UNO Biomechanics Director Nick Stergiou Named AAAS Fellow

A University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) researcher is set to receive one of the American scientific community’s highest honors.

➡️ What’s new: Nikolaos "Nick" Stergiou, Ph.D., assistant dean and director of the Division of Biomechanics and Research Development, will be recognized as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the organization announced.

💡 Why it matters:

• Election as a AAAS Fellow is a lifetime honor, and all Fellows are expected to maintain the highest standards of professional ethics and scientific integrity.
• Stergiou is the fifth AAAS fellow in the university’s history and the first since 1945.

🔎 Zoom in: Stergiou was elected for his “continuous community engagement and fundraising to expand public understanding of biomechanics and for visionary efforts to foster education about human movement variability around the world” in the General Interest in Science & Engineering section.

🎤 What they’re saying:

• Stergiou: “To be named a Fellow of the AAAS is deeply humbling. It’s a personal milestone, but it’s also a reflection of the incredible people and community behind UNO Biomechanics. This honor belongs to every student, colleague, partner, and supporter who believes that research in human movement can improve lives. Together, we’ve built something extraordinary at UNO: a place where science serves people, and excellence is expected.”
• Phil He, Ph.D., Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs: “Dr. Stergiou’s recognition as a AAAS Fellow is a testament to the standard he sets, in research and leadership. He leads by example, with vision, passion, and purpose. His work shows what’s possible when academic excellence and community impact go hand in hand.”
• Neal Grandgenett, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Education Health, and Human Sciences: “This award is a validation of a life’s work committed to scholarship, mentorship, and community impact. Dr. Stergiou has transformed how we understand movement, and in turn, how to make lives better. He’s a true Maverick.”
• Sara Myers, Ph.D., Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Creative Activity: “Election as a AAAS Fellow sends a powerful message about the caliber of research happening right here at UNO. As an urban metropolitan university, we’re proving that groundbreaking, globally relevant science can thrive in communities like ours. Dr. Stergiou has helped shape a research culture that’s innovative and impactful.”

⭐️ Career closeup:

• Pioneering researcher: Stergiou is internationally recognized for his groundbreaking work in human movement variability, a field he helped establish. His research has been continuously funded by prestigious agencies like the NIH, NASA, and NSF.
• Visionary leader: As founding chair of the Department of Biomechanics and current Assistant Dean of the Division of Biomechanics, he has built UNO into a global hub for innovation in biomechanics education and research, including in the development of UNO’s world class Biomechanics Research Building.
• Global collaborator: Stergiou has mentored over 60 graduate students and postdocs, published 240+ peer-reviewed articles, and serves in leadership roles across international scientific organizations, advancing the field worldwide.

🧑‍💻 Learn more: Read Stergiou’s full biography on the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (CEHHS) website.

⚡️What’s next: Stergiou and more than 400 fellows in this year’s class will be inducted at the Annual Fellow’s Forum in Washington, D.C., this summer.