties and am a board member of the International Society for Posture and Gait Research, and of the Society (ISPGR) of Movement Analysis Laboratories of the Low Lands (SMALLL). Moreover, apart from reviewing grants for several organisations and manuscripts for several journals I’m an editor for the journal Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, and for the new, not for profit open access journal Communications in Kinesiology. Especially this latter role is important to me, as it aligns fully with my view of how science should be; open and transparent.
To make my own science more open and transparent, I am actively pursuing preregistering our studies whenever possible, sharing data and code, and posting preprints. I encourage these practices within my own research group and within my department, for instance by giving presentations about these topics, and helping people on a personal basis.