Performance and clinical scientist specializing in musculoskeletal injury risk factors and human performance optimization. Principal investigator and co-investigator on current/previous research projects totaling ~$8M, producing 20+ peer-reviewed publications and 40+ conference abstracts. Research focuses primarily on standardized screening protocols and machine learning techniques for musculoskeletal injury risk prediction in military and athletic populations. Creates practical tools that help practitioners and healthcare providers make better clinical decisions based on biomechanical and physiological data.

My research interest are to create a Human Digital Twin to prescribe individualized energy and fatigue associated interventions. To achieve this, I attempt to: 1) identify changes in subjective and objective measures of energy and fatigue and associated factors (i.e. pain, anxiety, depression, sleep) using a combination of eye-tracking, virtual reality (VR), voice, sensors (EDA/GSR, PPG, IMU, EEG, EMG, fNIRS), and computer vision; 2) identify interventions that modify feelings of energy/fatigue; 3) identify inter- and intra-individual differences in intervention response; 4) understand the unique and overlapping biological correlates of energy and fatigue and the interaction of these biological factors.

Prior to joining OSU, I earned my B.S. & M.S. in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from Columbus State University. As a student, I worked in physical therapy departments at St. Francis-Emory Healthcare and Fort Benning, followed by serving as a graduate assistant. After graduation, I briefly served as an adjunct instructor for Columbus State University before spending two years as a visiting instructor with the University of Southern Mississippi's School of Kinesiology and Nutrition.

I now serve as a coordinator for the Human Performance & Nutrition Research Institute (HPNRI), where I lead the creation and development of translational research along with building institute partnerships. These collaborations span the OSU network and extend to clinicians, researchers, and athletic programs nationwide.

I also coordinate our outreach initiatives, including marketing, communications, and analysis of HPNRI's impact. If you are seeking more info about HPNRI or are interested in collaborative opportunities, feel free to reach out!

Professional Interests:

• Student Development
• Sports Performance & Nutrition
• Environmental Physiology (Heat Emphasis)
• Occupational Health

▪ With over 15 years of research experience, I am an accomplished clinician-scientist, with proficiency at clinical development planning, program management, and cross- collaborative projects resulting in significant outcomes. 
▪ I am passionate about advancing research and seeking novel outcomes in science, making meaningful contributions leveraging my subject matter expertise on neuromotor sciences, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal diseases, and pharmacology. 
▪ I have demonstrated my involvement in the scientific community acting as invited speaker, notably at prestigious events like the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the International Conference on Frailty and Sarcopenia Research. 
▪ I have led/managed 17 cross-collaborative projects, resulting in 4 grants, >40 peer-reviewed publications, and 11 IRB-approved studies. My studies range across my subject matter expertise in neuromotor sciences, cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal conditions, and pharmacology. I have delivered >50 presentations at esteemed conferences such as American Academy of Cerebral palsy and Developmental Medicine, American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, etc. I have led interdisciplinary research across R1 universities, collaborating globally (USA, Sweden, India, Egypt) to develop research products including novel wearable technologies and exercise programs enhancing human performance. With over 20 research projects and 40 published manuscripts, I foster innovation and apply science to real-world healthcare challenges.

▪ As a clinician-scientist I develop wearable devices that enhance movement efficiency by harnessing neuromotor properties. My novel approach optimizes movement economy and reduces injury risk in high-impact activities, advancing performance and biomechanics applications.

Lance Walker currently serves as Rick and Gail Muncrief Executive Director of the Human Performance and Nutrition Research Institute (HPNRI) at Oklahoma State University. 

Internationally recognized expert in fusing human performance, sport science, and sports medicine for athletes of all ages, ability levels, and sport disciplines.

Former Executive Vice President and Global Performance Director of Michael Johnson Performance, Dallas USA. 

Over 30 years experience in both private business of sports performance and working in organizations within the NFL, NCAA, and High School levels. Published exercise science researcher, former university human performance lab coordinator, and NIKE Performance Council Member. 

Performance coach, licensed physical therapist, adjunct professor and clinical instructor with nearly three decades of sports performance training and sports medicine experience spanning over 50 professional, elite, collegiate, high school, and youth sports and thousands of current and past athletes supported, including First Round NFL/NBA/CHL/MLB draft choices, Olympic and Paralympic Gold medalists,  World Champions, World Record Holders, Super Bowl MVPs, Champions League Stars, and NFL Hall of Famers.

As a bioengineering researcher with advanced degrees in Bioengineering and Instrument Science and Technology, I have dedicated my career to developing innovative measurement and training technologies to address critical healthcare challenges and enhance human well-being and human performance. My research spans three key areas: non-invasive medical diagnostics, medical skill assessment, and human digital twin development.

I have extensive experience in precise, non-invasive blood component measurement using near-infrared spectroscopy, with a strong focus on optimizing signal acquisition, processing, and analysis. Building on my hardware and software engineering expertise, I developed sensor-based medical skill training simulation prototypes that provide objective performance assessments. This work, supported by NIH funding and recognized with a patent, exemplifies my ability to translate research into impactful innovations. My proficiency in signal processing from diverse sensor systems, combined with advanced statistical, machine learning, and deep learning techniques, enables me to investigate and identify key factors influencing medical skill assessment and human performance under varying interventions. In addition, I am proficient in programming languages such as C++/C, Python, R, and MATLAB, allowing me to create robust computational solutions for complex biomedical and engineering challenges.

Through an interdisciplinary approach that integrates electrical engineering, bioengineering, and data science, I can contribute to the broader goals of advancing innovation in various fields.