A Modern Space for Researching Human Movement
Innovative Facility Replaces Hanner Fieldhouse Pool
Pictured are (L to R): Professor of Kinesiology and Waters College of Health Professions Associate Dean Stephen J. Rossi, Ph.D., Waters College of Health Professions Dean Barry Joyner, Ph.D., Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Carl Reiber, Ph.D., Regent Don L. Waters, Georgia Southern University President Dr. Kyle Marrero, Regent C. Everett Kennedy III, Sarah Creveling, Associate Professor of Kinesiology Gavin Colquitt, Ed.D., Professor of Kinesiology Li Li, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Kinesiology Barry Munkasy, Ph.D., and Assistant Professor of Kinesiology Greg Ryan, Ph.D.
The University celebrated the opening of the new Kinesiology Research Laboratories on the Statesboro Campus in February. The old Hanner Fieldhouse pool was renovated into state-of-the-art laboratories dedicated to helping improve lives every day.
The only facility of its kind in the region, it enables students and faculty to conduct human movement research that will help athletes, first responders and people with disabilities, avoid injuries, strengthen performance and improve their quality of life. The renovated space boasts four labs — two biomechanics labs, a motor control lab and a human performance lab.
There is space in each lab for students to conduct research that helps prepare them for jobs in the workforce. In the biomechanics labs, they work alongside world-class faculty as they monitor University athletes at risk for concussion, and help others recover. In the human performance laboratory, faculty and students are conducting tactical assessments on firefighters and law enforcement, helping them avoid injury; and working with players on Statesboro’s professional soccer team, Tormenta. In the motor control laboratory, faculty and students are working with cerebral palsy patients to combat the painful symptoms of spasticity and provide training programs to improve their strength and quality of life. The facility also includes patient consulting rooms so that area physicians can use it for their patients and learn from the ongoing research.
Georgia Southern now represents 20% of all undergraduate health care profession graduates in Georgia — almost one out of every five in the state. The University is committed to meeting Georgia’s demand for more health care professionals, and the Hanner renovation project is another step in addressing this crucial need. Approximately 11,000 square feet of space was renovated and life safety issues in the complex were addressed through the $5 million project. Funding was provided through the state of Georgia.