AubeLab People

Dr. Michael Zabala, M.S., Ph.D.

Dr. Zabala is the Auburn Alumni Engineering Council Endowed Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering at Auburn University. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Auburn University and a Master’s Degree and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University.

Dr. Zabala’s primary research focus is on the biomechanics of human motion, performance, and injury prevention. He has extensive experience utilizing motion capture technology, EMG (muscle activation), and pressure sensors to biomechanically assess tasks such as walking, jogging, stair navigation, and run-to-cut maneuvers. His research endeavors include ACL injury prevention in female soccer players, lower-limb prostheses, lower-limb exoskeleton control, and 3D printed custom orthotics.

Dr. Zabala is also Founder, Chairman, and Chief Research Officer of XO Armor Technologies, Inc.

Dr. Iván Nail-Ulloa

Dr. Iván Nail-Ulloa is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the AUBE Lab. He holds a Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Auburn University.

His expertise includes statistical analysis, motion capture technology, biomechanical modeling, and musculoskeletal simulation in laboratory and field environments. His research focuses on the biomechanics of simulated work, fatigue failure-based risk assessment for injury prevention, and ergonomic interventions to enhance workplace safety and performance.

Projects: Advanced EXOJUMP, wireless sensor shoulder kinetics estimation, cumulative loading effects in aquaculture productivity.

Sierra Eady

Sierra is a PhD student from Northwest Alabama who received her B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Auburn University in 2021.

Her interests include wearable sensors, electronics, and software development. She hopes to improve human-robot interaction for wearable assistive robotic devices.

Project: Human Augmentation: Systematic Evaluation of Lower Extremity Motor Adaptations to Joint Actuation

Jacqueline (Jaxie) Brokamp

Jaxie is a PhD student from Cincinnati, Ohio pursuing Mechanical Engineering. She earned her B.S. from the University of Dayton with a minor in Human Movement Biomechanics.

Her research interests include orthotics and gait analysis with a focus on rehabilitation and human performance.

Project: XO Armor: Custom-fit Casts and Braces

Ryan Pollard

Ryan is an NSF Graduate Research Fellow from Huntsville, AL, who is pursuing his Ph.D. In Mechanical Engineering. He received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and B.S. in Exercise Science in 2023 from Auburn University.

His interests include using artificial intelligence to discern user motion intention for assistive device control, specifically for those with neurological deficits such as para/quadriplegics and post-stroke patients. Outside of the AUBE Lab, Ryan is a peer tutor for the College of Engineering and is actively involved in his local church's (Auburn Community Church) 5th grade kids ministry program and Prayer team.

Project: EEG-Based Discernment of Volitional Motion Intention and Direction for the Lower Limb

Evan Pollard

Evan is a graduate student from Ardmore, Tennessee pursuing his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering. He received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 2024 from Auburn University.

His interests include exploring the behavior of additively manufactured components, mainly focusing on analyzing strength characteristics and mechanical analysis. Outside of the lab, Evan enjoys hunting and fishing and is a proud member of the Auburn University Marching Band. War Eagle!

Project: XO Armor: Determining and Characterizing the Mechanical Performance of Additively Manufactured Components

Matheus (Matt) Ferreira-Shornack

Matt is a current graduate student from Londrina, Brazil, pursuing his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering. He received his B.S. in Biomedical Engineering in 2023 from The University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill.

His research interests include using biomechanical assessment tools for injury prevention, mainly focused on assessing lower back loading. Outside of the AUBE Lab, Matt enjoys playing soccer and watching movies.

Project: Assessing lower back loading for injury prevention in occupational settings.

Haley Duncan

Haley is a current graduate student from Huntsville, Alabama pursuing her M.S. in Mechanical Engineering. She received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 2025 from Auburn University.

Her research interests include using biomechanical engineering principles to directly help people through research or new innovations. In her free time, Haley enjoys playing video games, DIY projects, and reading.

Project: Biomechanical Ergonomic Assessment for Injury Prevention in Healthcare Professionals