After earning his bachelor’s degree at Auburn in mechanical engineering 10 short years ago, and going on to earn both his master’s and doctoral degrees from Stanford University, Zabala has returned to his roots and research passion: biomechanics of movement.

His specific research focus is on musculoskeletal function and disease for the purposes of injury prevention, rehabilitation and athletic performance.

His lab uses motion capture technology to study subjects while wearing reflective body markers that monitor human movement and performance.

Cameras in the lab are synced up to a computer station that can build a model of body movement, based on the body markers.

This allows Zabala, and his research students to evaluate the subjects more effectively.

In the future, he hopes his research will explain why 50 percent of those with an ACL injury go on to suffer from osteoarthritis in the knee in less than 10 years.

Zabala also uses his research to study the biomechanics of injured soldiers and the effects of performance enhancing wearable devices. For example, he is currently testing a glove to provide increased strength and control to a soldier’s fingers.

From an undergraduate student to new faculty member, Zabala is relishing his new role in a familiar environment.

“I have been welcomed tremendously well upon my return,” Zabala said.

“I feel like I’m in some sort of dream because I get to come back here and walk on this campus while fulfilling my career, which is really exciting,” he added.