About Max Paquette

Max R. Paquette, PhD earned a bachelor's degree in human kinetics and a master's degree in biomechanics under Dr. Lori Ann Vallis from the University of Guelph (Ontario, Canada). He completed his doctorate under Dr. Songning Zhang at the University of Tennessee in the area of biomechanics. He is currently an associate professor in the College of Health Sciences at the University of Memphis, director of the Musculoskeletal Analysis Laboratory and interim director of the Human Performance Center. He advises undergraduate internship students, master's students and doctoral students, and serves as the coordinator for the Applied Biomechanics doctoral program.

Dr. Paquette's research interests are largely focused on lower limb joint mechanics with regards to injury risk reduction and performance improvement. His primary research interests are focused on the effects of different footwear, fatigue/repetition, altered techniques and training interventions for injury prevention and performance improvement in runners. Dr. Paquette's research also focuses on the effects of exercise interventions and gait modifications on joint mechanics, and function in older individuals and athletes. 

Dr. Paquette actively collaborates with researchers from other institutions within the U.S. and around the world. He is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine and American Society for Biomechanics. Dr. Paquette consults for high school, collegiate and world-class track and field athletes and their coaches to optimize performance and reduce injury risks.

He competed as a collegiate athlete in cross country and track at the University of Guelph and served as team captain in 2008. During his collegiate career with the Guelph Gryphons, he won multiple national titles in cross country and track and in 2008, he was a national and Olympic trials finalist in the 3000m steeplechase. He is also the meet director for the Ed Murphey Classic. 

Education

PhD Kinesiology (Biomechanics) - University of Tennessee - 2012
MSc Human Health & Nutritional Sciences (Biomechanics) - University of Guelph - 2009
BSc Human Kinetics (Honors) - University of Guelph - 2007