EDUCATION
| Postdoctoral Associate | Mechanical Engineering | University of Colorado Boulder |
| Ph.D. | Movement & Cognitive Rehabilitation Science | The University of Texas at Austin |
| M.S. | Kinesiology | University of Texas at Tyler |
| B.S. | Biology | Colorado Christian University |
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Biomechanics
Neuromuscular control
Tissue mechanics
MRI
Musculoskeletal injury
Rehabilitation
ACL
Osteoarthritis
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Using a multiscale neuromechanics approach, Dr. Lowe aims to characterize knee osteoarthritis progression and identify the relationship between neuromuscular control, and macro-to-tissue biomechanics.
Characterize intra-tissue properties (e.g., strain and stiffness) in healthy, advanced OA and longitudinally in an ACL reconstruction cohort to identify key timepoints to target for intervention.
Establish a routine, clinical workflow to relate gait biomechanics to cartilage strain and stiffness and identify functional macro-scale biomarkers of cartilage degeneration and targets for gait retraining.
Determine the neuromuscular adaptations and their associations with cartilage intratissue properties and identify neuromuscular targets for retraining.
HIGHLIGHTED PUBLICATIONS
- Lowe T., Lee W., Miller E. Y., Zhu H., Argote P., Dresdner D., Kelly J., Frank R., McCarty E., Bravman J., Stokes D., Neu C. In Vivo cartilage strain differentiates symptomatic and asymptomatic knees six months after ACLR reconstruction. Osteoarthritis Cartilage
- Lowe T., Hsiao H., Dong X.N., Griffin L. Prolonged Vibration of the Hamstrings Reduces Limb Stiffness Following ACL Reconstruction. Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 2025: 43:1442-1453. DOI: 10.1002/jor.26105
- Lowe T., Dong X.D., Griffin L. Acute Hamstring Vibration Reduces Peak Tibiofemoral Compressive Forces Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 2024: 42:788-797. DOI:10.1002/jor.25736
- Lowe T., Suresh T., Yang J., Freedberg M., Hussain S., Griffin L. Acute Prolonged Hamstrings Vibration Increases Quadriceps Spinal and Corticospinal Excitability Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. Med Sci Sport Exerc 2023:55(9S): 802-803. DOI: 10.1249/01.mss.0000987400.59787.54
- Lowe T., Tenan M.S., Griffin L.Low-load blood flow restriction reduces time-to-minimum single motor unit discharge rate. Experimental Brain Research, 2023: 241: 2795-2805. DOI: 10.1007/s00221-023-06720-8
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
Dr. Lowe’s primary objective as an instructor is to create inclusive classroom experiences that prepare students to meet the demands of their future career path or graduate studies. Specifically, his teaching philosophy focuses on flexible approaches for diverse learners and active learning in the classroom, promoting student engagement through projects that assist in the acquisition of knowledge, the development of critical thinking skills, and the application of the knowledge they have acquired.
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Timothy Lowe is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at The University of Alabama and director of the Multiscale Neuromechanics Lab. He is a broadly trained movement and cognitive rehabilitation scientist, with research focused on neuromuscular and biomechanical contributors to musculoskeletal injury and disease, and strategies to alleviate long-term impairment and enhance quality of life. Currently, his primary focus involves translating macro-to-tissue biomechanics and understanding the direct transfer of mechanical load from human motion to cartilage and related joint tissues. He is very interested in imaging techniques to predict the progression of osteoarthritis, the clinical translation of new imaging methods to study cartilage health and leveraging these into new multiscale interventions to alleviate long-term impairment and enhance quality of life. For more information on Dr. Lowe and UA Multiscale Neuromechanics Lab, please visit sites.ua.edu/lowelab.