Biography
James A. Oñate joins SHRS as dean after nearly 25 years in academic leadership, teaching and research positions in health and rehabilitation sciences at leading institutions such as Ohio State University, Old Dominion University and Boston University.
His research has had a significant impact nationally and internationally in the field of human movement assessment, specifically in addressing factors that influence human performance in physically active populations. His focus on assessing the risk of lower extremity injuries has expanded over the years to include significant interest in multifaceted areas of human performance including concussions, military human performance and first responder holistic health.
Oñate’s work has received funding from several different national organizations such as the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Special Operations Command which has funded projects related to the care of youth football athletes, high-school athletes, military special operations soldiers and law enforcement officers.
As the fifth dean of SHRS, Oñate remains committed to upholding the outstanding tradition of the University of Pittsburgh’s contribution to impactful research critical to health and rehabilitation sciences and make a positive impact across the globe.
Education
- Doctor of Philosophy in Human Movement Science, University of North Carolina
- Master of Arts in Exercise Science, University of North Carolina
- Bachelor of Education in Exercise Science, University of Florida
Awards
- George J. Davies-James A. Gould Excellence in Clinical Inquiry Award, Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 2015
- The Ohio State University School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Research Award, 2014
- National Athletic Trainers’ Association Fellow, NATA, National Athletic Trainers Association, 2012
- O’Donoghue Sports Injury Research Manuscript Award, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, 2008
Research Interests
- Lower extremity musculoskeletal injury
- Tactical athlete care
- Holistic health assessment
- Sports performance and injury risk mitigation
- Brain health
Publications
- “Suggestions and Considerations for Application of Movement Screens to Clinical Practice.”
- “Estimating marksmanship performance during walking while maintaining weapon aim.”
- “Current Clinical Concepts: A Framework for Concussion Management Strategies in Law Enforcement Officers.”
- “Use of accelerometers and inertial measurement units to quantify movement of tactical athletes: A systemic review.”
- “Neuroplasticity Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury: A Framework for Visual-Motor Training Approaches in Rehabilitation.”
- “Neuroscience Application to Noncontact Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Prevention.”
Professional Organization Appointments
- Fellow, National Athletic Trainers Association