Michael Zabala

Mechanical Engineering
Auburn Alumni Engineering Council Associate Professor
3434 Wiggins Hall
334.844.4916
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Education

Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University
M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Auburn University

Research Interests

Biomechanics
Motion Capture
MRI
Musculoskeletal Injury
Athletic Performance

In The News

Innovation developed by Auburn Engineering startup making noise on the gridiron

If you find yourself going hoarse more frequently this fall, there's a reason. Auburn Engineering.
Mechanical engineering grad students to star on SEC Network pitch competition

David Hollinger, a doctoral student in Auburn University's Biomechanical Engineering Lab (AUBE Lab), says he's been running with the idea for years. Now it's on the verge of truly hitting its stride.
Auburn Engineering students recognized as graduate research fellows by National Science Foundation

Congratulations, Dylan Bowen, Marisa Kelley, Maggie Nelson, Ryan Pollard, Katie Wolfe and Robin Weaver!
AUBE Lab collaborates with world-famous dance company

Thanks to Auburn Engineering, one of the best modern dance ensembles in the world might now be even better.  On Monday, in advance of the Paul Taylor Dance Company's Tuesday night performance at the Gogue Performing Arts Center, students in the Auburn Biomechanical Engineering (AUBE) Lab mapped the movements of three of the company's dancers via motion capture technology.
Student in mechanical engineering wins top prize, $2,350 at Graduate Engineering Research Showcase

Ryan Pollard, a first-year graduate student, earned 'Best in Show' honors for his oral and poster presentation, "A Kinematics-Based Approach to Future Joint Angle Prediction."
Popular Auburn Engineering study abroad program now open to alumni, others

Engineering in the Arts, a popular Auburn University study abroad program intended to introduce engineering concepts through various art forms, is no longer just for students.
Auburn Engineering faculty named to 2022 promotion, tenure list

Numerous Auburn Engineering faculty were included on the provost's list of those who were awarded promotion, tenure or both for 2022.
Auburn Engineering to offer free virtual lectures on biomechanics to alumni, public

The Department of Mechanical Engineering is condensing the most popular material from a recently developed “Biomechanics and Engineering in the Arts” study abroad program into an online lecture series that Auburn alumni and members of the general public can virtually attend free of charge.
Auburn's RE-InVENT project subject of APT documentary

Alabama Public Television’s “Spotlight on Agriculture” documentary series recently devoted an entire hour-long episode to a unique Auburn engineering project that continues to make headlines across the country. 
Auburn’s CPAP-to-ventilator device passes major test on live animal

As life-saving ventilators grow scarcer worldwide in the fight against COVID-19, an Auburn University research team is racing against the clock to get a device they’ve built into mass production. The innovative unit—which turns a CPAP machine into an emergency ventilator—was successfully tested on a live goat last Friday.
Auburn design adapts CPAP machines into emergency ventilators

A team of Auburn engineers has developed a way to quickly and inexpensively convert CPAP machines into ventilators, one of the most important tools hospitals have for helping COVID-19 patients.
Auburn biomechanics lab: The 'Renegade Challenge' takes brains

Motion-capture technology shows the science behind the viral TikTok dance challenge.
Biomechanical Engineering lab scores big for Auburn football with 3-D printed orthotics

Michael Zabala, assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, will never forget scoring his first touchdown. It was Sept. 21, 2019, and he was in his living room recliner. The game had just started.