News
Dr. Cara L. Lewis Presents at the 11th Annual Shirley Sahrmann Lecture
Dr. Lewis delivered a presentation titled “Diary of a Joint: Adaptation of hip structure over time” as part of Washington University’s annual Shirley Sahrmann Lecture on October 10, 2025. In this talk, Dr. Lewis discusses her trajectory of her research career, highlighting her motivation for understanding the relationship between movement and loading. Dr. Lewis speaks about the evolution of hip joint structure over time, particularly in regard to various athletes.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Diary of a Joint, the link to this presentation can be found here: Diary of a Joint – Dr. Lewis!
PhD Student Ria Rao Awarded the ASB Graduate Student Research Grant!
A huge congratulations to Ria on this accomplishment! Very well-deserved!
More info on the grant can be found here: ASB Competitive Grant Awards
Congratulations to Cara Lewis on her promotion to Full Professor!
April, 2025
Cara is the Director of the Human Adaptation Lab and professor in the Physical Therapy Department who has just been promoted to Full Professor! Her hard work, passion, and dedication to advocating for female athlete hip research in rehabilitation science are key driving forces in our laboratory. Very well deserved, Cara! Congratulations!
Human Adaptation Lab Celebrates National Biomechanics Day 2025!
April 23, 2025
The Human Adaptation Lab celebrated National Biomechanics Day for the third year in a row! Students from the BU Upward Bound Math-Science program visited the lab to learn about biomechanics and how this applies to daily life. Students observed motion capture processes and practiced using biomechanics terms to describe movement. Another huge shout-out to Avery Kratzer for organizing such a great event!
HAL Research Featured in the Arthritis Foundation Newsletter! 
April, 2025
Check out our Arthritis Foundation feature here!
If you want to be a part of the work we do and are interested in getting involved, fill out our eligibility screening form today!
Congratulations to Avery on her recent publication!
March 17th, 2025
The link to the article can be found here!
Cara Lewis Awarded for the FastOA Initiative
October 4th, 2024
The Arthritis Foundation has awarded Cara Lewis as part of their Osteoarthritis Clinical Trial Network initiative called FastOA. To carry out this initiative, the Human Adaptation Lab (HAL) at Boston University will be evaluating hip morphology and movement in young female athletes (18 to 30 years old).
PhD Student Kari Loverro Receives Award for Research
Our PhD Student, Kari Loverro, received the Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Dean’s Award at Boston University’s 2015 Graduate Research Symposium. Loverro presented her research on “Muscle Activation during Single Leg Squat Is Affected by Position of the Non-Stance Limb”.
Lab Member Carson Garvin Recognized
Our student lab member Carson Garvin was honored with the "outstanding poster" award at Boston University's 17th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium. Garvin presented her research on "The Effects of Service Dogs in Balance and Gait when Used as Assistive Devices for the Mobility Impaired".
Cara Lewis Receives Outstanding Mentor Award
Cara Lewis, assistant professor in the Department of Physical Therapy & Athletic Training, has been chosen to receive the Outstanding Mentor Award from the Boston University Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). Lewis is one of three 2014-2015 professors selected for this honor, based on undergraduate student nominations.
The 17th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium will be held on Friday, October 17, 2014 from 11-1:30 pm. More than 250 students from all disciples will present posters highlighting their summer research projects. The Symposium is a wonderful opportunity to see the various types of research conducted across the University.
Lewis will be presented with her award during a Symposium ceremony in the GSU Metcalf Ballroom from 1-1:30pm. All Sargent faculty, staff, and students are welcome to attend.
Bostonia: “Walk this Way”
Cara Lewis featured in Bostonia magazine.
Expert quote:
“My goal is to intervene early on, so that osteoarthritis doesn’t progress—or doesn’t even develop.”
Boston.com: Watch the Way you Walk
Cara Lewis featured on Boston.com.
Expert quote:
“They may not be pushing with their foot as much as they should be or they may be taking too long of a step, so their leg ends up far behind them.’’