Professor Steven Nesbit with Lafayette student Michael Elzinga, ME, 07, with his EXCEL project concerning bio mechanic modeling specific to tennis.

Marquis Scholar Michael Elzinga ’07 has analyzed the biomechanics of elite sprinters with the hope of designing equipment to exercise these athletes optimally. He has recorded the movements of sprinters with special cameras that create computer-simulated models in EXCEL research led by Steve Nesbit, associate professor and head of mechanical engineering.

“It’s amazing. I asked to do some EXCEL research and they basically said, ‘Here you go, you can work with this $300,000 system and we’re trusting you with that.’ I like that kind of trust and responsibility,” says Elzinga, who is seeking B.S. degrees in mechanical engineering and physics and participates in intramural sports. “You’re collecting data and figuring out how things work. I want to do design engineering and eventually own my own business. I definitely think this is a good step.”