The American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF) congratulates Joseph Peters, OMS II, Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine, as the recipient of the 2024 AOF Burnett Osteopathic Student Researcher Grant.

Joseph Peters earned his PhD in Kinesiology in 2022 at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). There, he worked in the wheelchair biomechanics and performance laboratory with Dr. Ian Rice, lab PI, and Adam Bleakney, the head coach of the UIUC wheelchair track and road racing team. Both Dr. Rice and Adam Bleakney were former Paralympians.

As a former competitive gymnast, Joseph's research interests involve investigating strategies to maximize rehabilitation outcomes in mobility device users through the use of assistive technology and physical medicine. Guided by principles in biomechanics and exercise physiology, Joseph has developed pressure ulcer prevention strategies in adapted sports and dosing strategies for high intensity interval training in wheelchair users.

Joseph interest in Kinesiology started early in college. As an undergraduate at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), he was was named a NCAA All-American in the all-around. He set career bests in his junior year in the floor, rings, vault and the all-around and in his senior year was a nominee for the Nissen-Emory Award (Heisman-trophy equivalent for NCAA gymnastics). His achievements weren’t limited to the gym; he was also an academic star, earning the title of College Gymnastics Association First Team All-American Scholar-Athlete and Academic All-Big Ten.

The AOF Burnett Osteopathic Student Researcher Grant was established by John H. Burnett, DO and Mary M. Burnett, DO to support an Osteopathic medical student for their dedication to Osteopathic-oriented research. A bi-annual award in the amount of $5,000 will be presented to one individual who has demonstrated a commitment to the science of Osteopathic principles and practice, an active interest in clinical or basic science research pertaining to Osteopathic medicine and manipulative treatment, and outstanding academic achievement and noteworthy accomplishments in research.